7 Ways To Style A Simple White Shirt

If you ever had a part-time job as a teenager, you might still baulk at wearing a white shirt. For years, they made me think I was off to work in Pizzaland / Muswell’s Café Bar / some random corporate event that paid £3.50 an hour. To this day, I can’t wear a white shirt with black trousers. But to be fair, I actually really enjoyed being a waitress. I can still stack six plates up my arm (the secret is in the anchoring of the first one) and, if prompted, I could probably flip open a tray stand with one hand and place a large platter of food on it with the other. Some things you never forget.

I also never forget the Arab man who used to frequent Muswell’s in Camberley town centre on Saturday mornings around 11.30am. He always sat at the same small table by the front door and ordered the same thing, every time: a seafood salad and a cappuccino, which in 1989 cost around £8.50, all in. He ALWAYS paid with a £50 note and didn’t require change. You can only imagine the fights that would happen over getting that section once word got out about him. I think of him often. His generosity paid for many a night out.

Now, here are seven things to team with your white shirt this week.

WITH JEANS

I mean, of COURSE we have to start with jeans, and I’m not going to apologise for that. Elevate the simplest of looks by adding some excellent accessories and a pair of bright shoes. Jacket optional, but I’m also not apologising for including a wealth of red in this post. It’s a colour that I love, and I always feel less of a miserable cow when I wear it. This first shirt is by With Nothing Underneath. They have since branched out into other clothing items, but they started – and will always be focused on – making THE most perfect shirts. And in that, they excel. Plus you can get them monogrammed. You know how I feel about that.

Special mention also has to to Nico Eyewear. I only discovered this small brand last week, being sold out of the back of a ’68 Coupe DeVille. If that doesn’t grab your attention, I don’t know what will. His sunglasses are such amazing quality, too.

WITH SPORTY SHORTS

Fancy wearing some Adidas shiny shorts but don’t want to look like you’re training for the next World Cup? Add a white shirt, and swap your trainers for a pair of sandals. If you’re feeling brave, undo an extra button to show off your fancy bra. A word on bras with white shirts: if you don’t want it to show, don’t wear a white one. Stick with nude, red or even black underneath. It looks so much better.

WITH A MIDI SKIRT

Remember when Sharon Stone wore a white shirt and satin skirt to the Oscars? I do, and even though that was back in 1998, it’s still a great daytime-to-evening look that’s so easy to recreate.

WITH DENIM SHORTS

Because denim shorts — particularly Bermuda-style ones like these that I bought from Mango a while back — sometimes need a bit of dressing up so you don’t look like a teenage boy. Adding a crisp tailored white shirt, boat shoes and a couple of pieces of good jewellery should help create a more ‘I’m just off to check on my yacht in the harbour and I might have an Aperol Spritz later’ vibe rather than ‘I’m just off to sit in the park with my mates and drink a crate of Stella’.

WITH A SHORT SKIRT

One of my ‘rules’ — or rather, a guideline as I’m not a fan of rules — is that if I’m wearing something tight and possibly short on one half of my body, the other half should be nice and loose. Baggy jeans go great with more form-fitting tops, while shorter skirts or shorts work better with something loose-fitting. I have this shirt in blue. It’s not oversized, so I would recommend sizing up to get a more relaxed fit.

WITH SMARTER JEANS

Looking for an effortless evening look? I mean, aren’t we all? Pair your black jeans with your white skirt. Jeans are different to trousers: I don’t fear a black jeans / white shirt combo in the same way. Wear a lace cami or bralet underneath and add gold accessories. I’m a recent convert to H&M bralettes: they’re great, give decent support and are nice and pretty. I have this one, and this (in black and white), and I’ve also just bought this bandeau bra that is actually better than the Skims one I tried, plus it’s less than half the price.

Shout out to Memara jewellery, another small brand I discovered recently. Designed in Britain, made in India – they have some really pretty pieces at very reasonable prices.

WITH PJ STYLE TROUSERS

Finally, how do you wear those blue cotton striped summer trousers without looking like you’re out and about in your PJs? I don’t need to tell you the answer, as you already know. This is the white shirt I reach for most. I’ve had it for six years and it’s still my favourite.

I hope this has given you some white shirt inspiration for the forthcoming week. If you do end up wearing yours, please tag me on Instagram so I can see.

Kate x

WearsMyMoney

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