https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/analyzing-fear-of-white Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 08 May 2026 10:19:39 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/analyzing-fear-of-white#post-933204 Wed, 15 May 2013 19:40:16 +0000 Adelfa 933204@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love patent sandals in the summer. But I've had two pairs of ballet flats (winter wear for me) with patent toe caps. Love. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/analyzing-fear-of-white#post-933194 Wed, 15 May 2013 19:28:46 +0000 rachylou 933194@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Say what? Is that true?<br /><br />It's a good thing no one ever told me that. Or maybe someone tried, but you could not wrestle my patents away from when I was 5.<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/analyzing-fear-of-white#post-933188 Wed, 15 May 2013 19:27:04 +0000 DonnaF 933188@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am wearing white jeans right now!&nbsp; I bought my first two pairs ever last spring or summer, but it took me awhile to get up the nerve to wear them.&nbsp; Also, I kept thinking that a cheaper, more perfect pair might be around the corner.&nbsp; A few weeks ago, I bought a white jeans skirt.&nbsp; It is a tad shorter than I would have preferred, but I didn't want to shell out an extra $10 - $20 to get a longer white jeans skirt elsewhere.<br /><br />The size magnification thing kept me from wearing white bottoms, but a bit of boredom triggered my purchases.&nbsp; I am trying to get away from wearing so much black and so am buying garments that are both black and white.&nbsp; And white goes with black &amp; white!&nbsp; I doubt that I will buy white shoes until they bookend my hair, however.<br /><br />Fear of filth keeps/has kept me from wearing white more often.&nbsp; Sitting down at various stages of public transportation can be gross.&nbsp; I also tend to lean or brush up against dirty stuff.&nbsp; And potlucks where I am conversing/listening more than I am paying attention to my actions?&nbsp; I am a little picky and choosy about where I wear my whites.&nbsp; But as a solution, I wear white more often so I do a white load more often so stains don't set due to sitting for weeks.<br /><br /><br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/analyzing-fear-of-white#post-933180 Wed, 15 May 2013 19:19:26 +0000 T-Rex 933180@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Speaking of silly, outdated fashion rules...<br /><br />Patent leather shoes used to be considered appropriate only for spring and summer. This makes no sense to me. Where did that even come from? https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/analyzing-fear-of-white#post-933119 Wed, 15 May 2013 18:10:13 +0000 rachylou 933119@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I put together an all-white outfit, prompted by Angie. It's part of my Saturday capsule now. Relaxed and hippie-fied to increase my comfort level. It is actually a super comfy outfit. I don't think I'm cured yet of hating on white, but I'm trying to stretch, and I do like this one outfit.<br /><br />There are number of things about white that bother me. First, I always envision it in a super preppy outfit, very stiff and frumpy; it's hard for me to break free from this idea. Second, white can really feel unfinished to me - like just the primer coat waiting for the real paint. Third, white makes me spill things on to it. Fourth, I find it a singularly unique challenge to match whites... I could go on. I'm just a white hater.<br /><br />I'm gonna push myself into a white jacket soon, tho. I shouldn't let hate hold me back, right?<br /><br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/analyzing-fear-of-white#post-933107 Wed, 15 May 2013 17:56:25 +0000 Isabel 933107@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Great post. &nbsp;My fear isn't so much white as it is dirt ! &nbsp;LOL. &nbsp;My little girl loves white and just got a denim jacket and I am washing ever other night and spot cleaning in between. I did get a pair of white jeans last year and I am loving them. But it is alot of work.&nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/analyzing-fear-of-white#post-933106 Wed, 15 May 2013 17:56:20 +0000 Janet 933106@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm a bit wary of white too, although I LOVE white tops and my white denim jacket.&nbsp;I'm pale, but with my dark hair, wearing all white feels a little unbalanced somehow. Plus I worry about looking like the Good Humor man. I somehow feel more VISIBLE wearing white -- it's so bright and eye catching when my comfort zone lies far more in the direction of darker tones.&nbsp;<br /><br />I've been especially reluctant to wear white bottoms because I have big hips and thighs and I worry about making them look even bigger. When I do wear white on the bottom, I try to wear something with&nbsp;a strong shoulder line on top&nbsp;to try to balance my figure out more.&nbsp;<br /><br />Last weekend I did wear my white jeans with a silver sleeveless top, with a partial tuck and a white belt, and metallic sandals. I did really enjoy wearing that outfit, but I didn't get pics. It looked good in the mirror, so I hope it looked OK in public!&nbsp;<br /><br />I was pleased that I actually got not two, but three wears out of my white jeans before I felt like they needed to go in the wash. For once I didn't splash pasta sauce or something on myself!&nbsp;<br /><br />White shoes seem to still be a point of reluctance for me. I had some white sandals that I eventually got rid of, and I never replaced them (opted for metallic instead).&nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/analyzing-fear-of-white#post-933079 Wed, 15 May 2013 17:27:38 +0000 ClaraT 933079@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm scared of white jackets (scientist here; wore lab coats for years so they *all* give me lab coat flash backs) and white shoes (sightseeing in Paris: frumpy tourists with Big White Sneakers). Of course, I like cute white jackets and shoes on others-both can be worn stylishly-but not on myself!<br /><br />I'm not scared of white shirts or white jeans, and wear both (but not usually together). I wear my white jeans all the time (they wash well).&nbsp;<br /><br />Funny how strong early associations can linger... https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/analyzing-fear-of-white#post-933078 Wed, 15 May 2013 17:27:32 +0000 Elizabeth P 933078@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I used to always have a pair of white pants.&nbsp; Then for some reason, I stopped.&nbsp; I think that reason is now 9 years old... :)&nbsp;&nbsp; So last year I bought some white work pants, and some white capri's.&nbsp; This year... I've added three pairs of white jeans (so far, a pair of the Kut's on the way...).&nbsp; So I guess I'm smitten too.&nbsp; Or slightly crazy.<br /><br />And know what?&nbsp; My white pants DIDN'T need washing after every wear last year!<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/analyzing-fear-of-white#post-933074 Wed, 15 May 2013 17:21:03 +0000 Mo 933074@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ LOL @ spillypants! &nbsp;<br />I was looking back at last year's photos in FL and saw I had white on over half the time. &nbsp;I have no issues with wearing it. &nbsp;<br />I did buy my first pair of white jeans in a long time in the dead of winter a few years ago. &nbsp;No seasonal issues here, either. &nbsp;I will say white shoes are a bit touchier. &nbsp;I can see them go into frumpdom if done wrong. &nbsp;I'm talking ladies dress shoes, here, not boots or sandals or such. &nbsp;<br />My white jeans did get some dirty snow smudges on the hems,&nbsp;but they were too long. &nbsp;Once I got them tailored, that dirty part of the hem disappeared. &nbsp;Fixed! &nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/analyzing-fear-of-white#post-933054 Wed, 15 May 2013 17:03:02 +0000 Angie 933054@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ KKards, we wear white <b><i>YEAR ROUND</i></b>. I wear my white jeans in Winter. I can't stress this point enough. Please enjoy wearing your white items asap :)<br /><br />Putting a boundary of time as to when you should and shouldn't wear white has got to be the most chuckle-worthy "fashion rule" in the books!!!! I'm finished every time I hear it!&nbsp; I'm not American. Don't even know when Memorial Day is, although I now have my head around Thanksgiving Day. The holiday season starts at the end of Nov in countries that celebrate Xmas in a big way - like the US, Western Europe and Canada. <br /><br />Shannon, I think you're Ms. Cleverpants. <br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/analyzing-fear-of-white#post-933046 Wed, 15 May 2013 16:53:47 +0000 kkards 933046@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ i&nbsp;had a white pair of pants on this morning, and then changed at last minute. why??? fear that people will point because i am wearing white before memorial day (question for you non americans, with out memorial day, how do you know when its "ok" to start wearing white, and while we are taking, with out thanksgiving on thursday in november, followed by black friday, how do you know that the holiday season has started?). fear, as suz mentioned, that i will have a jr high flashback. fear that i will spill my lunch. <br />now that i see all this in black and white, i vow to wear my white pants tomorrow! https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/analyzing-fear-of-white#post-932975 Wed, 15 May 2013 15:28:46 +0000 Transcona Shannon 932975@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Wow, can I ever relate Adelfa. Up until last summer when Angie and YLF convinced me to buy my first pair of white jeans EVER, I was sure I would not wear this color. Not because I have any negative associations, but because I am Mrs. Spillypants. I was sure anything white would not stay that way. I've realized now how ridiculous that is and have become completely smitten with white from tops to bottoms, jackets to shoes to handbags.<br /><br />You look SMASHING in white - welcome to the dark side (or is that "light side"?) https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/analyzing-fear-of-white#post-932962 Wed, 15 May 2013 15:16:28 +0000 Angie 932962@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have <b>White Obsession</b> which cancels out ALL your phobias. I have always loved shades of white - since I was very little actually. My Mum popped me into WHITE patent shoes at age 2, and not the black version that my little friends wore. I grew up loving white jeans - the only jeans my Mum ever wore.&nbsp;<br /><br />I don't think being blonde and pale&nbsp;makes white easier to wear. White - the right white - is much easier to wear then black on all skin types and complexions.&nbsp;<br /><br />Adelfa, you look wonderful in the frock and sensational in the BF jeans! May this be the start of your beautiful new relationship with white. You shan't look back xox&nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/analyzing-fear-of-white#post-932954 Wed, 15 May 2013 15:04:09 +0000 T-Rex 932954@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ For me, it's the same as&nbsp;reasons #1 and #2 that&nbsp;Suz mentioned. And it is a gut level thing. When I wear white, I don't get any dirtier than I would wearing any other light color. Yet I have to consciously choose to overcome my initial reluctance.<br /><br />Now, that's only for white pants, jeans, or skirts. I had a pair of white, pointy toed flats (skimmers?) during the 80's that I wore to death. I loved those shoes. <br /><br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/analyzing-fear-of-white#post-932868 Wed, 15 May 2013 13:59:07 +0000 Sara L. 932868@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I like white clothing (I have jeans, linen pants, capris and a skirt) but have a hard time with white shoes.&nbsp; I think I associate them with frumpy.&nbsp; I had one pair of white studded sandals that I loved and finally wore out.&nbsp; I still haven't found a replacement yet.&nbsp;<br /><br />I like both your outfits - the sandals in #1 are fabulous and I like the contrast with the white bottom and dark top in #2. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/analyzing-fear-of-white#post-932850 Wed, 15 May 2013 13:41:44 +0000 Thistle 932850@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You look fab in white!!<br /><br />For me, there have been two things keeping me from white:<br />1. It is said to make you look heavier<br />2. I have a grubby 1.5 year old<br /><br />I would love to try out this white pant trend, but I have no idea how I could keep them white&nbsp; :)&nbsp; Sticky fingers are attracted to moms, especially moms in light colors! https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/analyzing-fear-of-white#post-932754 Wed, 15 May 2013 05:54:06 +0000 Adelfa 932754@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Marley, so sad that your memory of your confirmation is all about fashion angst--wow--I remember being that age and having horrible times with my mom picking out clothes too.<br /><br />The TR jeans sound amazing. &nbsp;I can't wait to see you in them! https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/analyzing-fear-of-white#post-932753 Wed, 15 May 2013 05:50:10 +0000 Adelfa 932753@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Deborah, sounds like you're coping with your fears! As I wrote my post I couldn't believe how absolutist I've been about white--literally not wearing white pants, which I love, for 23 years! https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/analyzing-fear-of-white#post-932752 Wed, 15 May 2013 05:49:06 +0000 Marley 932752@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I definitely have a "white phobia."&nbsp; I think part of it has to do with associating white with polyester nurse's aide's uniforms.&nbsp; Part has to do with seeing a lot of people wearing white jeans that are a size too small and the packed sausage/cellulite pattern is soooo unappealing.&nbsp; Part of it has to do with white just seems too pure and clean and crisp for my style!&nbsp; I need a little bit of scruff and muss to feel comfortable.&nbsp;Part of it seems like its a cop-out.&nbsp; I mean, what's not going to go with white?&nbsp; It just seems like&nbsp;its a lazy way to dress - irrational, I know, but . . .&nbsp;&nbsp; Part of it also has to do with when I was in 8th grade and got confirmed - all of us girls had to wear white dresses and it was a nightmare shopping with my mom for a dress!&nbsp; I hated everything that she liked, and vice-versa.&nbsp; She won out - and&nbsp;I felt so horribly ugly and self-conscious in that white dress - it still makes me shudder when I think about it today!&nbsp; We also had to wear white shoes - oh, God help me!&nbsp; A&nbsp;horrendous experience for me!<br />So, yesterday I received in the mail a pair of True Religion Cameron boyfirend jeans in optic white - I had ordered them off of eBay - and, guess what?&nbsp; I LOVE them!&nbsp; They have just a teeny bit of&nbsp;distressing and because they are baggy and slouchy, I think I have&nbsp;may have found a way that I can embrace the&nbsp;white trend and still be true to myself!&nbsp; Yeah! https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/analyzing-fear-of-white#post-932749 Wed, 15 May 2013 05:35:09 +0000 Deborah 932749@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think you look great in white, and I relate to your fears.&nbsp; I think white or cream makes me look big, so I am very careful how it wear it.&nbsp; I tend to wear it as an accent or with something layered over it, so that you catch a glimpse of white. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/analyzing-fear-of-white#post-932745 Wed, 15 May 2013 05:24:59 +0000 Adelfa 932745@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ K, I think *definitely* being blonde makes it easier and more natural to wear white. (And mushroom suede&nbsp;too but that's another post.)<br /><br />The white purse--I tried to buy something in cream but discovered that online shopping for cream leather is a horrendous thing. I was so scared to buy stark, nurse's white. &nbsp;But yes, I'm finding lots of ways to wear it! https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/analyzing-fear-of-white#post-932741 Wed, 15 May 2013 05:14:49 +0000 K. Period. 932741@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Adelfa, you look fabulous in white! I love your outfit. So crisp! So lovely!&nbsp;<br /><br />I love white and have always worn white tops and bottoms. Maybe the fact that I'm blonde made it easier for me to wear it without feeling too contrasty? I have two kiddos (5 and 2.5) and so the dirt factor is always there, but I figure, I own a washing machine, all-fabric bleach and chlorine bleach if it gets really bad, so I'm covered. &nbsp;I just wash often.&nbsp;<br /><br />What was hard for me? Getting used to my white shoes. Not white sandals (mine were always brown as a kid, so no trauma there). My white Fluevogs. They seemed so crisp with jeans, but stretching beyond that was hard for me too! &nbsp;The eye has to adjust, I suppose. &nbsp;And interestingly, my biggest value surprise has been my light colored tote bag. I bought the same tote in blue and white. &nbsp;I was absolutely convinced I would use the blue all the time. Nope. White wins the day. Again and again, when I am wondering what to wear with a challenging outfit, it is the white tote. Crazy. (But I suspect you've found that too with your lovely white purse!)<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/analyzing-fear-of-white#post-932737 Wed, 15 May 2013 05:00:16 +0000 Adelfa 932737@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh, Suz, that happened to me too in junior high! &nbsp;The memory still stings! And the footwear thing... I was amazed to see that three of my points involved white footwear.<br /><br />The sandals are the Sam Edelman Trinas that Angie has been recommending. They came in the mail today! And I'm loving the childlike white straps around the heel and ankle, because the pale tan strap across the toe seems to save the whole concept! &nbsp;Not to mention the silver 1.25" heel. (I say childlike but the white straps actually have a delightful snakeskin texture!)&nbsp;I can't wait to wear them with the white bfs. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/analyzing-fear-of-white#post-932733 Wed, 15 May 2013 04:48:21 +0000 Suz 932733@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I just love your conversation-starting posts! And I also love the look of you in white. Those sandals look fantastic! What are they?&nbsp;<br /><br />Even your bed is wearing white!&nbsp;<br /><br />I did have a slight fear of white, yes. Or at least white bottoms. Why?&nbsp;<br /><br />1. The voice of my mother telling me that it was too impractical. Will get dirty!! Too much laundry!!<br /><br />2. The atavistic 8th grade fear that I might get my period and have an "accident" while I was wearing white. What could be worse? (And it did actually happen to me once, so...you know....<br /><br />3. I thought I was pear shaped and white bottoms made my bottom look bigger.&nbsp;<br /><br />4. I have always loved white footwear but somebody told me that it was frumpy and old-ladyish and&nbsp;&nbsp;I believed her.&nbsp;<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/analyzing-fear-of-white#post-932731 Wed, 15 May 2013 04:28:19 +0000 Adelfa 932731@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Well, there are a lot of trends I'm not buying into this season, but I decided to take Angie's advice to add white. &nbsp;I've been doing it tentatively for the last summer or two, but now I'm all in and loving it! &nbsp;Here is an outfit I wore tonight to choir practice (complete with crystal earrings that read white), followed by my new white jeans. I can hardly believe I'm wearing this much white!<br /><br />So why have I been avoiding white? So many reasons.<br /><br />1. As a child I got a pair of white leather sandals every summer. I loved them but later I wondered if white was juvenile.<br />2. I spent two years of my young life working as a nurse's aide, wearing white shoes. Ug.<br />3. In 1988, when I had a two year old and a baby, I got tired of white pants getting dirty as soon as I put them on, and swore I would never wear white pants again. &nbsp;I stuck to this for over 20 years, when it dawned on me that I had an office job, no children, and wasn't going to the park every day.<br />4. In the early&nbsp;'90s I had a pair of white pumps that I wore with various outfits and one day I suddenly realized that they made me feel desperately frumpy. I never wore them again.<br />5. After some weight fluctuations I felt self conscious wearing white clothes.<br />6. I began to love cream, and thought I had to choose between cream and white.<br />7. I started favoring dark, monochromatic outfits, and there seemed to be less and less of a place for white in the composition of my outfits. (I had always loved contrast, but came to&nbsp;believe that contrast broke up my line unflatteringly.)<br />8. I read that you should never wear a shade of white brighter than the color of your teeth! &nbsp;:(<br /><br />Well, I'm sure there were other reasons, but those are the ones I can think of. A happy result of my longtime fear of white is that now after years of no white,&nbsp;white seems so new and fresh and delightful!<br /><br />So.... are you, or have you been, scared of white? Why? And are you wearing it now? Where do you like to wear your white? Is there any other color you're scared of?