White On The Road
Why so many stories about white, you may ask. Well, apart from any historical, symbolic, or spectral aspects of the white, choosing this color for articles of clothing or anything subjected to the elements, particularly in New York City, makes a big statement. Here are some snippets from my previous White By Design stories:

There are many things to love about the color WHITE. For some, use of the color in their homes and wardrobe borders obsession, like that of the good friend of mine whom I wrote about in White By Design.
In New York City, choosing white takes on a spirit of defiance. Analogous to She’s Too Tough To Care, wearing white is like saying I don’t care that white makes no sense in New York City. We have rats, graffiti, pollution, dirt, and grime, but I will wear white anyway.
Wearing white also sends a message that a person is willing and able to go the extra mile in maintaining such a color choice in the city.

Used badly, white can be a horrific choice – everything is mercilessly revealed with white. It is also deliberately and conspicuously impractical, making a statement about luxury and the ability and willingness for maintenance. The decision to use white in an unforgiving city like New York makes a particularly strong statement.

Yes, go the extra mile. And what extra mile is longer than that of a homeless person who chooses white for her wardrobe? The woman in today’s photo, who is a recent habitué of Washington Square Park, is garbed day and night in a wardrobe entirely in white – pants, socks, sandals, shirt, jacket, gloves, ski hat, and the final piece de resistance that drew my eye to her originally – white rimmed glasses. I have seen her rummaging through her travel suitcase for her hat or gloves. The contents? Articles of clothing which are 100% white and, like what she wears, all appears to be scrupulously clean.

I did speak to her one evening, but approached her cautiously. As a friend pointed out – look at her body language. Conversation was a bit awkward. She was quite reticent and very guarded, understandable for someone living on the streets of New York City. I discussed my blog and my previous series of stories, White By Design. I showed her a number of photos on my iPad. Seeing hard evidence that I genuinely had an interest in those who love white, she let her guard down a bit. She told me that she has been in NYC only about a week, living in the park. She has been an itinerant traveler, but I got no details as to where she was from, where she had traveled, or when and where she would be going next.

I complemented her on choosing white and the willingness to do the work it must involve to maintain her wardrobe so meticulously. She did not elaborate on her choice of color but responded that she does like cleanliness and does her laundry about every three days. And that’s the drill for someone who not only embraces the spirit of White By Design, but also keeps things White On the Road 🙂

More on white: White by Design 4, Off-White by Design, The Perfect Gift, White by Design 3, White by Desire, White by Design 2