The white shirt has been a mainstay in women’s wardrobes for decades. From 1070s-inspired menswear versions to frilly, neo-Victorian styles, over the years this classic has topped everything from boyfriend jeans to ballgown skirts. And this season, the style makes its biggest comeback ever.
“I love white shirts because they feel like a security blanket,” designer Carolina Herrera told Vogue a few years ago. “You can wear the white shirt with anything—the most important thing is the fit. If it fits well, and you like the way it looks, you can accessorise it with diamonds or with nothing. It’s up to you.” Herrera has been churning out her signature white shirts since 1981 and said she isn’t stopping anytime soon.
While the white shirt never truly goes out of fashion, occasionally it makes a notable splash on the runways. This season, designers like Tory Burch, Oscar de la Renta and Michael Kors sent models down the catwalk in many different interpretations, employing sheer fabrics, lace and other frilly details to punch up the pure hue. So whether you prefer a classic tailored style with a menswear-inspired collar (a la Carolina Herrera) or a ruffled-collar, puffy-sleeve silhouette that would make Queen Victoria (or the cast of Seinfeld) proud, there’s a white shirt for you right now.
How to wear it? Accessorize it with a lady tie for a chic daytime look, pair it with a textured skirt and embellished cropped jacket for a holiday party, or wear it casually over your favorite worn-in jeans for running around town. But remember: When it comes to the LWS (little white shirt), rules are there are no rules.
To see how some of our blogger friends are wearing the look, and to find out where to buy the perfect white shirt, check out Red Typewriter’s Pinterest page.
The Great White Way: White-hot fall 2015 runway looks from (left to right) Carven, Michael Kors, Oscar de la Renta, Rodarte, Tory Burch.
Wrap a loose “lady tie” around your white shirt for a classic look. Photo courtesy of LesMechantes.com.
Jerry Seinfeld immortalized the Puffy Shirt. PHOTO COURTESY OF NBC.
Designer Carolina Herrera believes a crisp white shirt should be a staple in every woman’s wardrobe.
