Ha! I’d never even THOUGHT about this. A nude bra is my default under any white top, but another layer of white would definitely give the outer layer more pop. As this advice is coming down from the Goddess of White Button-downs, I’m taking it to heart.

I’m honoured to be named the goddess of white button-down shirts. I happily accept! You are adorable, Sal. We enjoy receiving your light hearted and witty comments on this site. Thank you.

I had totally avoided white button downs for the simple reason that they were always so much more “sheer” than other colors. I HATE when my bra shows through my clothing. But now that you have pointed out this simple yet very smart trick I think I might just pull that old white button down out of the back of the closet (or the give away basket, wherever I put it) and give it a try. I might just develop a fancy for them!

Angie thanks so much for another one of your life changing tips for me! You are so sweet to share your little fashion secrets like this.

The white blouse you feature is beautiful. With the tie in back is it acceptable for those of us over 40?

Thank you!

Now that it has gotten much cooler outside I will definitely try white on white layering. I bought a couple of white blouses this summer that are slightly transparent so I have only worn them with nude colored bras. A white cami would look good underneath.

Angie, I’ve been wearing my white shirts this way since you mentioned it on the forum some time back. It made a HUGE difference. It makes me want to wear a white shirt every day!

Bobs your uncle, ladies! I’m glad the penny dropped.

Marianne, I’ll share my “goddess of white shirts” title with you

Debbie, a tie at the back is totally appropriate on this type of sophisticated shirt. It’s a style preference though. Not everybody is into it.

I do white on white in the cooler months but in the summer, if I wear a white button down, it’s as a jacket, open under a summer-y top or tank.

I also am careful wearing white because it seems to get dirty and stay dirty. I use Acqua Net hairspray [yes really] to get out ink stains but haven’t conquered the ‘dirty cuff’ syndrom. Any tips?

Oh, that does get on my nerves when my white cuffs get that stainey look. I’ll get to work, roll up my sleeves, instantly regret it and back down they go! It’s not like I’m playing in a sandbox at my desk all day! How do they get that way??

“I see many women wearing nude or white bras under their white tops and nothing else. Although the color of the bra works, it doesn’t look so fab.”

You’re not saying that a white bra “works” under a white shirt, are you? I thought that was a major no-no.

I’m in total agreement! Now I’m just waiting for the white camis with built-in padded bras for those with an A cup or smaller.

I love white! Especially contrasting white with other vibrant solids… it gives a crisp, clean look and works great with accessories.

Oh gosh, now even nude bras aren’t okay under white shirts? Now what’s a girl who can’t find camisoles that fit to do?

Great tip. This is another one of these things that I would never have thought of.

Thank you! This is one of those questions I’ve hesitated to ask, but I’ve been wondering about. All summer I’ve been wearing a white knit top from the GAP with a white cami underneath, secretly wondering if it was okay. I tried it with a nude cami but it just didn’t look as nice. Since it’s still in the 90’s here in Los Angeles, I’ll probably keep wearing that top. I am SO ready for fall.

Thank you so much for this tip! Is it ok to wear white camisoles with a large amount of lace under white blouses? Some of the texture shows through, but I’m not sure if the look is good or is just calling attention to the under layer and therefore tacky.

I don’t know if this has been touched upon in any of the other cami-related posts –

Do any of my fellow busty gals (I know you’re out there!) have a favorite cami? I rarely wear them because they give me a giant uniboob. Has anyone else experienced this, and can it be remedied?

Surely there must be a more fitted, darted cami somewhere? I know I’m limiting my wardrobe by avoiding them.

I often wear a baby pink camisole under my more delicate short-sleeved white shirts and generally feel this gives me a more feminine look that I often lack. I don’t think this works with a plainer white shirt, especially with long-sleeves, and I can see how the brilliant-ness of the white shirt might be lost over this colour. I will have to pay closer attention to this next time I venture out in a white shirt!

Beth, I am busty and I do not have this problem. Assuming you’re wearing a good supportive bra, my only other guess is that you’re wearing camis with shelf bras? If not, I don’t know what could be causing the uniboob. Perhaps try one like the one Angie posted that’s more of a v neck, which will separate in the middle.

OMG – I am guilty of wearing the flesh colored bra…YIKES!! I always thought that a cami would add bulk but this one seems very thin. I think I will buy it b/c I love white button down shirts. Oh, dear…no wonder my white shirts looked boring…thanks for the tip…

I was raised to never wear just a beige bra under a white blouse.

I have a white cami now, but in the past I’ve had lace camisoles, hanro tshirts and silk camisoles.

Now that it’s all-cami-all-the-time, I am looking forward to a resurgence of lacy underneath clothing again. Its coming I think.

At least I hope.

Do you still wear a bra with it or just a cami? Does the cami above have built in padding?

I think Angie has said that she always wears a bra with the cami, even those with built in shelf bras.

My wardrobe would not function without camis. I actually wear a cami every day, no matter what shirt or dress I’m wearing. It makes your shirt fit better and look more polished. I have a few colors, but the white and black ones get the most use.

to beth

i don’t know of any darted camisole on the market. however, i do want to point you to a cami with a built in molded bra, made especially for big boobs. its made by the brand panache and is their number one selling item. you can buy it at lionslairdesigns.com.

also i don’t think hanro will work under a white shirt for a busty gal. i am a devoted fan of hanro and wear them, yet they do all pull across the bust line, which i believe will show through a white shirt.

a sales lady at neiman marcus years ago told me that europeans aren’t afraid of having a little lace show through their tops, i.e. a lace bra under a white shirt. my bra industry sources tell me that the molded phenom is purely an american thing. thus i enjoy sporting a modest lace outline underneath a woven shirt.

I often wear a white cami under my tops also. I have a stretchy one from Express that has gotten a lot of use. Often I use the cami to layer for interest or due to a lower cut neckline. And I’ve avoided white tops lately because it seems like a lot of trouble to have to wear in warmer weather so this is something I will have to think about.

[...] tops: They often need a camisole to make them look whiter and less see-through which is not ideal in sweltering weather, but it’s worth it if you’re in [...]

Do any of you know brands of camis that are long, for those of us who are tall with long torsos? All camis that I can find seem to only reach halfway down my ribcage.