Buying the perfect white shirt can add that something special to your wardrobe, but what if you are not sure how to wear it?
As part of my ‘smart wardrobe‘ series, I have created a quick ‘how to wear it’ guide to help you get the white shirt look right. The key is to make it look effortlessly polished. This is what it is all about. Let’s take a look at how it’s done with this one simple but perfect look.
1. Styling
A crisp white shirt is considered a ‘classic item’. This means that it falls under the ‘less is more’ category. You want to create a simple outfit that will let your perfect white shirt really stand out, just like this one.
So how do you achieve this? One way is to pair your white shirt with some clean cut trousers. Try some fitted ones like the ones above. This will give you the perfect silhouette and a more effortless style.
For a more casual look go for a loose fitting pair of trousers to get that comfortable relaxed look.
2. Accessories
Accessories can make or break your overall white shirt look, so don’t overdo it. If you do want to add a few, then make sure they are just little touches and of the same quality and standard as your white shirt.
The key is not to overshadow your perfect white shirt, but to complement it. Just like this belt above. A simple belt with a small amount of interesting details on the buckle is going fit much better than a great big attention grabbing one.
Stay understated.
3. How to wear your shirt
Knowing whether to tuck your shirt in or leave it hanging out is going to depend on you, your personal style, and the type of occasion you are wearing it for. If it’s quite a relaxed affair and there is definitely no dress code, then you might be okay with leaving it tucked out.
But my thoughts are as follows: if you have gone to the trouble of buying a quality item, then you should wear it in a ‘quality manner’.
In the image above, the shirt and the trousers come together neatly, so you can see that being tucked in will generally give you a better silhouette. Tucked in will also give a better finish to your outfit. However, it is best to go with the overall look and finish that each individual occasion demands and that you feel most comfortable with.
4. Final look
Paying attention to your shoes is key to finishing your final look.
Your shoes need to match up to the rest of your outfit if you want to really complete this kind of look. It doesn’t matter if you go for heels, flats, or boots, as long as they complement the overall look you are going for. Make sure that your shoes are in good order, clean and free from signs of damage. Scuffed toes will do nothing but ruin your look and attract unwanted attention to damaged areas.
It would be a shame to get this far and fall at the final furlong. You are looking for head to toe pressed and polished perfection.
5. Hair style
You might be wondering what your hair has to do with your wearing a perfect white shirt. Well it could be a lot actually.
If your shirt is crisp and neat and so is the rest of your outfit, then why not your hair? A polished outfit can be ruined by not paying enough due attention to your hair.
The polished look requires a natural and effortless hair style to match it, so don’t go crazy. Think about a natural style for your own hair and type. Complicated hair styles covered in product are not the right look here. You want something that is simple and natural looking, that will last all day if it needs to. This will help bring your effortless and polished look together in one.
Remember – this look is about being understated and polished not over styles and faffy. Simple elegance is never over complicated.
