Whether for the holidays or everyday, most women have plenty of black dresses, skirts, tops, shoes, etc….it is elegant, chic, and a no brainer! I certainly am a huge fan of black, but it is refreshing every now and then to go in the complete opposite direction – to the power of white!  Bright white OR winter white, both are great for year round wear….the key to not looking like you are dressed for summer is to avoid linens and thin cottons; most synthetic blends are perfect, such as these separates from BCBG… If you are petite and want to create a ‘wow’ appearance, it is best to wear the same color top and bottom….it makes you look taller and creates a more dramatic look……along the same line, wearing a nude shoe will elongate the legs and keep the focus on the outfit…..here I chose taupe patent peep toe pumps by Stuart Weitzman…..a red shoe would be another fun option during the holidays, but avoid black which would be too heavy… The BCBG top is a mock turtleneck in a fishnet material….underneath I am wearing a nude camisole with a built in bra, also from BCBG.  Very comfortable!  The belt:  all Swarovski crystals – purchased for my wedding in 2011, this is the first time I have worn it since… The final touch: a simple metallic clutch purchased quite a few years back at JCrew…..my small Louis Vuitton was too heavy looking, and a crystal bag would be too much sparkle….this seems like the right balance to shine without being blinding! What’s great about these BCBG pieces is that I can wear them separately in many different ways – to work or after hours…..if only I could find a bright white blazer – have been shopping for ‘the perfect one’ without luck, so the search continues…..have you seen one like this?

Here’s a unique shopping challenge for you:  make a pact with yourself before you enter the store: ONLY BUYING WHITE TODAY. Give it a try!