How to Style a White Top (Summer Edition)
Last month, we made a sponsored video featuring Quince, a brand that offers luxury products at radically low prices with sustainability in mind. We’re in LOVE with their washable silk camis and tanks. So, we thought we’d accompany that video with a a non-sponsored article detailing how we styled their white tops and some tips on caring for washable silk.
Update: Our writer wore Quince’s 100% silk tops in each photo. Quince has since made their silk tops a bit more comfortable by adding some stretch. These silk pieces are now 90% mulberry silk and 10% spandex for a more practical but the same elegant fit.
Disclosure: Although we were compensated for our time to make a video, we purchased these silk tops. This article may contain affiliate links, which means we may also earn a small commission if you make a purchase.
White top + wide Palazzo pants
Update: These Palazzo pants are currently unavailable. And the Fossil bag is an exact match to the same style, but fabrics and colors vary.
To be completely honest, these are fantastic pajamas: silk cami + silk bottoms. And if you’re headed into the office, opt for a cami over a tank (because tank tops may be too casual) and throw on a blazer if the environment is a bit more conservative.
But, the wide Palazzo pants really keep it chic so that this dubs as pajamas and an effortless work outfit — especially if you throw on a pair of heels and add a computer bag.
Here’s why we love these pants:
Have pockets
Washable
70% silk 30% rayon
Extremely comfortable
Cut off above the ankle, so they don’t look like bell-bottoms
But these do pill slightly, so we recommend this $8 fabric shaver that works beautifully on cashmere, silk and linen to keep pilling at bay. And, the pilling is not incredibly noticeable, so it’s not a dealbreaker — especially since it’s less than $40, compared to J.Crew’s wide-leg pants priced at $168.
White top + denim on denim
You can’t go wrong with a denim jacket that you can throw on in an air-conditioned room. While we love the medium-wash H&M denim jacket that we styled 7 different ways in another blog, we opted for a light wash for this outfit. We deliberately didn’t match the denim washes with the jacket and jeans for a more casual look.
The pave bar necklace was handmade for our writer, so we’ve linked two similar pieces. Here’s an in-depth blog about what jewelry doesn’t tarnish, including tips on what to look for in jewelry.
White top + accessory
A dark pair of denim leggings and a neutral white top helps create the perfect canvas for an eye-catching accessory. We wanted to keep the Fossil circle bag (in Malibu blue) center stage, so we paired it with this dainty floral kite scarf to help soften the intense colors.
White top + mermaid midi skirt
While not the easiest to walk in, a mermaid-style skirt helps make a plain white top much more interesting. The knit details draw the eye, while the ivory top softens the look without making it too busy. And a rattan crossbody gives a little contrast in color.
How to care for washable silk
Although most silk pieces are dry-clean only, washable silk is much easier to care for and easier on your wallet.
Handwash the silk piece in cold water with mild detergent. We recommend Tide’s Studio Delicates or the tried-and-true Woolite Extra Delicates.
Gently squeeze out the water. We know this isn’t recommended because it causes wrinkles, but who has a completely flat surface in their bathroom where you can blot the water out with a towel. That’ll take forever! Does it help that we said, “gently?” So don’t go twisting and wringing it.
Hang up to line dry in your shower. Avoid the sun because UV rays fade silk.
Iron or steam. When the silk top is still slightly damp, gently iron it to smooth out the wrinkles. Only use the silk or steam setting. Do not let it burn! Or you can gently steam your silk pieces to get out loose wrinkles. Always test a small section first, as silk quality varies by brand.