white shirt styled three ways | fashion squared

it’s all about a classic white shirt styled three ways. who doesn’t like to see one item styled multiple ways? or how about an oversized white shirt? recently, on our YouTube channel, we introduced a new style series called Fashion Squared. this series will showcase the multiple ways we can inject our personality into outfits created by wardrobe staples like a simple white shirt.

white shirt styled three ways

for me, there’s nothing better than a crisp white button-down. but if you find yourself thinking button-downs just don’t look good on you, take heart. there are so many options available when it comes to the humble white shirt. maybe your version doesn’t entail buttons at all! take a peek at a few that caught my eye.

oversized shirt 

today, i decided an oversized white shirt would be a fun style challenge. so i grabbed one purchased from Athleta for a trevel junket last spring read here and chose three different ways to style it. 

white shirt fun facts 

a classic white shirt is always office-appropriate and perfect for a nine-to-five look. but have you ever wondered how this iconic classic earned the nickname white-collar in reference to social class? it all started in the early nineteenth century or what is commonly called the Victorian Era. way back then the working class could not afford to have their clothes laundered as often as the upper class. it was a saturday chore for most and we all know a white shirt needs frequent washing to keep it in pristine condition. but a blue collared shirt more readily hides stains. these social conditions led to a distinction between the upper class and working class based solely on their apparel. the terms white collar and blue collar were born.

by the end of the nineteenth century, the white dress shirt with its stiff collar and fitted shape began to evolve and became more affordable. men were seen everywhere from church to the promenade sporting a classic white shirt. early in the twentieth century, the Prince of Wales(a fashion icon) exchanged white shirts in favor of fluid colored ones. now the simple white shirt was used less to distinguish class and began to take on a symbol of masculinity, power, and respectability. it wasn’t long before businesses like IBM mandated dress codes for their employees and utilized white shirts. but with better manufacturing techniques the stiff collar was replaced with a relaxed fit and the fit began to change yet again.

it wasn’t long before movie stars and musicians began to interpret the white shirt. anyone remember the Beatles wearing a black suit, white button-down, and tie? but how, exactly, did women begin to incorporate this classic into their wardrobe? again, we have Coco Chanel to thank when she combined an iconic menswear staple with one of her jersey suits. the difference this time was the collar was unbuttoned. but the white shirt was now a fashion statement for women. in the fifties screen actresses like Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, and Marilyn Monroe repurposed the classic white shirt, wearing their own versions and catapulting a simple button-down into an iconic classic. 

outfits from the video white shirt styled three ways are linked below

outfit #1

shirt |similar denim | similar black leather moto | red mules | similar black handbag 

outfit #2

shirt | chino shorts | denim jacket | scarf | ballet flats 

outfit #3

shirt | faux leather pants | black pumps | similar handbag 

today, there are so many versions of a white shirt – button-down, tuxedo, non-iron, silk, cotton, statement sleeves, the choices are endless. which white shirt is your favorite?

Beth Djalali

is the Founder and CEO of Style at a Certain Age. She writes Sundays-Fridays on all topics ranging from fashion, health, wellness, home design and more.

She’s 65, 5’8, and size 8.

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