SS17 key item: The new white dress

White is a long-time summer favourite but for SS17 it has moved up a gear with designers in New York turning it into a star piece.

Why so popular? the clue is in its versatility. White can be clinical and minimalist. It can be soft and pretty. It can be crisp and businesslike. It can be… well, whatever you want it to be.

Designers have played with white at all lengths this season although it appears to be an important choice for longer lengths where a vast expanse of pristine white helps ram home the massage that no colour is a key colour choice.

But look closely and you can see that they’ve been careful to add in a touch of colour - that could be a trim on the dress itself or the contrast of coloured shoes and accessories.

There’s also textural interest with soft sheen, plissé, crochet, and broderie anglaise ensuring that white is very far from basic.

Cut your cloth into any of the season’s favourite silhouettes from the star trapeze dress to a timeless shirtdress, a boho tunic to a knit piece with a hint of asymmetry or bodycon.