White on white. Cotton on skin. The simplest kind of dressing that takes the longest to get right.

The piece

These white drawstring shorts from Italy Moda are part of a cotton co-ordinate set — the matching cropped short-sleeve button-down shirt knotted at the waist completes a warm-weather two-piece built around the most honest fabric and the most uncompromising colour. The crinkle or gauze-texture cotton carries its own visual character: the natural surface variation creates a tactile depth that plain cotton lacks, catching light across its ridges and creating a dimensional, almost artisanal quality in what might otherwise read as a basic white piece. The drawstring waist gives the shorts an adjustable, relaxed fit that works across a wide range of body shapes without the rigidity of a fixed waistband. White in warm weather is a commitment — and this piece rewards that commitment with the kind of clarity and brightness that makes every other element of the outfit fall into place around it.

Who it's for

For the woman who has graduated from avoiding white to actively choosing it. White dressers understand that the colour is not demanding so much as it is unforgiving of anything that doesn't meet it properly — which means the fabric, cut, and styling all need to be considered. These shorts meet those standards. They're also ideal for the minimalist wardrobe builder: white is the ultimate neutral, and a well-cut white short paired with a matching white top creates one of the most versatile starting points in warm-weather dressing. Everything goes with white. Everything looks right against white. It is, in the best sense, the colour that stops making decisions for you and hands the creative control back entirely.

Closer look

• Clean white colourway — crisp, bright, and seasonally versatile
• Crinkle or gauze-texture cotton — natural surface depth without added embellishment
• Drawstring waist — adjustable, comfortable, and relaxed in profile
• Above-the-knee casual length — comfortable for movement-heavy days
• Part of a matched two-piece co-ord set with the cropped button-down shirt
• Breathable natural fibre construction — keeps you cool in warm weather
• No visible seaming or hardware that interrupts the clean white surface

Fabric & feel

The crinkle or gauze cotton has a texture that immediately distinguishes it from plain cotton — the fine ridges in the surface create a slightly raised, dimensional feel against the fingers and against the skin. This texture also means the shorts breathe with exceptional effectiveness, as the ridged construction allows more air movement at the fabric surface than a flat-woven cotton would. Against the skin on warm days, they feel light and non-restrictive — the kind of fabric that recedes into the background while doing exactly the job required. The white dye is clean and even across the fabric, holding its brightness through washing without the grey cast that poorly dyed white fabrics develop over time. The drawstring waist is soft rather than rough — no chafing at the waistband even through long wearing periods.

Fit & silhouette

The drawstring waist allows you to set the fit exactly where you want it — tied snugly for a defined waist, left looser for a casual, bloused effect above the shorts. The leg falls at above the knee in a relaxed, straight cut that doesn't narrow or taper. This straight-leg cut at a casual length creates a clean, modern silhouette that works particularly well with the matching co-ord top, which is proportioned to sit just at or slightly below the waistband. Worn as a set, the horizontal line of the knotted shirt over the shorts waistband creates a natural visual break that defines the waist without constricting it. Size true to your usual size for the full relaxed effect; size down if you prefer a more fitted, less bloused appearance.

Styling

The co-ord set as shown — matching white crinkle-cotton cropped button-down knotted at the waist over the drawstring shorts — is the complete and most natural expression of this piece. Finish with white canvas trainers or flat leather sandals, add a woven or straw bag, and the look is done. The uniformity of the white-on-white palette is the outfit's greatest strength — it photographs with extraordinary clarity in daylight.

Separating the shorts, pair with a pale blue, soft yellow, or terracotta fitted top — the white shorts act as the neutral foundation while the coloured top carries the palette decision. Add espadrilles or leather mules for a classic summer combination that works across a wide range of warm-weather settings.

For a more pulled-together casual look, tuck a fitted white or off-white ribbed tank into the drawstring waist and add gold hoop earrings and flat leather sandals. The tonal white dressing is both a bold choice and an effortless one — and it elevates the natural texture of the crinkle cotton beautifully.

Occasions

Built for summer — all of summer. Morning beach walks, market visits, town days on holiday, outdoor lunches, café mornings, coastal evenings, and every relaxed social occasion between. The drawstring waist is forgiving enough for days when you want complete comfort, while the crinkle texture elevates the shorts above purely functional territory. They're also excellent travel pieces: white packs light, the cotton breathes in transit, the fabric shakes out of a bag without requiring much ironing, and the drawstring adjustability means they're comfortable across long sitting or transit periods.

Care

Machine wash at 30°C on a gentle cycle or hand wash in cool water. Turn inside out to protect the white surface from friction marks during washing. Avoid biological detergents with enzymes and any products containing bleach — these can cause the crinkle cotton to yellow over multiple washes rather than staying true white. Tumble dry on low or, ideally, dry in the shade — direct sunlight can yellow white fabrics over time. The natural crinkle texture will maintain itself through washing without requiring ironing, but if you prefer a crisper finish, press at a medium cotton setting. Wash the set pieces together from the first wash to ensure consistent colour across both garments.

Wow detail

The crinkle texture is the piece's most underappreciated quality. On white, texture becomes the only means of creating visual interest — the colour itself offers no pattern, no print, no secondary hue. The crinkle or gauze surface of this cotton does that work beautifully: it catches light differently across the ridged surface, creates depth and shadow in a monochromatic context, and gives the fabric a quality that reads as considered and crafted rather than plain and functional. It's the difference between a white short that looks like it came from a sports shop and one that belongs in a thoughtfully curated summer wardrobe. That distinction, built entirely through a fabric choice, is exactly the kind of attention to materiality that good fashion design always returns to.

Conscious fashion

5% of every WowStore order funds a cause you choose — clean water, education, or healthcare.

Promise

Free EU delivery on every order over €69, and 30-day returns so you can try white in your own wardrobe — in your own light, with your own pieces — before committing. We want every WowStore order to feel like exactly the right decision, and we build our policies around making that easy.