What to Wear Under a White Dress

Published: Nov 11, 2014
Updated: Dec 13, 2021
1 minute read

Work a white dress the right way -- with the perfect lingerie. Keep in mind the color and texture of your undergarments, as a white dress requires a smooth and seamless appearance underneath. For the best results, eschew the frills and stick to simple lines and neutral shades.

Go Nude

Contrary to popular belief, white lingerie is not your best bet beneath a white dress. The effect can be what "Real Simple" magazine calls a "double opaque effect," where the white underwear and white dress combine to look more opaque than the rest of your dress. Opt instead for a nude shade, choosing a color as close to your skin tone as possible. This creates a seamless, "nude" effect underneath your dress that won't show through. Another option is to wear a slip -- half or full-length -- to ensure that what lies beneath your dress looks all the same shade, even beneath a very thin white dress.

Smooth Move

Keep it simple and stick with smooth-textured undergarments. Bras and panties with ridges and ruffles tend to show up more easily underneath a white dress, which doesn't have the camouflaging powers of a garment in a deeper shade. Smooth shapewear can be helpful, as it hides body lumps or bumps. Pull on a mid-thigh shaper, camisole or even a full bodysuit in a color that resembles your skin tone.

Whitney DeGroat

Whitney DeGroat began her writing career in 2007 at "The Springfield Paper." She has also written for newspapers such as the "Springfield News-Sun" and "Dayton Daily News" and served as a fashion columnist for "The Torch." DeGroat received…

Sponsored
LEAFtv Logo

LEAFtv is your destination for food, beauty, style and feel-good living, with how-tos and inspiration for everyday life.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2026 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.