White, off-white, cream and beige
April 24th, 2008I frequently refer to these light neutrals. Several people have requested an explanation of the differences between them, particularly between cream and beige. I’m happy to oblige.
- White: Optical white is a blindingly bright white. A pair of white jeans is usually optical white.
- Off-white: This is a dirty white like the colour of bone. It’s as if optical white was mixed with a spot of grey. It’s a cold colour and tends to look good on people who can wear light grey close to the face.
- Cream: The colour of pearls, ivory and liquid whipping cream. This tone is warmer and richer than white and off-white. It contains a hint of yellow and looks good on people who wear warm colours well.
- Beige: Tan, khaki, taupe, nude and stone are all versions of beige. They are not cream or off-white. They are light browns. You’ll find chinos in this colour. Deepening a shade of beige results in camel and caramel coloured hues which are richer and generally more flattering.
Beige is hard to wear close to the face unless you’re dark-skinned and even then it’s best when matched with a contrasting colour (like black or a bright). Beige comes to life when the fabric is iridescent or mixed with metallic lurex thread. This gives the colour depth and interest and that’s often the best solution to wearing beige close to the face. As a bottom, beige is boring. It can look conservative and I do not often encourage this look unless it is required.
The “whites” (white, off-white and cream) are better choices for tops and bottoms. They offer both a modern classic and contemporary edge that’s forever fresh and versatile. These shades pop whereas beige does not. It’s a question of choosing “your white”. Some people look better in cream, while others look better in bone or white. Experiment and try a form of white instead of beige. You’ll be surprised.
Top: Off-white pea-coat, a cream blouse and dress.
Bottom: White jeans, beige and taupe pants.
My whites are white and cream on top and at the bottom (but not together). I look dreadful in off-white and beige and steer clear of them close to the face. Beige pants are not my style so I don’t wear those either.
April 24th, 2008 at 7:50 am
Thanks for the clarification Angie! I have often pondered this topic. Could you please let us know which colours would look best with which skin tones?
I really have great difficulty with this. Because I’m getting married in October this year, I’ve been very challenged with this topic when wedding gown shopping. I’m so confused, I still haven’t bought a dress, and my wedding is 6 months away! Eek!
I am Asian with a golden olive skin tone and dark dark brown hair. I think I can wear bright white well, but I think I have a little more difficulty wearing warm cream, beige and camel. Does this make sense, should this be? Or do I just need to train my eye a little more?
Thanks so much for your advice! Your website is my daily morning pick-up!
April 24th, 2008 at 8:49 am
Great article Angie! Certainly helps with the distinction.
I am a pale blonde (fair skin with pink undertones, light blue eyes, dark blond hair with ash undertones)and generally look better in cool colors. I find that I can not wear optical white next to my face ( washes me out) but off-white and cream ( as long as it does not have too much yellow in it) work pretty well. Beige next to my face is not a good idea either, it is actually worse than pure white. I do have some beige outerwear ( trench, safari jacket) that I got before I paid attention to the color flattery, so now I wear them with either black or pretty bright color undreneath or spring scarves in cream and brights. But once they’re dead, I certainly won’t replace them!
As for the bottoms, I wear all the whites and beiges. I do try to make the outfit a bit funlkier when wearing khakis or similar pants. Actually, today I’m wearing a pair of high-waisted wide-legged beige linen pants with tucked in ruggled blouse ( I’ll post the picture on the forum over the weekend).
April 24th, 2008 at 9:36 am
Very helpful! My son asks what about eggshell or bone? Are they both different names for cream - or actually slightly different colors?
On beige pants , one caveat for me, I like beige pants worn with red. I have a red, black and beige jersey Tee I wear (either that or a red short sleeved t-neck sweater) with beige slacks and a denim jacket. Red really seems to spark up beige. I would never wear beige next to my face though!
April 24th, 2008 at 10:08 am
I wear a lot of beige, taupe, and camel bottoms. I really love a pair of fab crisp camel slacks with a red blouse. (Esp since I have this great patent tote that is red with camel straps). I also like the look with black tops, though I do think it’s been overdone over the years and has begun to look boring to me - but that doesn’t mean it won’t appeal to me later again.
As for tops, I do have two blazers that i like very much - I call them “khaki” but it’s close to what you are showing as beige. I think they look nice with dark jeans and a top that pops.
White bottoms…. yes, I’ve been gravitating more towards white in the past few years, and it does seem fresh to me. However I’m weird I guess - white to me works only in 80 degree weather. Winter white/cream pants for winter would work, but I’ve not yet found a pair I like.
White bottoms are tough because not only do you need to search for a good fit, you need to worry about show-through!! And washability! I have one pair of long white dress slacks right now that can only be drycleaned and that’s a pain. So I tend to not wear them except for occasions when I don’t have to worry about getting food or drink all over them.
White coats: often look to lab-coatish to me. I do like the one in the photo though.
April 24th, 2008 at 10:10 am
Oh and I should add… winter white wool slacks for winter here would NOT work very well, because we are in the city and there’s slush and gunk. Dark slacks are key!
But I do have a winter white wool skirt, come to think of it, that is one of my favs worn with boots.
April 24th, 2008 at 10:42 am
Thanks for the clarification Angie. I always thought cream and off-white were the same. Now I know better.
April 24th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
I think I would have to see these in person, side by side, to tell the difference. It’s probably my monitor (which is actually very good…maybe too good), but that Nanette Lepore coat looks the same to me as the white pants. I think the pants I’m wearing are more creamy because they’re warmer and less bright than a white piece of paper, but I don’t know if that’s the best standard to hold them against.
April 24th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Thank you for the compliment Theresa. While I can’t be sure, my guess is that white and bone are your best whites and this is what you could consider for your wedding dress.
Tanya, you have saved your beige jackets! Wearing them with a strong contrasting colour is a superb idea.
Nancy, there is a clear distinction between cream and bone. Bone is cold and cream is warm. I’d pop eggshell into the bone and off-white category.
Shiny, I like the way you’ve created a contrast with your beige jackets. Sounds like you have made them work. If I waited for 80 degree to wear white pants, I’d wear them twice a year in Seattle! We have perfect 75 degree Summers days. My cream jeans get wear the whole year and my white pants surface as soon as it’s Spring. Off-white coats and cream coats tend to look better than white (I have the same opinion). I shall blog about white bottoms next week. We can’t wear Winter white pants in Winter here either. Same slush and gunk situation.
Maya, monitors will vary. There is a distinct difference on my screen, but first prize is to get these colours side by side. My hope was to raise awareness that there is indeed a big difference between these colours.
April 25th, 2008 at 6:12 am
Thank you - this is extremely hepful. I may have missed this in what’s written, but what shade is winter white? My guess is that it’s cream or is it its own hue?
April 25th, 2008 at 7:18 am
Quite right Sabina, winter white is a form of cream.
April 25th, 2008 at 8:25 am
I absolutely LOVE those colours. I think they look so fresh and summery, and instead of black, I’m starting to switch to chocolate browns and midnight blues
April 25th, 2008 at 8:57 am
Nice alternatives FB. Cream and white are “my black” in Spring and Summer, and come to think of it, I seem to wear a lot of cream accessories in Autumn and Winter too. I suppose I’m just a fan of cream all year round!
April 25th, 2008 at 9:08 am
Other than a couple pieces, I have stayed away from these colors because they never seemed very “practical” in respect to ease of keeping them clean. But Angie, you’ve won me over with the freshness they add! Looking through my spring/summer clothes, I realized how many more outfit possibilities adding a white/cream cardi or jacket would create. So that’s definitely next on my list!
I am unsure about which color I can wear best though. I guess I’ll have to experiment.
April 25th, 2008 at 9:52 am
This is very helpful!
I have a few pairs of pants that I’ve been struggling with. They are stretch chino pants in lighter colors (one light sand and one pair that is very light gray) and I just can not seem to make them work. Even though the light gray may not technically belong in this category, I think I understand now that some colors are just hard to make work - like the beige you describe. The only color I really like with these pants is black, but I bought these pants for hot summer days, so black defeats the whole purpose! I may try to find a red or another bright color, but if that doesn’t work, I’m giving up on those pants!
From reading this post, I think I have to accept that some colors are just harder to work with. I do love white jeans, so I think I’ll stick to those now for those hot days when dark pants don’t feel right. As always, Angie - you have given great advice!
May 2nd, 2008 at 6:44 am
Great work Angie, thanks to you and Reecca for the first time I’m not scared to approach the shelves in the stores with beiges & co.
I would like to request you to do similar articles on other colours !
May 2nd, 2008 at 3:40 pm
[…] which I had planned as a follow-up to my previous attack on the question, because Angie has written one which is very clear and easy to understand. As I understand her explanation: there are extreme whites, (palest gray) off-white, light yellows […]
May 4th, 2008 at 9:47 am
Thank you for much needed comment on beige. Lately I have noticed whole slews of people wearing khaki capris and capri cargo pants. It’s enough to make me want to scream. Once again it’s because these items are sold to the American public that so many people are wearing them. I’ve always felt bad about khaki and only have one item, a pair of shorts, in that color.
August 10th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
Women who have “spring”colouring can definitely wear beige or stone, but not that pale dirty colour beige that is almost like no colour.
September 6th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Hi, can you tell me what is the best colour underwear to wear under white slacks? I have heard different people say, blue, white or beige, what is the proper colour. Thankyou in advance for your help. Gayle
September 6th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
You need to find a colour that’s closet to your skin tone, Gayle.