The white shirt is one hero piece we all have in our wardrobes, and there are so many occasions to wear it
A hero staple in every closet, the white shirt has impeccable pedigree: over the years, it’s been favoured by style icons from Grace Kelly to Kendall Jenner, featured in Peter Lindbergh’s iconic photographs and formed the bedrock of collections by design titans including Jil Sander and Calvin Klein.
Simple and sophisticated, the piece to choose when you want impress and when you want to dress down, the white shirt has an androgynous effortlessness no other garment can match. In a white shirt, you’ll never feel too casual or too smart. The bottom line? The white shirt is the most important and versatile piece in your wardrobe.
As the fashion industry moves towards a more sustainable future and consumers become more concerned with their clothes’ eco-credentials, it’s worth investing in classics that will endure the test of time. The white shirt has proved itself over the decades to be an invaluable essential, lasting many seasons and never going out of style. Below are my five favourite ways to style this failsafe fashion choice.
Photo: @sophiaroe
For a celebration, it is all in the details
The white shirt may be masculine by design, but there are plenty of ways to feminise the look: if you’re dressing for a more festive occasion, look for details like an oversized collar, lace or ruffles. These details instantly transform the white shirt from an office staple to an after-work necessity. If frills are not to your liking, a masculine cut is instantly zhuzhed sequin skirt or a statement earring for your celebratory sartorial needs.
For the celebration...
Photo: @sylviemus
For the office, focus on tailoring
When dressing for work, opt for a sophisticated and clean cut to embody the most classic look. For statement tailoring, allow the bolder silhouette of your shirt to be reflected in your trousers or suit jacket for an outfit that will impress your colleagues, day after day. With that said, don't be afraid to manipulate the shape of your ensemble. One easy way to switch up the styling is to cinch the waist of your blazer with an understated belt.
For the office...
Photo: @pernilleteisbaek
For the weekend, opt for relaxed
For a chilled out day spent aimlessly strolling through the city, nothing could work better than a laid-back, boyfriend fit shirt. Choose something oversized that could have been stolen from the rack in your better half’s closet for the ultimate low-key option and leave the shirt loose. Worn with your softest blue denim and a pair of casual sandals, the look perfectly captures the weekend vibe.
For the weekend...
Photo: @iliridakrasniqi
For a dinner out, go for something simple
Going out and not sure what to wear? You can never go wrong with a white shirt, a pair of tailored trousers and a great heel: an effortless but impactful look. To pull it off, keep the statement pieces to a minimum and go for just one or two eye-catching elements, such as beautiful jewellery or a scrappy heel.
For the dinner out...
Photo: @xoxotsumi
For summer heat, consider materials
When it comes to summer style, there’s no doubt Jane Birkin did in best. To get that 1970s feel, pair your white shirt with flared jeans and a simple, straw bag. If you’re on holiday, throw the style rules out of the window – you’re not at work, so leave the business casual at home. One of my favourite ways to wear a white shirt on holiday is to pick a linen version, leave a few buttons undone and tie it at the waist – and no wardrobe hero works better as a beach cover up than the white shirt.
