White: A blank canvas

With winter dragging on, more and more people seem to be adopting the universal cold-weather uniform of black, black and more black - perhaps broken up with a tiny bit of dark grey.

So what's the fashion world's solution to winter wardrobe malaise this year? White. Maybe.

Top-to-toe white is bang on trend right now. White jeans have been pushing their way on to the scene for the past year or so, but they've been joined in 2013 by white tailored pants, white dresses, white blazers and even white pencil skirts.

White is not for the faint of heart. Not only will it show up every bit of lunch dropped and every muddy paw print, it's also not a very forgiving colour. While traditional dark winter shades might be known for being slimming, white is definitely not, so it's very important that any white garment you buy is well-cut and fits perfectly. The heavier the material, the better.

White can also be quite transparent in certain lights, so stock up on underwear that gives you a good amount of coverage. If you can see the pockets of your white pants through the material, cut them out and sew the pocket shut.

On the plus side, white is a fantastic canvas for bright accessories. If you're wearing white jeans and a white camisole, pop a brightly coloured shirt or cardigan over the top. Or team a white shift dress with a bright scarf or jewel-toned trench coat.

If you're not confident wearing white next to your face when you haven't been near the fake tan for a while, a chunky necklace can add colour to the look. If you feel uneasy about wearing white on the bottom half of your body, a white blazer is an easy-to-pull-off alternative.

Unless you're very slim, avoid tight-fitting white tops. Instead, look for one that skims rather than hugs your shape, with a V-neck and three-quarter sleeves.

Shoes worn with white ensembles should be in nude or neutral tones to visually lengthen your legs; avoid black footwear if you're wearing top-to-toe white.