Once upon a time the rules of fashion dictated that white should only be worn following the first day of summer and never after Labor Day. Forget all that. White - including its light-shaded counterparts like ivory, cream and ecru - is hot right now regardless of the time of year or, for that matter, the season. In truth, white, like black, is not actually a color at all. While black is often defined as the absence of color, white is often described as the result of all colors mixed together.

I'm not sure there's merit in that analysis but the history of certain cultures does support the idea that white was often viewed as the color of royalty or deities. And from a religious standpoint, angels are typically depicted as wearing white. I'm not contending that that one needs be to the manor born or approaching sainthood these days to opt for a white linen suit, white cashmere sweater or white sun dress, especially for when summer arrives. In early American Westerns, the good guy wore white while the bad guy always wore black. Not to disparage the color black, but stylish people today are more than a little willing to wear white once again, even if summer hasn't quite arrived. And they're looking good.

The former Men's Style Editor at the New York Times Magazine and Fashion News Editor at Gentlemen's Quarterly, Ralph DiGennaro is one of the preeminent voices in fashion and luxury journalism. A graduate of the University of Florida, his writing and styling has also appeared in Esquire, The New Yorker, New York Newsday, Departures, BusinessWeek, Robb Report, Cigar Aficionado and a host of other national magazines.