The Relaxed White Suit

Its laid-back structure and attitude belie its versatility: It works as well on the job as it does on the beach or at a soiree, without being as formal as black or as Susan-from-accounting as grey. Best with a tank top and flat sandals, or even Birkenstocks.

Portrait of Tammy Strobel
Its laid-back structure and attitude belie its versatility: It works as well on the job as it does on the beach or at a soiree, without being as formal as black or as Susan-from-accounting as grey. Best with a tank top and flat sandals, or even Birkenstocks.
 
Gold earrings (price unavailable), Louis Vuitton.
Gold earrings (price unavailable), Louis Vuitton.
White gold necklace, $2,860, Chopard.
White gold necklace, $2,860, Chopard.
Lined polyester-blend jacket, $159, Zara.
Lined polyester-blend jacket, $159, Zara.
Lyocell pants, $74.95, H&M.
Lyocell pants, $74.95, H&M.
Wool pants (price unavailable), Stella McCartney.
Wool pants (price unavailable), Stella McCartney.
Lined linen jacket, $44.95, H&M.
Lined linen jacket, $44.95, H&M.
Santos de Cartier gold and steel watch, $14,300.
Santos de Cartier gold and steel watch, $14,300.
Calf leather bag, $545, Massimo Dutti.
Calf leather bag, $545, Massimo Dutti.
Lambskin shoes, $232, Bimba Y Lola.
Lambskin shoes, $232, Bimba Y Lola.
Juste un Clou yellow gold earrings, $3,650, Cartier.
Juste un Clou yellow gold earrings, $3,650, Cartier.
 Leather bag, $690, Repetto.
Leather bag, $690, Repetto.
Lined acetate-blend jacket  (price unavailable), Max Mara.
Lined acetate-blend jacket (price unavailable), Max Mara.
Lined wool jacket, $2,650, Alexander McQueen.
Lined wool jacket, $2,650, Alexander McQueen.
Polyester pants, $56.90, Topshop.
Polyester pants, $56.90, Topshop.
Polyester pants, $56.90, Dorothy Perkins.
Polyester pants, $56.90, Dorothy Perkins.
Cavalcade calf leather bag, $1,135, Longchamp.
Cavalcade calf leather bag, $1,135, Longchamp.
My Reading Room
Lesson from Fendi: When the bottom is conservative, the top isn’t. Mango’s wraparound jacket is more blouse than jacket.
 
My Reading Room
For a relaxed suit, look for a softer cut and louche pants like the ones here from Jil Sander.