William Travilla, the designer of Marilyn Monroe’s iconic white halter-neck outfit in The Seven Year Itch, called it “that silly little dress”. Yes, that was the one where she stood on top of a New York subway grate and battled an updraft. In 2011, that very dress was auctioned off for USD 4.6 million. Sixty years later, the little white dress (LWD) is still popular, and is making a comeback this summer, and with good reason.
Although LBDs (Little Black Dress) are touted as every woman’s best friend when it comes to deciding what to wear, the LWD lends an ethereal look, and can be styled for any occasion. “You can think of LWD as the little black dress’ summer rival,” says the designer duo Diya Aroraa and Rajvvir Aroraa of the label DiyaRajvvir. “Being a neutral shade, it’s versatile for both day and evening wear. It’s a go-to staple of the season, but one we also love for the fall,” they add. Designer Karn Malhotra opines, “White is a soothing colour, especially for the harsh Indian sun. From being an evening bodycon dress with hints of colour block elements, to an alluring white slip dress for a brunch, you cannot go wrong with the ivory shades.” Clearly, even turtlenecks work in white, as Sharon Stone showcased in Basic Instinct .
The modern avatar of the LWD is credited to André Courrèges, who, in his 1965 spring/summer collection, showcased a “moon girl” look that sparked a resurgence of the style. Although white was never out of style — as a symbol of purity, it was popular since the early 19th Century. Now, of course, there is a style of LWD to suit every mood and body type, occasion and event; it also helps that the colour suits almost every skin tone.
Mumbai-based designer Dimple Raghani, says, “For a sporty, casual look, opt for skater or frill dresses paired with sneakers. For a formal look, pick a fitted bodycon dress with minimal accessories. The same ensemble could be paired with a brightly-coloured blazer to add freshness and a spark of personality.” Diya and Rajvvir suggest a cotton or linen shirt dress or sun dress for casual dos, paired with leather accessories, tie-ups or gladiator-style footwear and a tan fringed suede bag. “For a feminine look, floral head gear and a lace cape will be apt. Go formal with a stylish cocktail dress with slight embellishments or hand-painted floral motifs,” they suggest.
When it comes to accessorising, Karn advises using pop colours “like hot pink, lemon yellow or tangerine to colour-block the look. But make sure you use only one colour and in only one area, be it a bag, bold lip or footwear. Don’t overdo it.” Vandana Jagwani, creative head at Mahesh Notandass Fine Jewellery, echoes this, saying, “Pair a vibrant-coloured accessory like coral or turquoise earrings or a statement ring with bold motifs. The LWD leaves a lot of room to play with funky as well as simple jewellery.” She recommends stylish palm cuffs or ear cuffs and stacking bracelets of varying sizes, colours and textures or gold bangles with coin or tassel hangings. However, go classic for an evening out, with a diamond or emerald ring or pendant, depending on the style and silhouette of the ensemble, says Vandana. For a dash of elegance, a string of pearls will do the trick nicely.
While the summery LWD is appealing, designers are sure that it won’t be edging out the LBD anytime soon. Dimple says, “LBDs have ruled for ages, no matter what the season is. This summer, the LWD is taking centre-stage on ramps and in street fashion as well.” The Aroraa’s reiterate that while it’s perfect for an afternoon soirée, brunch or sun-downer, “We believe it can never overpower the classic LBD, for it can never go wrong.”
