Variations on Summer Whites, Ocean Blues

I actually created this outfit late last summer, and dubbed it "Summer Whites, Ocean Blues". I love this outfit! First, lets break it down into the Cheap-Cute Scoop:

White denim leggings, Walmart, $12
White lacy sandals, Payless, ~$15
White lace scarf, Charming Charlie (I think), <$15
Sleeveless top, Walmart, ~$15

Right? Okay, the other day, now that it's February, I paired this same top with dark blue skinny jeans, and topped it with my white crocheted cardigan (Woman Within) and white canvas peep-toe pumps with cork wedge heels (Payless, sugar).

Let's talk about white in winter: It's perfectly fine. There used to be a hard and fast fashion rule that white was not to be worn from Labor Day until Easter every year. Some time in the 1970s, "winter white" appeared on the scene, but it was not quite white and it was worn in very limited ways, like only one garment and never a purse or shoes or a whole dress.

That old rule died several years ago, according to the experts. However, being the Good Southern Girl I am, it took me quite some time to embrace the white-in-winter. Of course, living in the South also means that winters are typically mild, so whites are even more practical. If you happen to live where there is dirty snow and slush, like Chicago, you will probably want to save your whites for summer, or just have a peep of white here and there--maybe a white turtleneck sticking out of your parka!

Okay, get out there and Shop Cheap, Look Cute!