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Queen Letizia's guide to mastering white style after Labor Day

Queen Letizia is the latest star in a long line of stylish royals — and one that is regularly spotted wearing head-to-toe white, even during fall and winter. True, we’ve been hearing all our lives that one must transfer to darker hues come Sept., but fashion experts such as Karl Lagerfeld and Diane Lane have shown that some "rules" are simply outdated traditions. (We can’t think of a good r
Getty Images, APC
Getty Images, APC
MADRID, SPAIN - JUNE 09:  Prince Felipe of Spain and Princess Letizia of Spain receive Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto for a lunch at Zarzuela Pa...
Prince Felipe of Spain and Princess Letizia of Spain receive Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto for a lunch at Zarzuela Palace on June 9, 2014 in Madrid, Spain.Carlos Alvarez / Today

Queen Letizia is the latest star in a long line of stylish royals — and one that is regularly spotted wearing head-to-toe white, even during fall and winter. 

True, we’ve been hearing all our lives that one must transfer to darker hues come Sept., but fashion experts such as Karl Lagerfeld and Diane Lane have shown that some "rules" are simply outdated traditions. (We can’t think of a good reason to support an embargo on a color for 50 percent of the year.)

As we prep for our fall wardrobes, throw off the yoke of "no white after Labor Day" and take a few sartorial cues from Spain's effortlessly elegant queen: 

Pope Francis meets King Felipe VI of Spain and and Queen Letizia of Spain, during a private audience in the pontiff's private library at the Vatican, ...
Pope Francis meets King Felipe VI of Spain and Queen Letizia of Spain during a private audience in the pontiff's private library at the Vatican on June 30, 2014.Alessandro Bianchi / Today

Seasonal skirt-suits
You can’t go wrong with winter whites in a chic skirt suit — and we can’t get enough of this timeless look, whether it’s clean in crisp white or trimmed with embellishments.

MACYS, Blek
Today

Save: Le suit pleated-jacket skirt suit, $99.99, macys.com

Splurge: Tahari ASL beaded skirt suit, $192, belk.com

Spain's King Felipe VI (L) and his wife Queen Letizia arrive to visit the Mohamed V mausoleum in Rabat on July 15, 2014 .The new King and Queen of Spa...
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia arrive to visit the Mohamed V mausoleum in Rabat on July 15, 2014 .FADEL SENNA / Today

Power pantsuits
Nothing says power suit like a pair of sophisticated trousers. Queen Letizia sparks major closet envy and makes us re-examine the codes of fall fashion in this elegant head-to-toe white ensemble.

Nordstrom, JL
Today

Save: Haolgen suiting, $29.90, nordstrom.com

Splurge: Double breasted pantsuit, $79.99, jessicalondon.com

MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 09:  Princess Letizia of Spain receives representatives  of the magazine 'Hoy Mujer' at Zarzuela Palace on April 9, 2014 in Madr...
Letizia receives representatives of the magazine Hoy Mujer at Zarzuela Palace on April 9, 2014 in Madrid, Spain.Juan Naharro Gimenez / Today

Separates
There’s nothing we love more than getting the most bang for our buck and Letizia gave us a royal cue by pairing more casual separates with traditional office-wear. When the temperatures drop, we like mixing our favorite weekend shirts with a textured sweater skirt or a fitted underpinning with a mod pleat skirt.  

RB, Calvin Klein
Today

Save: Worthington quilted skirt, $21.60, jcpenney.com; Calvin Klein textured blouse, $59, lordandtaylor.com

Splurge: Alexa sweater skirt, $148.00, bcbg.com; Rag & Bone carey tee, $95, piperlime.com

epa04266190 Spanish Queen Letizia (L) and her daughters Princess Leonor of Asturias (C) and Princess Sofia (R) arrive to the Parliament's Lower House,...
Queen Letizia and her daughters Princess Leonor of Asturias and Princess Sofia arrive to the Parliament's Lower House in Madrid on June 19, 2014.EMILIO NARANJO / Today

Statement coats
One simple way to update your wardrobe? Fur! Get fuzzy in faux or snuggle up in a cozy sweater fabric like merino wool.

Zara, JC
Today

Save: Collarless long wool coat, $86, jollychic.com

Splurge: Faux furt coat, $169, zara.com

MADRID, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 08:  King Felipe VI of Spain and Queen Letizia of Spain receive President of Panama Juan Carlos Varela and wife Lorena Casti...
King Felipe VI of Spain and Queen Letizia of Spain receive President of Panama Juan Carlos Varela and wife Lorena Castillo de Varela on Sept. 8, 2014 in Madrid, Spain.Pool / Today

Dresses
Having the right sheath dress is essential; it provides the calm in the "I-have-nothing-to-wear" storm. We love the simplicity and the ease of the queen’s 3/4-sleeve dress.

Banana Republic, APC
Today

Save: White ponte knit dress, $59.99, bananarepublic.com

Splurge: Melanie Dress, $190, usonline.apc.fr

Queen Letizia's royal style

Slideshow  35 photos

Queen Letizia's royal style

Spain's Queen Letizia is known for her feminine, polished and sophisticated style. Take a look at our favorite outfits.