WHITE NOW

White Mischief (clockwise from top left): Rihanna in Adam Selman at the Battleship premiere, Real Housewife Kyle Richards lets loose in Grecian inspired Aidan Mattox, Brooklyn Decker in Calvin Klein Collection at the What to Expect premiere, and model Julia Orayen heats up the Mexican Presidential debate.

As June inches ever closer even the timid among us can bring forth their white choices from the hollows of their wardrobes. It is now fashionably safe to wear white, current to wear white and for some, a mandate to wear white. Immediately following the Cannes Amfar Gala, style icon Anna Dello Russo posted the following fashion decree "Stay in strict, smart disciplined mood...Only admitted BLACK or WHITE". If Anna says it, it will be so. And yet, from the flurry of long white gowns crowding red carpets everywhere (starting with Gwynneth P. appearing as our fave caped crusader at the Oscars) it would seem we're already there. Just be certain to heed Anna's dressing orders and read between the lines to keep the white long, clean and sophisticated. Long and white lends itself to the bronzed shoulder of summer. Long and white demands beachy waves in the hair and flawlessly clean makeup. Whereas short and white is in danger of being read as too perky and bubbly (read: skating costume), long and white translates to Grecian goddess. It is both noble and effortless. Kept refined, the long and white trend is fluid and bright; akin to the words of the winner at a presidential debate. Which brings us to how NOT to do long and white. The cleavage-bearing, teardrop cut-out that landed Argentinian model Julia Orayen in the center of a media frenzy following her appearance at the Mexican Presidential debate was neither disciplined nor minimal. The event producers had asked that she wear a white dress, but had failed to specify that, like a good politician, the best whites now are disciplined, smart and cover up where needed.

The white choice: (clockwise from top left) Sophia Kokosalaki convertible strapless ruched dress (or maxi skirt) at www.net-a-porter.com, Ann Demeulemeester fringed waistcoat and gauzy skirt at www.119corbo.com, Holy Tee tiered silk and jersey at www.net-a-porter.com, Rachel Zoe strapless fluidity at www.shopbop.com, Mara Hoffman beachy crochet at www.revolveclothing.com and Badgley Mischka asymetric Grecian styling at www.shopbop.com.

SCARFACE

Clockwise from top : Christy Turlington, Jenna Dewan-Tatum and Jessica Alba work their 
Theodora & Callum scarves, available at www.shopbop.com

Once thought to be the accessory reserved for flight attendants, U.N. tour guides and girl scouts, scarves have really undergone a coolifying makeover in recent years. They have moved from geek to chic and beyond. They have even become de rigeur gifties for fashion savvy politicos. In her official state visit to Washington D.C. this past March, our favorite fashionista first lady, Britain's Samantha Cameron, gifted Mrs. Obama with a Jonathan Saunders printed silk scarf from his Cruise 2012 collection. As if Saunders wasn't "on-the-cusp" already, that little gesture hoisted his flag up the fashion flagpole. 

Four of Jonathan Saunders' Cruise 2012 scarves. Mrs. Cameron chose the vivid blue print for Mrs. Obama. 
Available at www.asos.com or www.harveynichols.com

For those who find these kinds of international relations too politically correct, one only need look to the Nicole Richie, Gisele Bunchen, Kate Moss, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jessica Alba set to get another angle on scarfing it. Rarely are these paparazzi darlings snapped in their coolio leisure ware sans neck gear. In Nicole Richie's case, the scarf morphs from head to neck and back again, sometimes in the same day.

Abracadabra: Nicole Richie moves her McQueen scarf (from www.net-a-porter.com) all around.

More than dynamic shoes, charismatic sunnies or a spine-tingling bag, a scarf is the easiest way to sew up a ho-hum tee/tank and jeans into a thought-about-it look. The little piece of cloth can pop colour into a dreary ensemble, spin a maxi dress from frowzy to free-spirit, or revolve unruly hair into compliance.

Clockwise from above left: Kate Moss (in a Vassilisa Fall 2012 print from www.shop.vassilisa.com), Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Nicole Richie, a street styler, and Gisele Bundchen get-it-going with scarves.

Which brings us to the age old query...How to tie one on? Personally I am a fan of the "free hang", with the "once around" a close second. For those who want more from their silk or chiffon, the fashion house assimilated with scarf dressing, Hermés, delivers. Their pdf presentation will show you how to morph a square of fabric into a neck accessory, hair band, belt, top, turban or even a satchel.  Which gives a lot of miles to that gifty Sam Cam bestowed on Michelle Obama, "pwning" her hubby and the ping pong table he chose for Mr. O. 

A page from the Hermes pdf "PLAYTIME" at http:/france.hermes.com/media/cms/pdf/playtime_hermes_scarf.pdf