The little black dress has always been a popular wardrobe choice due to both its versatility and simplicity. This summer the black dress has a rival which is really on trend and just as versatile and wearable as  its darker counterpart. White dresses have a certain innocence about them and are a refreshing  change to the summer’s must have  bright colours, patterns and prints. The colour white is one of the key shades this summer and is perfectly in keeping with the huge minimalist trend that we are seeing everywhere.

If you are worried that white looks a little bit boring then you shouldn’t be. Bright white can be just as eyecatching as bold and colourful prints and it can also act as  a blank canvas for all sorts of bright and colourful accessories as well as being worn on its own for a much simpler look. Rather than focusing on colour a white dress can be interesting on a whole different level. A more subtle variety of interesting textures can make a white dress incredibly stylish.

One thing to look out for when searching for the perfect white summer dress is transparency. White fabric can be see through and show your underwear which is not  a great look. Always hold white clothes up to the light before wearing them to see how see through they are. For dresses and skirts, you should look for either thick fabrics or thinner fabrics with a lining. You should always ensure that you wear some white or skin coloured underwear.

White is an ideal choice for the summer as it is bright, light and will keep you cool in the sun. White also looks amazing with a sun tan and will make tanned skin look more obvious.  You should aim to keep your white dress really clean and white to ensure that it always has maximum impact. You can buy products which will restore your whites to there original brightness to keep them looking great.

This beautiful white crinkle cotton dress (pictured above) is perfect for the summer. It has a combination of crinkled cotton and silver embroidery. It is lined to avoid it being see through and has wide shoulder straps making it easy to wear without revealing bra straps.

For a simple casual look try wearing your white dress with a pair of brown or tan sandals. You could also add wooden beads or bangles and a brown leather  belt. For a much brighter look you can try combining a white dress with almost any colour. How about lots of multi colour necklaces or a bright red pair of shoes. If you want to really work the boho trend, then a denim jacket, some gladiator sandals and a fringed bag are just what you need.  Silver accessories including metallic sandals would also look great or you could add a big straw hat and straw or coloured beach bag for a cool and elegant holiday outfit.

Avoid wearing with all white accessories as this could look too much.