I Need Tuxedo Shirt Inspiration! ETA Pics Added - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

I Need Tuxedo Shirt Inspiration! ETA Pics Added

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Last season I bought a tuxedo shirt from J Crew that I absolutely love, but I tend to not wear it so much. Why is that, I wonder? Normally I am able to mix up my clothes pretty well. I know several others bought it, too, Angie and Suz comes to mind, but there were others too, or am I wrong? Would you mind sharing ideas?

How do you wear it if you have it? How would you wear it if you got it? Visuals would be fantastic.

Thanks!

ETA:

After seeing all the fab suggestions Inge came up with, I was inspired to dig into my archives and also try a few new combinations. I must warn you, though: Today's photos are not up to my usual standard at all, as I had no time for tripods and several takes. Please, please ignore the spotty mirror, too.

By putting all these photos together, I have rekindled my love for this shirt, and I think I'm going to wear it to a dinner party this weekend, maybe as in #5.

I'm still very much interested in seeing how you wear this, Angie, Suz, Tanya and anyone else who has pictures to share!

This post has 9 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Dressing

26 replies

Latest reply was from gryffin

ramya

Veteran

Is there a reason why you can't see it as another white shirt? I would consider white shirt to be super versatile with your mix and match ability Ingunn

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

I know, Ramya! It puzzles me, too. It is after all a white shirt, but it is not as versatile as my basic button down. I guess it has to do with the front panel, which is a lot more prominent and difficult to layer over. It is also more boxy than my other white shirt. But I really love it, and the fabric is wonderful.

ramya

Veteran

Ahhh!!! now I get it...

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/157274211960861999/

Hmmm does this help?

Inge

(website)

I have the same shirt, Ingunn, and I so get what you are saying. I wear it a lot less than I had originally imagined too (and I seem to remember Angie mentioning this as well). I'm not really sure why it's turning out to be less versatile than I had hoped. I think I've only worn it with slim-fitting black or grey pants + white Converse Hi-ness Sneakers or animal print booties. And semi-tucked into boyfriend jeans + patterned belt + solid-coloured or animal print booties.

Off to find us some visuals

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I wish I could offer inspiration, Ingunn. Mine is a bit of a closet orphan, too! I wore it several times in the spring, just on its own with jeans and sometimes a jacket thrown over it. But I don't wear button downs very often in my winter work-at-home capsule -- and I haven't found myself reaching for this shirt on my going-to-the-city days, either! Part of that is concern about wrinkling in the suitcase, but part is just a sense that I can't really style it all that well.

So I'm not much help. Maybe we can challenge ourselves to come up with some styling options.

I do agree that it feels tougher to layer over it, somehow, and yet on its own it doesn't seem like quite enough at times. Or at least not in our cooler temperatures where we tend to need to layer.

Inge

(website)

(Completely agree with what Suz wrote too.)

Here are a few looks I found on Pinterest.

- Tucked into a (patterned or solid-coloured) pencil skirt (+ skinny belt)
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/229191068507077499/
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/27443878950373852/

- Or tucked into a full or A-line skirt
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/230950287112807414/

- Tucked into a casual skirt + long cardigan
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/143904150562817855/

- Striped skirt + opaque tights + booties + leather jacket
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/8233211791313892/

- A variation on Angie's blazer + sneaker look with a chic printed blazer:
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/33847434673484682/

And the blogger over at Style Pantry has some interesting looks with a tuxedo shirt too:

- I love this one!
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/126311964520288112/
(I also like the idea of a silky track pant as a variation on the dressy pants here)

- http://www.pinterest.com/pin/156218680797193976/
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/428616089506540587/
(I hadn't thought of this yet: layering the shirt under a sweater vest or waistcoat with a fairly open neckline so that a nice amount of shirt is still showing, blazer optional)
> perhaps this could even work with one of your sheath dresses, Ingunn, if the neckline is a little lower?

- Camo pants or other patterned or print pant + moto style jacket and fun booties or shooties
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/126311964520761142/

- Tucked or semi-tucked into bootcut or flared jeans with a wide belt
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/126311964520475756/

- Same idea but with a fun blazer and a big pendant necklace
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/339247784400671199/

- Bright-coloured jeans or trousers and a blazer in a contrasting colour
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/239464905156973105/

Oh and this one made me smile, I was searching Pinterest and came across one of your own pins
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/231302130835173894/
Have you tried this look yet, Ingunn?

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Thank you, Ramya - that's a great outfit. My shirt is quite a bit stiffer, though, so it would look a little different.

Inge and Suz - I'm relieved to hear that I'm not the only one. I also think Angie has mentioned this. I'm not giving up, though, and a styling challenge sounds fun.

I've paired this with my leather moto with some success. I think a tube skirt should work, but I only have pencils, which read more formal. I've also tried wide legged pants and belt. To me, pairing it with a blazer requires a casual bottom to keep it from getting too formal or classic for my lifestyle.

We can do this!

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Inge, you're a genious! We double posted, but I'm off to study your links now Thanks!

Tanya

Veteran

I also own this shirt, and have also found that I wear it less than I thought I will. So far I have copied Angie's blazer and sneakers look, tucked it into BF jeans with animal belt and few others I do not remember.
For me the main issue is that I think of it as a "star" of the outfit as opposed to a "supporting act" if that makes sense. Plain white shirt can be layered under lots of things such as pullovers while this tuxedo one this can not. I prefer to wear it either on its own or with an open topper such as blazer and jacket to showcase the tuxedo detailing. But honestly, I am happy to have one special white shirt to be worn in this way.
Inge, great job, those are some cool ideas!

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

inge, that's tons of inspiration right there. Thank you! I haven't tried the red suit + tux look because I never found too in my budget for the Zara suit. I have played a little with my own pieces, though, and will post some visuals as soon as I have then on my computer.

Tanya, I think that's it. This shirt is not a supporting act, and deserves to be prominent in the outfit. I agree that that's okay, but I still would like to wear it more than 1-2 times per three months.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

I've updated the thread with a few pics, some old and some new ones. Does it work ok with my skirts?

ramya

Veteran

I like it like in 9... Really love it.
Ingunn do you still have your res pants?
Can you try it with it?

Tucked in with your fab Mette Moller belt

Von

Veteran

I want to adopt all of your orphan tuxedo shirts and give them a loving home! My problem is that I don't need extra chest area embellishments, but I have drooled over this same shirt many times.

I think unbuttoning it gives it edge, I love the way it looks that way, and with the blazers as well. As for layering, with a shirt with a very wide V, it could be a really snazzy alternative to your plain white shirt, but you'll have to search for that wide V that's wide on your front. On me, this style is a very wide V. I think you could also wear it under a deep front wrap dress and button it all the way for a cute look.

Anonymous

I love all your new stylings! Beautiful.

Tanya

Veteran

Love all the ways you have styled it. Beautiful. Hope you wear it a lot.

Here are the only two photos I have that I already described.

This post has 2 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Anonymous

Great job Ingunn! Hopefully that shirt will get a lot more wear now.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You did a great job with these outfits, Ingunn.

I love my white tux shirt. Love it. I like it best worn on its own with a cami, which means NO layers and I need warm weather. For me, it's a Summer thing, maybe with a blazer or lightweight leather jacket when I'm cold. Always with jeans, checked pants or cigarette pants. Sometimes with my Tokyo suit or Theory suit.

Personally, I don't think it's essential to find many, many mix and match combinations for an item. Find "just enough". Instead, wear the combinations you like best over and over again, and leave it at that. I happen to prefer all my button down shirts (and blouses) un-layered actually, which means that they function like a t-shirt in warm weather. I do not wear shirts and blouses under knitwear anymore (it's been about two years now). Soooooooo, that means wearing them less. That's a style choice, and not necessarily a bad one. Never let your clothes boss you around.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Love the ideas on here for any white shirt really! I think sometimes I feel like I have to keep a white shirt extra pristine or something - like it *has* to be crisp and professional. Maybe treating as "just another white shirt" and not fretting over a few wrinkles or feeling that it's supposed to be more formal or professional would be one way to get yourself to wear it more? I know some of us on YLF tend to still want to "save" our good clothes for special times.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Von, thanks for the idea! I do have a wrap dress that I could try layering over.

Tanya, those are great looks. I adore the sassy sneaker/tux shirt combination in particular.

Thank you, Angie! I see what you mean. I also prefer to not have anything over this shirt, but in my climate, that wouldn't be very practical most of the time. My solution in Winter is to have a coat or jacket that I can remove while indoors. I think it makes perfect sense to not layer with this shirt under anything. I do have other shirts for that anyway. I'm opting for "enough" here, and I'll be the boss of that desicion

Tex, there you have it. This is - if not a quite ordinary white shirt - not something I should worry too much about. It's all in how we perceive it, right?

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

I got it too! I've worn it twice with my tuxedo jacket and a black bow tie. I haven't worn it in casual combinations.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

What fantastic links, Inge! And your photos are great, Ingunn. As are yours, Tanya! Thank you. That's some great inspiration.

Looking at these I think I might try it with my denim pencil skirt and booties. The denim will dress it down a bit.

I am relieved by what Angie says, as well. I also feel it's not necessary to create endless mix and match with every item. And for me, some items really are seasonal -- so they get a lot of wear for 6 weeks and then hardly any until the next weather-appropriate moment comes around. This shirt might be one of those items, but I won't put it into my "out of season" closet simply because I can see wearing it in a sort of "dressed down dressy" look as you are envisioning, Ingunn -- out to a dinner party with a full skirt, for example.

Like Angie, I notice that I don't wear button downs under knits very often any more. They go on their own or under a jacket. So that makes them more spring/ summer/ early fall pieces than deep fall/ winter pieces in my climate.

Once in a while I'll layer a chambray shirt or a white shirt under a sweater -- but I find I do it less and less frequently --- unless the shirt is silk. It has to do with the feeling of bunchiness a crisp cotton shirt can create under a sweater. As well as my preference for the cleaner lines of the less layered look.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

High five, Suz and Ingunn.

Jude

I don't have that shirt, but how would I wear it if I got it? Exactly like Modgrl: with a tuxedo jacket and a bow tie (and a pair of dress pants). SO COOL. Sadly that means that I would never get wear it, so I don't buy it. I understand that if you have it you might need to find a way to dress it down a little bit, but at the same time let it shine. I like it best with jeans and a blazer (worn open), I think, and agree with Angie: there's no need to find numerous combinations.

JillG

Is part of the styling problem the length of the shirt? Might it be easier to style if it were, say, an inch or two shorter?

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Good question! I'm not sure. Yes, the length makes it harder, but on the other hand, a shortening would probably emphazise the boxy nature of it. Anyway, you have a keen eye! Thanks for pointing that out. I'll definitely think about it.

gryffin

Veteran

Hi Ingunn- I bought this shirt several years ago to replace a beloved AT tuxedo shirt that I totally wore out. I love this kind of shirt but to me it's theater and I try and play up it's drama and the magic that to me goes with all things black tie. I like it best tucked in and I honestly play up and to type. I often do up all the buttons and often have worked it with a tuxedo jacket with skinny jeans rolled or unrolled and booties, with black rhinestone western belt additionally I've added a black jacquard vest with or without the jacket. I've worn the above with black skinnies, heeled chunky booties and a black patent and swarovski belt. I've worn the shirt unbuttoned a bit with a white lacy cami with tux jacket with sleeves scrunched for that kind of androgenous after black tie disheveled look. I think the magic for me is to play to the edge of costume keeping the le smoking vibe going and then add in a disparate element - the rhinestone belt, a bola tie, with a chunky stomp on you bootie, the lace cami. Anyway love it and I hope you find your perfect key to styling it!!