Not Baby Pink or Butter Yellow: The Luxurious Hue That Every Chic Person Wears to Look "Rich"

Oh, summertime. What would we do without you? It's arguably the best season because of the freedom it gives us to explore, even if it's just a little weekend away or dressing scantily for no reason. You can see how easy it is to get caught up in the excitement of warmer temperatures. But there's usually a turning point in midsummer when my desire to not overheat outweighs any fantasies about frolicking around in the season's biggest trends. When it's sweltering hot, you need a fuss-free way to ensure you look cool, no matter the temperature. For the fashion set, that hack is wearing one specific color: white.

Call it cliché, but this color never fumbles when it comes to crafting the perfect summer outfit for a hot summer day. Sure, there are so many noteworthy color trends, but none embody rich-mom energy quite like this hue. It's not just because it's tough to keep white clothes clean, but because this shade can make the most straightforward staples look exuberant. Don't believe us? Ahead, we've rounded up 13 white summer outfit ideas that show the capital of this specific color. Whether you're a minimalist or maximalist, these outfits will convince you that this color is easy to wear and will have you feeling like a million bucks for the rest of the season.

WEAR: Butter Yellow Trench Coat + White T-Shirt + Black Capri Pants + East-to-West Shoulder Bag + Stacked Bangles + Red Thong Sandals

Style Notes: Just because white isn’t the "trendy” color of the moment doesn’t mean it can’t be trend-forward—case in point: the look above. The simplest way to make this hue feel fresh is by styling it with fashion-forward pieces, such as a butter-yellow coat, capri pants, stacked bangles, heeled thongs, and an east-to-west shoulder bag.

What You'll Need: White Waistcoat + Beige Mini Skirt + Bangles + Beige Handbag + White Mesh Flats

Styling Notes: One of the biggest potential hangups you might have about wearing all white is when you don't necessarily have separates that come in the same shade. Rather than letting that stop you from wearing an all-white look, lean into the contrast by pairing variations of white altogether. It's a sure-fire way to make the waistcoat or mini skirt in the back of your closet look all the more sophisticated.

WEAR: White Dress + Colorful Mules + Fringe Bag + Stacked Bangles + Sunglasses

Styling Notes: White dresses are a staple among the fashion set, for a good reason! This beloved piece acts as a blank canvas; the styling possibilities are endless, and you can’t go wrong. However, if you need a starting point, pairing it with fun accessories, such as colorful mules, is a surefire way to look chic this summer.

What You'll Need: White Suit Set + Raffia Handbag + Black Sunglasses + Black Mules

Styling Notes: Most suits already err on the luxe side, but when they look like the outfit above, they scream money. Of course, you don’t have to dole out all the dollars to look rich; you have to find a great white suit set. Pair it with mules and a raffia handbag for an outfit that will make you feel and look like a walking bank account.

What You'll Need: White T-Shirt + Black Necklace + White Maxi Skirt + Black Heels + Black Structured Handbag

Style Notes: Are you ready to make the most of this hue? Opt for a white t-shirt and matching maxi skirt styled with contrasting black accessories. You’ll prove that this minimal hue can make a maximum impact.

WEAR: White Button-Down + White Jeans + White Mesh Ballet Flats + Black Shoulder Bag + Black Belt

Style Notes: If you need further proof that this hue is far from vanilla, look no further than the outfit above. Pairing a white button-down top with white jeans and matching mesh ballet flats proves that this color can satisfy cravings you didn’t even know you had.

What You'll Need: White Slip Dress + White Cardigan + Gold Jewelry + Raffia Bucket Bag + Black Thong Sandals

Style Notes: Although this color can instantly make anything chicer, if you want to embody that drip, invest in at least one white slip dress. It's the one piece that will always look polished, no matter what you pair it with this summer.

What You'll Need: Gold Hoops + Aviator Sunglasses + White Top + Matching Skirt + Colorful Bag + Sandals

Style Notes: Not to be a broken record, but is there any easier way to look elegant than with an all-white look? Nothing beats wearing a white puff-sleeve top with a matching skirt, colorful bag, sandals, and a good pair of sunglasses—it’s truly the pinnacle of perfection.

What You'll Need: All-White Look With One-Piece + Cover-Up + Earrings + Sunglasses

Style Notes: Consider this your public service announcement that there’s possibly no better way to dip your toe into embracing an all-white ensemble this summer than embracing it for a beach day. You may not be at a beach in the Riviera, but if you wear a head-to-toe white look, you’ll look like you came fresh off the boat.

What You'll Need: White V-Neck Sweater + Matching Midi Skirt + Black Thong Sandals + Oversized Black Sunglasses + Black Handbag

Style Notes: For those late summer days when temperatures finally begin to drop, you don’t have to ditch this hue immediately. You can transition this tint into the fall by opting for pieces that lend themselves well to transitional pieces (e.g., a white sweater can be worn with a white skirt and heeled flip-flops in the summer and boots and layers in the fall). Forget the rules regarding this color and have fun with it.

What You'll Need: White Set + Woven Bag + Thong Sandals + Sunglasses

Style Notes: Honestly, we can’t think of better proof of the power of this shade than this ensemble. A white blouse paired with matching shorts, a woven bag, and thongs seems simple enough, yet it’s so damn stylish.

WEAR: White Blazer + White Tank Top + Black Shorts + Woven Flats + Black Clutch + Black Sunglasses + Black Belt

Style Notes: Happen to be one of those people who can’t quite justify a full white frock? We get it; maybe you are accident-prone or don’t like monochrome outfits. A simple way to break up this color is by pairing it with other neutrals—e.g., a white blazer and tank top paired with black shorts and matching woven flats.

What You'll Need: Kerchief Scarf + Oversized Aviators + Statement Earrings + White Shirt Dress + White Mesh Ballet Flats + Black Shoulder Bag

Style Notes: You’ve made it to the end of this story, and hopefully, you’ve realized that this color can make even the simplest outfits feel special. A white shirt dress can be turned into a whole moment if paired with statement earrings, a headscarf, a shoulder bag, and matching mesh ballet flats. But beyond this look, your beloved staples and everyday ensembles can feel more elegant if you’re courageous enough to wear white.