Finding the perfect white shirt for work
Q. I love classic cotton shirts and need to refresh my current selection - who does the best ones?
A.My love affair with white shirts started on the day of my first ever job interview. I was so unsure of what to wear - this was my entrée into the fashion world. I had the right skirt but whatever I teamed it with it looked either too boho or too twee. After a last minute sprint around Gap, I found the perfect white shirt: narrow Peter Pan collar, fabric soft enough to tuck in but crisp enough to look smart.
A white shirt has ended many a style rut since, and I advocate them to any friend, client or colleague. I have at least five on the go at any one time - recently I’ve been pairing with a printed maxi skirt for meetings in the hot weather. The most important thing is that they are as white as can be - the moment they get grubby, they look terrible so be careful with that morning cup of coffee (you can carry a quick-fix stain pen if you’re accident prone). Because of this, the turnover of white shirts is probably higher than other items in your wardrobe - so unless you have a special occasion, don’t overspend on them.
Linen shirt, ￡89, Uterque
I break my white shirts down into four categories, the first being the slightly oversized “boyfriend” style. My port of call for these is usually COS as it uses a brilliant stiff cotton which holds its shape. They have loads of options including collarless styles which are handy when you want to put a jacket on top. Wear these with a classic pair of trousers or an A line skirt - the shape will loosen up a smart outfit but still look office appropriate.
The fashion editors' guide to dressing for work in the heatwave
A longer tunic shirt looks amazing worn with a pencil skirt or 3/4 length trousers, offering a slimmer silhouette, especially if you want to flatter a larger bust or tummy. Look for interesting details to break up the block of white: this Marks and Spencer’s one would look very chic with navy trousers.
Per Una poplin shirt, ￡35, M&S
The classic fitted shirt is still stylish and a staple throughout the corporate world; one client has a whole wardrobe dedicated to them with her initials embroidered on the breast pockets. To avoid looking too formal, pair them with modern shapes such as wide leg trousers or a midi skirt. Generally stores with a focus on tailoring have the best versions, see Massimo Dutti or Hugo Boss.
Finally, you can’t beat a statement white shirt to make an impact. The French brands are great for this, as proven by Maje’s open shouldered version - just keep out of the sun to avoid any odd tan lines.
