Winter white combines well with different light shades and textures, possibly complemented with navy or coffee brown. Different fabrics stop the outfit from looking flat. This is how white works well in winter too.
White in winter: a question of attitude
For a long time white counted as a colour for summer. Cream, ivory and off-white can work perfectly well in the cold months too. Cream, ivory and off-white combine easily with dark winter shades. Different shades and structures give more depth.
With an understated style the emphasis is above all on material, fit and calm colours. At Issu & Lloyd it is about timeless pieces you wear for years, and light colours in winter belong to that.
The difference between white, cream and ivory
| Shade | Undertone | Combine with |
|---|---|---|
| White | Fresh and cool | Navy, black and grey |
| Cream | Warm and soft | Coffee brown, beige and camel |
| Ivory | Between white and cream | Almost everything, especially wool and silk |
| Pearl cream | Pinkish, soft | Taupe, grey and bordeaux |
Build the look in layers
- Base: Josephine is a knitted polo with V-neck in cream, made of 79.9% viscose, 20.1% polyamide. The soft shade suits any dark trousers.
- Middle layer: Eleanor is a ribbed knitted cardigan in white. Wear it open over a blouse or buttoned up as a sweater.
- Bottom half: Daphni is a pair of pleated trousers with a flared leg in cream, of 95% polyester, 5% elastane. A complete look in the same family is then done.
- Blouse: Rosamund is a lavallière blouse with satin look in pearl cream, made of 96% acetate 4% elastane. A soft lavallière collar gives the look a romantic accent.
For him: cream in autumn and winter
Winter white works for men too. Alistair is a knitted piqué polo with stripe detail in cream, of 80.5% viscose, 19.5% polyamide. Wear it under a navy jacket or under a dark coat and combine it with grey or coffee brown trousers. This way the cream shade looks refined instead of bright.
Structure is the key
With a completely light outfit, different textures help to tell the parts apart. Knit, ribbed, satin and wool each reflect the light differently. That gives the look depth. If everything has the same sheen, the outfit looks flat. So try to bring together a knitted top, a smooth blouse and matte trousers. Read more about the softness of cashmere and merino wool, two fibres that give light colours a rich look.
How do you work with light and dark?
Winter light is soft and low, and light colours reflect that light onto your face. Light colours reflect more light than darker shades. Above all choose the shade of white or cream that you yourself find pleasant with your skin and hair. Keep a light colour near your face and a dark colour further away, such as navy trousers under a cream top.
Example: a complete winter white look
Start with Daphni as a base and combine it with a knitted top in a slightly warmer shade. Add a cardigan in off-white and choose shoes in taupe or coffee brown. Wear a long wool coat in camel or grey, and choose a bag in the same warm colour. All the light shades then lie close together, while the coat provides depth.
A second variant for the office: a white blouse under a navy cardigan, cream trousers and brown loafers. Here the contrast is greater, but the colours stay soft. This keeps the look businesslike and yet warm.
Accessories in winter
Choose scarves, gloves and hats in warm neutral colours. A cream scarf under a dark coat gives light around your face. Wear jewellery in gold or silver, depending on the undertone of the colour you are wearing. Gold and silver can both work; choose the metal you like wearing most. Keep it small: one fine piece of jewellery is enough.
Deep accents that work
A winter white look gains strength with one dark colour. Navy, coffee brown and bordeaux each give a different contrast with winter white. Add that colour in your coat, bag or shoes and leave the rest in light shades. This makes the outfit look planned. You will find more inspiration in our women's collection.
Shoes and coats with winter white
Shoes are the part that sees the most dirt. So choose shoes in a dark or mid shade, such as brown, taupe or black. Light shoes in winter need constant upkeep and can make the whole look patchy. A coat in camel, grey or navy keeps the light layers protected from rain and wind and gives a calm frame.
Caring for light colours
Light clothing needs a little more attention, especially in autumn and winter when rain and dirt increase. Do not wear white clothing straight after a rain shower without first shaking out your coat. Wash light pieces separately from dark clothing, so the shade stays bright. Treat stains according to the care label and the material and check the care instructions.
Store light clothing in a wardrobe with enough space, so it does not take on the colour of dark fabrics. That prevents shades from turning dull. This way a winter white wardrobe stays beautiful for years.
An example week in light shades
Monday: cream polo with navy trousers. Wednesday: ivory blouse with a dark skirt. Friday: knitted cardigan over a white top, with black trousers. This way you wear light colours all week without it becoming dull.
Shop the look
Josephine: knitted polo with V-neck, cream
Eleanor: ribbed knitted cardigan, white
Daphni: trousers with flared leg, cream
Rosamund: lavallière blouse, pearl cream
Alistair: knitted piqué polo, cream
Frequently asked questions
Can you wear white in winter?
Yes. Choose cream, ivory and off-white in different structures and add one deep colour for contrast.
Which colour combines best with cream?
Coffee brown, navy and beige. For a softer look, combine cream with taupe or grey.
Does white get dirty quickly in winter?
It needs a little more attention, but with good care and separate washing it stays bright.
What if the colour is different from what I expected?
Returns cost from €5. The refund follows within 14 days.
