The Best White Dresses To Wear Now That Spring Is Really Here

If, like me, you spent winter gazing longingly at the social media feeds of friends and influencers tripping across European beaches, then you will know the powerful allure of the little white dress.

Fresh, chic, and often romantic, a little white dress (or indeed a long white dress) evokes the best bits of any summer holiday. It works for the beach or the poolside bar or as the ideal outfit for lazing away the afternoon at a long lunch. No wonder it’s the look of choice for every second fashion influencer holidaying on the Isle of Capri.

But the power of a little white dress transcends the beach. Wearing white at work can be crisp, chic and subtly powerful (there’s a reason Michelle Obama and Melania Trump both own a wardrobe of white). On the weekend, it offers a fresh summery vibe. 

To prove the versatility of the white dress, we asked artist Gabrielle Penfold to model three very different versions.

Gabrielle, whose first solo exhibition opens in Sydney next week, is known for her messy landscapes and love of colour. “I don’t really wear black,” she admits. “I definitely prefer white dresses.”

A multi-disciplinary creative, who studied design at university, Gabrielle divides her time between painting, and other projects such as photographic diaries and ceramics for clients like Lucy Folk. Her artistic inspiration springs from the “simple pleasures” of life – travel, “special moments like going out to dinner, spending time with beautiful people” and “nature”. All situations ripe for a white dress.