Where and when to wear a white suit

A white suit or white clothing is a garment that we have become used to over the years, but where and when to wear, and feel comfortable in a white suit.

1. Sporting occasions in the summer months they are a must for the white suit. Think of Glorious Goodwood and the rolling downs with views over the solent, the horses thundering down the course, and the green lawns full of race goers with their champagne and pims. Beautiful women dressed in expensive flowing dresses, lounging around tables overflowing with seafood and strawberry’s and cream. Where do us men fit in? In a fresh crisp white suit when we become centre stage.
2. Enter centre stage the man with the summer sizzle, what does he wear to match his white suit. He probably will have to be wearing a tie, if in the members enclosure. So a white shirt with a nice deep colour tie, or if no tie a purple, lilac, stripe white looks really great. Shoes can be casual brown slip-ons or a smart pair of loafers. As the centre of attraction you will be surrounded by the most attractive men and women who will see you as the adventurer that you are.
3. If you thought you looked cool at Goodwood part of the early season is Henley Regatta. Other than Royal Ascot, Henley for some is the pinnacle of the social season. Henley lasts a week for the rowing and then continues with a music festival into the following week. Men seem to go back to their school days and wear blazers of all descriptions and many end up looking like Billy Bunter.
4. This again is where the white suit comes into its own, either at the rowing, maybe crawling the bars (that contain some of the most elegant women on the planet) or just watching the world go by with your pint knowing you are the coolest man in town.
5. Royal Ascot needs no introduction. It is the highlight of the year in horse racing terms and the glamour stakes. You will never see so many well dressed women all in one place anywhere in the world! Age does not matter they all make the best of what they have got and some have it all and spend a fortune showing it. So unless you are in the Royal Enclosure where you need to wear a morning suit, Ascot is the ideal place to wear a white suit.As most people dress up for Royal Ascot and men traditionally wear a suit, the white suit wearer will stand out from the crowd. This again will help you send the right signals to the opposite sex. We are all aware what happens when the signal is reciprocated, sparks fly and a good day is had by one and all.
6. Polo perhaps is the most expensive sport there is. Played by millionaire playboys, Arab Sheiks and the most glamorous advertising in the sporting agenda- Cartier watches and Sunseeker speedboats. If it’s the top of the market it’s at the Polo. Who looks the coolest in the middle of the second chucker – the man in the white suit, probably wearing a black shirt and brown loafers looking a million dollars.
7. Smart but a little more refined is the Glyndebourne season conjuring up visions of country houses, sumptuous picnics, popping champagne corks, ladies in their finery and the men suited. In this more relaxed manner far removed from the hustle and bustle of the horse racing and rowing scene, this is where the white suit comes into its own, maybe with a nice pink shirt or dare I say a cravat, casual shoes and maybe a pair of Paul Smith socks.
8. From refined to the sedate, the ultimate cricket venue in the world is Lords Cricket Ground in north London. Some say the home of cricket, graced by the likes of Don Bradman, WC Grace, Viv Richards and Sir Ian Botham. Lords is also the home of the MCC – Middlesex Cricket Club. To join the MCC there is a waiting list that will take you at least 5 years to become a member. We have to picture this extraordinary cricket ground with its large imposing stands, a press box that looks like a thin portable radio, bathed in sunshine, the members stand packed to the gunnels, with men in MCC ties and white suits as smart as the day they we bought.

I have tried to give an idea of where and when and what to wear with a white suit. In my opinion there are a multitude of reasons for why and when, but there are no rules. Winter or summer, white suits are clean, simple, exciting, daring, brave. The ultimate garment to make you stand out from the crowd and highlight you are the man!