Similar to black, white is achromatic and signifies a lack of colour. When completely devoid of warmth, it is perceived as cool, bright and luminous by our eyes.
White is often linked with snow; frozen, bright, and tranquil landscapes; serene, immaculate and striking. In fashion, white can convey cleanliness, coolness, purity, spirituality, order, health and well-being.

White is often associated with a transcendent and religious quality. It is the customary colour for wedding dresses, newborn clothing and the attire for First Communion in the Catholic Church.
The symbolism of innocence linked to white can be advantageous to the wearer, for instance, in a courtroom setting. See Lana Turner's courtroom appearances in 'The Postman Always Rings Twice' (1946).
White is the traditional colour of attire at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships and in the Summer sport of cricket, providing players with light refection, as well as a cool and fresh appearance, in spite of the heat and perspiration.
The classic white cotton shirt, traditionally tailored, holds a significant place in fashion history. Initially worn as a blouse by Marie Antoinette, depicted in a famous painting of her by Madame Vigee-Lebrun in 1783, it sparked a trend for white cottons in women's fashion. Even today, white clothing is still linked to wealth and aristocracy and the 'Old Money' aesthetic.
The French designer, Coco Chanel, whose designs emerged in the 1920s, drew inspiration from the traditionally tailored white shirt in menswear and incorporated it into her more boyish take on women's fashion.
In the 1940s, Hollywood stars like Katherine Hepburn, Ava Gardner and Lauren Bacall popularised the white shirt as part of a simple, utilitarian off-duty look.
Over the decades in film, female characters opting for a more androgynous style have often been seen wearing a white shirt, such as Diane Keaton in 'Annie Hall' (1977) and Uma Thurman in 'Pulp Fiction' (1994).
In the 1990s, proponents of minimalism utilised the white shirt and white separates in general, to convey a sense of simple, sophisticated elegance, as showcased in the runway collections of Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Jil Sander and Celine.