An All White Affair

Summer time is finally here. Besides summer bunnies, barbecues and vacations, there are other things in summer to look forward to...especially the one, the only, the classic.... summer "All white party"!

Some white parties can be more formal than others (i.e. some parties may require you to dress in all white from top to bottom); while other parties may be a bit more casual. Whatever the case may be, here are some general tips to look fresh at an all white affair:

Wear WHITE - As obvious as it may sound, you would be surprised about how many off white dress shirts you can find in a boutique or department store. If you are not sure if a dress shirt is white or off white, compare the item to a different article of clothing that is certifiably white. Just because the tag on the item claims that the dress shirt is white, it does not necessarily mean that it is the white you need.

Linen is not mandatory- A nice linen shirt is usually a guy’s first choice when dressing for an all white party. Try to be a little more creative this year and explore your options a bit. A white v-neck or short sleeve dress shirt is just as nice as a linen shirt, but distinctly classic.

Ditch the Cap. White hats are a little lame. Just don't do it! It looks tacky and somewhat whack!

Accessorize. Consider wearing a chain or necklace. Since you and every other guy in the party will be wearing white, this will help you stand out. If you are choosing to wear white shoes, you might want to sport a white watch to complete the fit. Similarly, if you are wearing a silver chain, wear a silver watch to compliment.

Haters on Layers. Unless its an upscale professional event, try not to overdo it by layering up (i.e. wearing a blazer) Choosing to wear a jacket or sweater will lead to a lot of sweating and will stain your outfit. Remember, don't do too much... it is the summer time!

Get the right fit. As we all know, white clothing can make a person appear plumper than they really are. Therefore, you really want to make sure that you wear a flattering fit. Ask your friends about how your outfit looks. Their brutal honesty will end up working in your favor.

White Blazers: This is always a touchy subject because a white blazer is usually a big hit or a big miss. If you are going to wear one, try to make sure it is little snugger than your usual blazer. Also, by wearing a white blazer, you are pretty much ensuring that you understand the need to wear white shoes as well. If you wear black shoes and/or black belt with a white blazer, you may appear tacky. Also remember to wear a white blazer with a lightly colored shirt (white, beige, silver or a pastel).

Those Jeans: Medium to dark colored jeans will work as long as they compliment your white outfit. If you really want to make an impression, try wearing white jeans. But be careful. All white jeans are tricky to pull off. Make sure you buy some classy thin material ones.

White Jeans: Yeah I know what you’re thinking. But despite your ill assumptions, white jeans are making a comeback. More importantly, they can be a classy addition to your all white outfit. It offers a clean but super casual look to your unique style.

Shades: Try to wear sunglasses that are not black. Black shades, white outfit, too predictable...too boring.

Simple Shoes. Wear either nice designer sneakers or loafers. There is no point in spending a lot of money on nice white dress shoes when they will end up being dark brown dress shoes by the end of the night. Make sure that the shoes you wear are a pair of shoes that you won’t mind getting a little dirty.

Everybody enjoys an all white party! So hit up as many all white parties as you can while the summer lasts. As always, party in style and enjoy.