Wardrobe Staple: The White Shirt (& Link Up)

August 23, 2018

Okay, can I be honest here?  I was late to game when it comes to appreciating the sophisticated and classy iconic white shirt.  I would always read the white shirt on the list of must-have items for women, but I didn’t get it.  I mean … first of all, it’s white and going to get dirty, right? And second of all, it probably needs ironing.

Lafayette 148 ny iconic white shirt

But with age comes comes an appreciation of timeless, versatile, sophisticated pieces .. and when it comes to those categories, nothing beats the white shirt.

I was trying to decide whether I wanted my next installment of the wardrobe staples series to be about the moto jacket or the white shirt.  Then Lafayette 148 NY asked me if they could send me an iconic white shirt to support a fund raiser for a school in China, I certainly couldn’t say no to that … and so my decision was made. (You know I’ll get to the moto jacket soon, Dolls.)

My Lafayette 148 NY shirt an Italian Stretch Cotton Katie Shirt. This shirt is made of fine cotton yarns mixed with elastic technology, for the look of a crisp white shirt, but with enough stretch for ultimate fit and comfort. Beautifully made, the shirt will be in my wardrobe for years to come.

I’m also sharing my J.Jill white A-line tunic shirt and my linen Chico’s No-Iron Collection shirt (not quite white, but close enough).  I love both these shirts and if you’ve been following me for awhile you’ve seen them both several times.

The styling options for a white shirt are so unlimited that I don’t even know where to start.  Wear your white shirts with trousers or a pencil skirt for work. Unbutton an extra button and add some flirty earrings for date night.  Tuck your white shirt into a pair of jeans and add a nice belt.  Layer your white shirt under a sleeveless scoop neck sheath or fit and flare dress for extra interest. Wear the shirt unbuttoned over a cami or tank top with a pair of Bermuda shorts. Wear with a gauzy summer maxi and a fun beaded belt.  Layer your white shirt under that cool moto jacket!

How do you wear your white shirt, Dolls?  Tag me next time you post a photo of yourself wearing one on Instagram or Facebook so I can get even more ideas!  Maybe I’ll put together a collage of ideas!

 

SHOPPING LINKS

Of course I had to pick a white shirt look for this week’s feature.  Here’s Lesley contributor to J’s Touch of Style wearing her classic white shirt in a fun casual summer way!

 

So, give me your two cents, Dolls.  What do you think of the white shirt? Is it a wardrobe staple? Do you have one in your closet that you love and wear regularly?  Let me know in the comments below.

Remember you can always check out the rest of the wardrobe staple series when you use the menu at the top of the blog!

Also on the blog this week, a special post just for my pear-shaped readers with shopping advice and styling tips.  If you’re not a pear, but know one, please share!  It took me a lot of trial and error to learn these tips and I’m happy to help other women dress in the most flattering way possible!

Fun & Fashion

Dawn Lucy


Link Ups: Visible Monday! Shoe and Tell!  #iwillwearwhatilike link up! Hello Monday! How I Summer! Creative Mondays!  Turning Heads Tuesday! Confident Tuesday!   Style Perspectives! Trendy Wednesday! Style on the Daily!  Jersey Girl Texan Heart! Color and Grace! Thursday Fashion Files! Chic and Stylish! Labour of Fashion! Thursday Favorite Things!  Thursday Moda! Top of the World Style!  Welcome to the Weekend! Passion for Fashion! Fabulous Friday!   Flashback Fashion Fridays! Weekend Wear Link Up!  Edge of the Week! Nancy’s Fashion Style!   Sharing a Journey!

 

 

27 Comments

  • Reply Diana Ferguson August 23, 2018 at 7:34 pm

    Your look with the black and white booties is off the hook. I too was late in coming to appreciate white shirts but I now have a couple from Cabi that I love. I prefer when they have asymmetric or unusual styling like the one in the photo I referenced above!

  • Reply jodie filogomo August 23, 2018 at 7:56 pm

    How sweet that you featured Lesley!! Thanks so much, Dawn!!
    I remember when I had a ton of white blouses growing up, and now I just have a few. But the few I have really are versatile….and spilling on them? It’s the best reason to go shopping for another one!!
    XOXO
    Jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

  • Reply Maria | passion fruit, paws and peonies August 23, 2018 at 10:14 pm

    I love wearing a white shirt. If the cut it good, it’s immediately and effortlessly chic. I love your choice Dawn Lucy – the kimono sleeves bring it bang on trend. You wear it so well xx

  • Reply Nancy August 23, 2018 at 11:44 pm

    I almost never wear a white blouse. But I do love those jeans! And jeans and a white blouse is a classic cool combination!

  • Reply Anna Marcus August 24, 2018 at 12:33 am

    i love a crisp white shirt, it’s such an old classic You are absolutely right, Dawn, the options are limitless.
    https://lookingfabulousat50.blogspot.com/

  • Reply Laurie August 24, 2018 at 1:06 am

    Perfect styling as always xx

  • Reply Aileen Wrennall August 24, 2018 at 2:36 am

    It looks great on you, but so does everything. I think this is a very versatile option and can be styled in so many ways. As always you look fabulous Dawn Lucy xxx

  • Reply Kathrine Eldridge August 24, 2018 at 4:03 am

    Love how chic and sophisticated this white button down is! Best wardrobe staple. Thanks for the link up!

    https://www.kathrineeldridge.com

  • Reply Kellyann Rohr August 24, 2018 at 4:19 am

    Nothing beats a great white shirt! I think a good quality, well fitting shirt is the most important piece in a wardrobe.
    xo,
    Kellyann

  • Reply Julie Caron August 24, 2018 at 4:42 am

    I love a white shirt and jeans, especially a cotton tee or a linen button down.

  • Reply Kim August 24, 2018 at 5:08 am

    You’ve styled your shirt so well and made it look very chic. Do you have a link for the wide cropped denim pants/culottes in your first photo?

  • Reply Kim August 24, 2018 at 5:10 am

    Found your similar cropped pants via Insta. Thx.

  • Reply CHERIE August 24, 2018 at 5:37 am

    I adore the white shirt. Nothing better to have in your wardrobe, except maybe a blue oxford shirt. And those wide leg jeans are fabulous! Thank you for hosting.

    Cherie
    http://www.stylenudge.com
    STYLE NUDGE

  • Reply Amy August 24, 2018 at 8:14 am

    You look fabulous in this outfit. So sophisticated and chic!

  • Reply Emma Peach August 24, 2018 at 8:38 am

    Everyone needs at least one classic white shirt, they’re so versatile. I love how you’ve styled yours!

    Emma xxx
    http://www.style-splash.com

  • Reply Joi @INMYJOI August 24, 2018 at 8:39 am

    The 1st one is my all time fav, LOVE the way you styled it and your sandals are so cute!!
    Xx
    Joi | http://www.inmyjoi.blogspot.com

  • Reply Andrea@WellnessNotes August 24, 2018 at 9:26 am

    I really love the look of “the perfect” white shirt. It’s so chic. Yours are great! I’ll have to look for a good non iron one as I really don’t enjoy ironing… 😉

    Thanks for the link up & have a wonderful week!

    Andrea
    Andrea’s Wellness Notes

  • Reply Lise August 24, 2018 at 9:57 am

    Your white shirt outfit looks sexy. When I wear a white shirt I tend to look matronly. I must try different styling approaches. Thanks for the inspo. Lise

  • Reply Cheryl Shops August 24, 2018 at 10:27 am

    I love the white shirt and culottes look—it’s totally classic with a twist, and your accessories are just so good! You can’t beat a white shirt with jeans!
    Cheryl Shops | http://www.cherylshops.net

  • Reply Nailil August 24, 2018 at 5:39 pm

    A white shirt is really a must for any closet. There are just so many ways to wear one and I love each way you styled it.

    Xx, Nailil
    http://thirtyminusone.com/

    • Reply Dawn Lucy August 31, 2018 at 1:00 pm

      Agreed! 😀

  • Reply Shelbee on the Edge August 25, 2018 at 6:26 am

    Fantastic styling as always, Dawn! I do love a classic white shirt and I own many different versions from tunic and dress length ones to boyfriend style to traditional classic white button downs in long and short sleeves. I wear the tunic length one over cut off shorts, the dress one with knee high socks, and the boyfriend one tied at the waist with jeans. So many styling options with a white button down!

    Shelbee
    http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

    • Reply Dawn Lucy August 31, 2018 at 1:00 pm

      Yes super versatile!

  • Reply Elizabeth Day August 28, 2018 at 9:59 am

    I just added a new tunic style white shirt to my fall/winter wardrobe. There are so many possibilities for this top. Will be featuring it on my blog a few weeks.

    • Reply Dawn Lucy August 31, 2018 at 12:46 pm

      Oh let me know when you feature it and I’ll pop by!

  • Reply Ruth August 28, 2018 at 9:16 pm

    This is such a classic button down! I love that you totally upped the fashion with those heels and that belt! Love it!

    http://www.mylittlenest.org

    • Reply Dawn Lucy August 31, 2018 at 12:42 pm

      Well, thanks so much, Ruth!

    Leave a Reply to Julie Caron Cancel Reply

    I accept the Privacy Policy