White vs. Diamond White
White, despite its utter lack of color, can be surprisingly complex. Why? It’s simply for the reason that it becomes less or more white when placed beside another white. For instance, an egg, solely seen by the naked eye, would appear to be white. But when placed on a pool of starch, there’d be a good chance that it would appear to be something else other than the ‘starkness’ of starch, probably something like off-white, ecru or cream, or ivory. Now the trickier part would be white variations that are somehow caught in between, like diamond white. It’s often mistaken to be the same as its immediate neighbor- white (stark white), but when factors like outdoor, indoor lighting, and many others are thrown into the picture, their differences manifest.
The dissimilarities between white and diamond white happen to matter significantly in the selection of wedding gowns. It has been customary for brides to be in an adulterated white gown during the wedding ceremonies. In most traditions, white is believed to be a symbol of purity and chastity. Although such symbolism has lost much of its relevance in today’s society, some women still find it unacceptable to be wearing anything other than this traditional notion of white on their big day. While some opt for a little twist to it like in the case of diamond white.
In terms of starkness or purity, white would be the ultimate. It is bright, unspoiled of any shades. Diamond white, isn’t as its name would suggest- shimmery and almost transparent. In fact, it has a minimal touch of ivory to it, giving it a warmer, softer impression. The shade of ivory is barely noticeable in diamond white, that one could mistake it as pure white nonetheless. Shades, however, vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. They can also appear differently depending on the material or fabric.
White can be too stern. This property often overwhelms and sometimes literally outshines intricacies of the dress, making it look flat and dull. Conversely, diamond white gives out a subtle glow without running the risk of it looking stained or old. Also, embroidered and lacey details appear more vividly over diamond white. It has a more lenient legroom for louder details such as beads, crystals and satin pieces.
Most fashion experts recommend white on those with olive, tan, or dark complexion, while shade of diamond white for those with fairer, paler skin.
Usually, diamond white looks better on photos as compared to white. In fact, most photographers prefer the former. White tends to bounce back a blinding radiance especially with an outdoor background. It can sometimes look bluish indoors, particularly under sharp fluorescent lighting. It is for this reason that it has the probability of looking less elegant, sometimes cheap. Diamond white doesn’t run much of these risks. It has a light touch of yellow to it, which maintains its elegance. Additionally, it looks more natural and warm. Diamond white is consistently flattering both indoors and outdoors.
Summary
- White has multiple shades and hues, including white (stark), diamond white, ivory, off-white, cream or ecru, etc. Â White (stark) is the purest, untainted variation. On the other hand, diamond white is a cross between white and ivory. Shades vary from manufacturer to manufacturer
- White can overwhelm minute embellishment. It often looks flat despite intricacies over it. On the contrary, diamond white can highlight decorative details mixed with it.
- White goes well with olive, tan and dark complexions, while diamond white on pale ones.
- Diamond white generally looks better on photos than white. White can be blinding and less elegant. Diamond white is more natural-looking.