How to wear the all white menswear trend

Tonal dressing is in, and for spring/summer menswear, designers are looking to the light

Sunday 01 April 2018 13:18 EDT

Models at Billionaire’s show during Men’s Fashion Week in Milan: like the Man from Del Monte, you too can say ‘yes’ to such an ensemble

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Are you the kind of guy that likes to dress on the dark side? Well now is the time to lighten up, because a menswear whiteout is imminent.

Spring/summer is the perfect time to add something a little brighter to your wardrobe, but for 2018 things are being turned up a notch thanks to tonal dressing – by which we mean wearing the same hue, or variations of it, from head to toe.

From soft vanilla to brilliant and sharp white, designers have been attracted to the light this season, with the likes of Xander Zhou showcasing tonal looks inspired by Nineties officewear.

Here, formalwear like tailored trousers and shirts in stark shades were worn together, and broken up with flashes of yellow or red.

Elsewhere, Billionaire sent a series of all-white ensembles down its runway – the standout of which consisted of form-fitting bottoms paired with a white roll-neck and utility jacket.

But while wearing head-to-toe white might not look out of place on a sun-kissed model strutting down the catwalk, how does a gent plagued by the realities of British weather pull it off?

Albam, GD Utility Jacket White, £199, The Idle Man

The key here is to stick to some basic rules. Firstly, you can differentiate your look by wearing different variations of white in one ensemble – think cream, ivory, eggshell and light beige – as well as mixing in super-light greys and sharp cuts of black or colour for contrast.

Similarly, you can create clear separation through texture by combining fabrics like cotton with leather to keep your look visually rich.

Common Projects, Original Achilles Leather Sneakers, £290, Mr Porter

Most importantly though is to wear it with conviction. Committing to one colour is by no means an easy feat, but master it and your look will smack of sartorial confidence.