I'm Convinced This Elegant, Zero-Effort Outfit Is the Shortcut to Looking More Expensive

As a stain-prone person, I wasn't sure I could pull off this incredibly chic trend until I saw these 11 looks.

An image of all-white outfits for women.
(Image credit:Best Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK)

At least once a week, I like to live dangerously. And by that, I mean I slip into an elegant all-white outfit, despite the fact that I have one seriously messy toddler and drink a copious amount of tea and coffee. (Read: prone to staining.)

But, as is often the case when it comes to fashion, the heart wins over the head! An all-white outfit is sumptuously sophisticated and inherently expensive-looking, even if you haven't spent a fortune on it.

Why? You need only look to '90s feminist feel-good films like The First Wives Club and Natasha Richardson's Elizabeth James from The Parent Trap for proof that a monochromatic white silhouette is a shortcut to chicness. Those matching milky pant suits worn by Goldie Hawn, Diane Keaton and Bette Midler in the 1996 cult classic live rent free in our minds here at Who What Wear.)

An image of all-white outfits for women.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

A flurry of all-white outfits sashayed down the runways this year, from the billowy lace dresses seen at Richard Quinn to sleek, relaxed tailoring at Victoria Beckham. If that's not enough to get you excited, the style-set has been showing us a myriad of cool and easy ways to wear the tricky trend, proving that there's no better time than summer to take on the style. (Although, I do advise keeping dark coloured drinks and the sticky hands of kids at a safe distance!)

An image of @haileybieber wearing an all-white outfit for women.

(Image credit: @haileybieber)

The key to pulling off the trend this summer is to play with textures, layering, and volume, which will keep your look interesting. Also, don't be afraid of breaking up the look with contrasting accessories, from suede bags to gold jewellery.

An image of @sylviemus__ wearing an all-white outfit for women.

(Image credit: @sylviemus__)

If an all-white outfit feels a little daunting, you don't have to feel confined to the tone, either. Break up the frosty shades by adding buttery neutrals or contrasting pieces. Of course, you don't need to feel alone in this styling pursuit. Ahead, I've compiled some seriously cool all-white outfits for women to help you tackle the trend in style. See and shop them all below.

11 Elegant All-White Outfits for Women

1. Lace Top + Ecru Jeans + Silk Scarf

An image of wearing an all-white outfit for women.

(Image credit: @hoskelsa)

Style Notes: A sheer lace top and off-white denim is the ultimate all-white spin on 'jeans and a nice top'. I love how perennial style muse Elsa Hosk pairs hers with a silky scarf bandana and tan leather bag to strike a balance between holiday dressing and an elevated everyday look.

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2. Satin Scoop Neck Dress + Strappy Sandals + Minimal Accessories

An image of @smythsisters wearing an all-white outfit for women.

(Image credit: @smythsisters)

Style Notes: When warm weather rises, our interest in layering on multiple pieces wanes. Marianne Smyth of @smythsisters knows this all to well, showcasing a breezy all-white outfit for women can be as simple as throwing on a beautiful dress. This silhouette is a more mature version of the slip dress trend that she wore on holiday in Palma de Mallorca, elevating the silhouette slightly by swapping thin bucatini straps for a rounded scoop neckline.

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3. Ribbed Tank Top + Silk Skirt + Pointed Toe Mules

An image of @sylviemus_ wearing an all-white outfit for women.

(Image credit: @sylviemus_)

Style Notes: Take cues from '90s fashion trends and Parisian style muses by pairing a ribbed tank top—a style that's become one of the biggest markers of taste and fashion knowledge in recent years—with a silk slip skirt. The combination of textures breaks the ensemble up and brings in some dimension that adds a sense of intrigue and prowess.

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4. Polo Top + Pleated Wide Leg Trousers + Boat Shoes

An image of @pernilleteisbaek wearing an all-white outfit for women.

(Image credit: @pernilleteisbaek)

Style Notes: There are so many ways to interpret an all-white outfit for women. What I particularly enjoy about this look from Danish content creator Pernille Teisbæk is that it doesn't obviously scream "I'm wearing one colour". Sure, the tan leather belt and boat shoes help break up the ribbed polo top and wide-leg pleated trousers. But as a whole, it feels quite authentic and lived in. If you're looking to replicate this outfit—minus the Bottega Veneta canvas Andiamo bag—we'd recommend looking into Scandi spins on the quiet luxury aesthetic and the looks worn by locals in Montauk and Monte Carlo.

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5. Baggy White T-Shirt + Lace Skirt + Flip Flops

An image of @chloekathbutler wearing an all-white outfit for women.

(Image credit: @chloekathbutler )

Style Notes: Another way to explore wearing all-white is to tinker with varying fit and fineness. Pairing oversized shapes with sheer pieces is a way to subvert more conservative associations with monochromatic looks, as the bagginess of an enlarged white t-shirt perfectly counters the sensuality of skin-baring lace skirts.

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6. Knit Top + Cargo Pants + Trench Coat

An image of @monikh wearing an all-white outfit for women.

(Image credit: @monikh)

Style Notes: As summer weather in London can oftentimes be unpredictable at best, it would be remiss of me not to include a slightly cooler take on all-white dressing. While you can easily amend this look to suit hotter climates, I honestly am so enthralled by how Monikh Dale translated wintery fabrics like knits and waterproof nylon into something very light and airy.

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7. Mini Dress + Slingback Heels + Gold Jewellery

An image of @abimarvel wearing an all-white outfit for women.

(Image credit: @abimarvel )

Style Notes: When Aperol Spritz and park-side reads are the only thing on your mind, take cues from Abisola Omole and throw on a pretty mini dress to satisfy your all-white outfit needs. A chintzy shoe will always go a long way when you're sticking to one colour, too.

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8. Structured Dress + Backless Flats + '90s Sunglasses

An image of @kendalljenner wearing an all-white outfit for women.

(Image credit: @kendalljenner)

Style Notes: Kendall Jenner rarely does outré eveningwear, so this Rodarte dress is about as bold as she'll go. I believe we could all learn a thing or two from her unwavering devotion to minimalism. Mainly, if you're sticking to wearing one colour, make a splash with decadent flourishes and sculptural finishes.

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9. Tie-Up Jacket + Satin Trousers + Strap Sandals

An image of @anoukyve wearing an all-white outfit for women.

(Image credit: @anoukyve)

Style Notes: If there is one thing that chic French, English and Danish women can all agree on, it's that a tie-waist blazers is the epitome of elegance. The cinched in effect creates an hourglass shape that helps give your look more of a tapered silhouette. But to up the ante even further, pair the jacket with your favourite cream satin trousers for an effortlessly glamorous all-white outfit for women.

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10. Linen Mini Dress + Knee-High Boots

An image of @lizzyhadfield wearing an all-white outfit for women.

(Image credit: @lizzyhadfield)

Style Notes: Take cues from the '60s and the Slim Aarons era where all-white dressing was normalised by wearing a sweet A-line mini dress with knee high boots.

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11. Bermuda Shorts + Blazer + Contrasting Top

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(Image credit: @anoukyve)

Style Notes: Relaxed shorts suits continue to be much loved among the style set. Opt for long shorts and a blazer in lightweight fabrics, and break up the look with a contrasting black tee.

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Judith Jones
Associate Shopping Director

Judith Jones is the associate shopping director atBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing and has worked in fashion for over a decade. She specializes in shopping content and trend stories with high-affiliate impact. She shares the coolest, most desirable fashion market finds and brands for every budget. Previous to working in fashion, Judith worked as a TV host on the PBS travel show Globe Trekker (airing on Netflix and Amazon Prime) sharing her passion for travel and culture.

With contributions from