When it comes to the staples of our wardrobes, what's more classic than the white button-down shirt? Damn well nothing: It takes us from the office to weekend brunch and back again with only minor styling tweaks. There's nothing — nothing! — like a crisp white shirt to add elegance to anything you wear.
My white button-down of choice is this asymmetric number ($49, Zara), which I love because of its unusually versatile hem and wrinkle-resistant fabric.
So without further adieu, here are seven awesome, not-boring-at-all ways to wear a white shirt. Get ready to get inspired.
Monday: Rebel without a cause.
Blue jeans with a white shirt is a classic look for a reason: it's just so damn cool. Leave the first two buttons undone and roll your sleeves up for the perfectly undone spring look. I'm wearing cuffed jeans that I stole from my boyfriend, my leather jacket, and pointy pumps ($80, DSW).
Oh, you're saying you'd like to see this look with the jacket on?
Your wish is my command!
Cool as hell.
Tuesday: Carmel Snow rules the world.
I cannot tell a lie: Skintight pants are my silhouette of choice, and I have been UNMOVED by recent attempts to force us back into bootcut jeans. Over my dead body, fashion. However, then I tried these totally insane wide-legged, high-waisted pants — more on them very soon — and fell in love. With loafers ($170, Everlane) and a freshly ironed white shirt, this is pure 1920s editrix fierceness — and naturally that's what I want to channel every single day.
Wednesday: Post-work WINESDAY realness.
Sometimes a girl has to run straight to Happy Hour from the office, and who has time to go home and change first? Nah. A simple white shirt tucked in to an A-line black skirt is simple and chic; the addition of a sparkly brooch pinned at the throat ($49 for two, Baublebar) and pointy boots ($125, GEOX at Amazon) make it really fun.
Thursday: Layering 101.
White shirts aren't just awesome on their own; they also make amazing layering pieces. I'm wearing it under a slouchy black dress and awesome boots, because I like the way the severity of the shirt contrasts with the looseness of the dress.
Speaking of, this "dress" is actually a jersey nightgown from Target</a>; I always get the most extravagant compliments when I wear it because people think it's by some really expensive designer. The lesson here is to always look for cool pieces in unexpected places. You never know what you'll find.
Friday: DATE NIGHT.
Just because you wear it to work doesn't mean a white shirt can't also be really sexy. Wear it unbuttoned — we're talking J.Lo levels of sternum exposure here — with tight jeans and a black lacy bra, and you'll literally feel like the hottest person alive. I'm also rocking the shit out of my bright blue heels, because blue is pretty much the only color I like these days.
Saturday: French Riviera vacation, 1962.
Does anything look cooler in that Jay Gatsby kind of way than a white shirt with white pants? Exactly. Unbutton your sleeves and roll them up to match the casual vibe of your half-tucked in shirt for maximum leisure-on-a-yacht looks. I'm wearing stretchy skinny jeans ($115, J.Crew) and awesome Quay cat-eye sunglasses ($50, Urban Outfitters) while I carry my vintage faux-fur collar. Y'know, in case I get cold on my cruise.
Sunday: Goth Betty Draper goes to a black-tie gala.
Wearing a collared shirt to a formal event? Yep, it's possible. I like the opaque whiteness of this top paired with the lightness of a striped mesh skirt ($65, & Other Stories) and chunky heels.
Photos by Hannah Page and L. Smith, who are both awesome.
