White dresses have always been a bit of  a summer wardrobe staple, cool, fresh and versatile. The summer equivalent of the Little Black Dress, they can be dressed up or down according to the occasion and could even be worn as a beach wedding dress or day dresses. They also look great with a sun tan. They look great with just about every colour of the rainbow but can also just be worn on their own with some tan leather sandals.

On the SS11 catwalks white dresses were plentiful. Alexander Wang had most notably exchanged his usual palette of greys and neutrals for crisp clean whites. The key feature which defines the Wang version of the white dress for the season was the de-constructed theme. Long ankle length or maxi dresses, were worn with neutral coloured peep toe boots. There were also bias cut styles, deep v necks and randomly draped pieces of fabric. The look was minimalist but whilst keeping it simple he managed to give us plenty to look at.

Another version of the white dress was seen at Erdem another designer who in the past has favoured working with darker colours. The Erdem white dresses were in some cases a baeutiful and delicately decorated shift dress. There was also a number of fifties style dresses with fitted bodice and flared skirt. There was some beautifully detailed pieces with a white lace dress with white lace appliqued over the top. The White dresses also served as a great background for some beautiful red poppy prints.

For a slightly different take on the white dress, Band of Outsiders showed a beautiful sheer one shoulder dress in a slightly off white colour with a draped assymetrical shape. This dress was beauty and simplicity at its best and could well provide inspiration for party dresses this summer.

Oscar De La Renta featured an opulent draped and ruffled dress that flared from the waist and finished at the knee. It was feminine and very lady like and again was made from a light and floaty sheer fabric. Modelled with a boater style hat, it would make a great pick of dresses for the races. Giambatista Valli also featured a simple strapless shift dress in white lace, yet another example of the versatility of a white dress, it could work for the daytime or the evening and would also make a stunning beach wedding dress.

There is absolutely no doubt about it, the white dress is going be a huge hit for summer 2011, from the simple shift dress to more elaborate styles and casual laid back styles of day dress.

Antique White Henley Dress By 3.1 Phillip Lim at My Wardrobe - The white dress in its purest and simplest form, perfect for the beach or to be worn as a day dress with leggings.

Embroidered Bandeau Beach Dress By Warehouse- a very feminine style that works perfectly for holiday with a pair of strappy sandals

Lipsy Embellished Backless Dress - the perfect version of the feminine white dress, this flattering style is great for parties.