How to Style a White Sundress: Shoes, Layers and Rules

To style a white sundress, keep the dress the brightest thing in the outfit and build around it with warm, natural tones: tan leather sandals, a straw hat, a woven bag, gold jewellery. Wear seamless underwear in your skin tone, never white, and choose a lined dress so it stays opaque in sunlight. For evening, swap flats for a heeled sandal and add a knit cardigan over the shoulders.

This guide covers what to look for in a white sundress, what to wear underneath, shoes and cover ups by occasion, the etiquette of wearing white to a wedding and how to keep the dress white all summer. The worked examples come from Posse’s new drop on Coveti, centred on the Veda Sundress in Vintage White, a cotton midi with crochet lace at the neckline and hem.

What is a sundress?

A sundress is a light, loose summer dress in a breathable fabric such as cotton and linen, cut to leave the shoulders and arms mostly bare and worn in warm weather. Most sundresses have thin straps, wide straps, short puff sleeves and a square, scoop and boat neckline, and they finish anywhere from mini to ankle length.

A white sundress is the version most people reach for first, because white reflects heat, looks fresh against a tan, and goes with every shoe and bag colour in a summer wardrobe.

What makes a good white sundress?

Three details decide whether a white sundress works in real life.

• Fabric: cotton and linen breathe, soften with washing and hold their shape in heat. Polyester traps warmth and can look shiny in photographs.
• Lining: a cotton voile lining is what keeps white opaque in bright sun. Unlined white looks lovely and airy but needs a slip underneath.
• A defined waist: shirring, a tie belt and an underbust seam stop a loose white dress from looking like a nightgown.

The Posse white dresses in this drop, compared

Posse designs in sets, and its white pieces come in families that include dresses, tops, skirts and shorts in the same fabric. Here are the white and ivory dresses at a glance.

The Veda Sundress has a shirred elasticated waist and underbust, so it holds the body at the narrowest point and then falls away, plus an invisible zip and hook and eye at the back. The Veda V-Neck Dress in Vintage White is the long version of the family, with gathers at the hip seam and underbust. The Veda Mini Dress in Vintage White has a crochet lace yoke over a soft V underneath and a keyhole button at the back. All follow Posse’s letter sizes XXS to XXL, and the brand says each fits true to size.

What do you wear under a white sundress?

Wear underwear that matches your skin tone, not the dress. White underwear shows through white fabric because it is brighter than skin; a nude shade close to your own disappears.

• Lined dresses like the Veda and Alfie styles need only seamless skin tone underwear.
• Unlined dresses like the Harriet styles, which Posse describes as semi sheer, need a slip in a skin tone shade, cut a little shorter than the hem.
• Straps and necklines: wide straps and a square neckline hide a regular bra. A boat neckline needs a bra with straps set wide on the shoulder. Fine straps call for a strapless bra.
• Test it in daylight. Stand by a window with the light behind you before you leave the house. Indoor lighting hides what the sun shows.

What shoes go with a white sundress?

Warm neutrals are the safest shoe colour with white because they add contrast without competing. Tan, cognac, gold and natural raffia all work.

A short dress shows more leg, so a flat shoe keeps it relaxed; a midi like the Veda Sundress sits mid calf and looks best with a shoe that shows a little of the foot. Browse designer sandals and designer flats for both.

Cover ups for a white sundress

A sundress leaves the arms bare, so you need one layer for air conditioning, evenings and sun protection.

• A cotton cardigan: the Saskia Cardigan in Ivory is a high twist cotton knit with a V neckline, button front and shell detailing at the hems. Ivory on vintage white is a soft tonal mix. Wear it buttoned over a strapped dress, and the dress turns into a skirt underneath.
• A denim jacket: the classic casual layer. Choose a mid blue wash and push up the sleeves.
• An oversized linen shirt: worn open, it reads as a beach cover up and blocks the sun.
• A kaftan: on the beach, a loose kaftan over a white swimsuit keeps the same fresh palette. See how to wear a kaftan dress.

How to accessorise a white sundress

White gives accessories more room than any other colour, so choose one focal point and keep the rest quiet.

• A belt: a relaxed white dress gains shape with a thin cord belt. The Tassel Belt in Cream has a slender cord with tassels at each end and a hand tie. On the Alfie Dress in Ivory, which already has a self tie belt attached at the side seams, skip the extra belt. More ideas in how to style a tassel belt.
• A small bag with texture: the Odette Purse in Cream is a drawstring purse with floral embroidery and ladder trims, a close match for embroidered white cotton. See also mini bags.
• A hat: a straw brim and a canvas bucket hat both suit white. Our guide on how to style a bucket hat shows proportions.
• Gold jewellery: warm metals look richer against white than silver does. A single bold earring is enough with a square neckline.
• One colour accent: a red lip, a coloured bag and a bright sandal give a white dress energy. Pick just one.

What is an eyelet dress, and how do you style one?

An eyelet dress is made from cotton with small cut out holes finished with stitching, also called broderie anglaise, which gives a textured, lightly see through surface. Eyelet is one of the classic white sundress fabrics, and it styles exactly like other textured white cotton: warm neutral shoes, a slip underneath where the holes are open, and simple jewellery that does not fight the pattern.

Posse’s white pieces in this drop take a related route with embroidery and lace instead of eyelet holes. The Harriet Mini Dress in Vintage White is cut from all over embroidered cotton, with a boxy shape and a drawstring threaded through an embroidered edge that ties at the shoulder. The Ezra Shift Mini Dress in Vintage White is a cotton mini with embroidered detailing and centre front buttons. If you love crochet lace as well, read how to style a crochet top.

What is the rule for wearing white?

The one rule still worth keeping is about weddings: do not wear white, ivory and cream to a wedding unless the couple has asked guests to. White is traditionally the bride’s colour at Western weddings, and a white sundress in photographs can read as bridal even when it is casual. If the invitation asks for an all white dress code, a white sundress is a good choice, and a midi like the Veda Sundress, with heeled sandals and gold earrings, looks dressed enough.

The old rule against wearing white after the end of summer no longer applies. A white cotton dress works year round in warm climates, and in cooler months it layers under a knit with boots.

For brides, white sundresses do have a place: welcome drinks, rehearsal dinners, the morning after brunch and civil ceremonies are all natural settings for a pretty white cotton dress.

What makeup goes with a white dress?

White reflects light onto the face, so it suits warm, glowing makeup: bronzer, a cream blush and a tinted lip. A strong red lip is a classic accent against white. Let any self tan dry fully before you dress, because it marks white cotton quickly.

How to keep a white sundress white

1. Wash white separately in cool water, and follow the care label on each piece.
2. Let deodorant dry before dressing, and choose a formula that does not leave yellow marks.
3. Treat sunscreen and makeup marks quickly with a gentle stain remover.
4. Dry in the shade. Strong sun can yellow natural fibres over time.
5. Store in a breathable cotton garment bag, never plastic.

Shop the full white edit in midi dresses, see every dress in this drop in the best Posse dresses, and find the whole label on the Posse brand page.

Frequently asked questions

How do you style a white sundress?

Pair it with warm neutral accessories such as tan sandals, a straw hat, a woven bag and gold jewellery. Add a cotton cardigan for evening and swap flats for a heeled sandal.

What do you wear under a white sundress?

Wear seamless underwear close to your skin tone, never white. If the dress is unlined, add a slip in a skin tone shade.

What shoes go with a white sundress?

Tan leather sandals, espadrilles and ballet flats work by day. For evening, choose strappy heeled sandals in a warm neutral such as tan, cognac, gold.

Can you wear a white sundress to a wedding?

Only if the couple has asked guests to wear white. Otherwise white, ivory and cream are best left to the bride.

What is an eyelet dress?

An eyelet dress is cotton with small cut out holes finished in stitching, also called broderie anglaise. It is lightly see through, so it usually needs a lining and a slip.

What makeup looks good with a white dress?

Warm, glowing makeup such as bronzer, cream blush and a tinted lip suits white. A red lip is a classic accent.