I can so relate. I tried. I wanted soo much to include one in my curent wardrobe. A cotton one, has to be ironed and kept pristine, then I felt it too stiff and If not layering anything over it makes me huge. I tried with sheer lightweight wrinckle cotton ones, too-but the,n they are too casual for work. As never ever saw one in true silk I tried the silky feelin'(aka drapey poliester) blouses, too- but haven't much luck either: it's too feminine/delicate for me and lacking any structure.
I once had a sleeveless poly one, and that was indeed easier to layer over-(mainly a cardi) so I agree with the ideea of trying one for you, too.
But then, there is also the lack of ideas on how to dress it for my everyday life. Pairing it with very dark/black bottoms/jackets feels like a pupil's uniform or so is too conventional and strict to me. I consider it really a great achievement fashion wise if somebody dresses the white shirt so well like Angie, or others on YLF(including Diana seen here:-))
The last time I wore a white shirt with confidence was 8(!) yrs.ago at a company function. That shirt was of a very thin white poplin, tailored and of a shorter length-like used to be fashionable then. It had big turned back cuffs and dramatic pointy collar. I wore it tucked in a grey midi jeans pencil, and topped it with a waist length chanelesque jacket. Jacket was various shades of burgundy/grey plaid, from a beautiful boucle and I poped the white collar outf from it under and turned the cuffs over the sleeves. We made a company pictie and was really pleased with how I looked as one of the executives. Polished enough but young and approachable. I think the textures and those great colors helped grounding the popps of impecable whites.
As I no longer am confident to tuck in, I wanted to replace that shirt with one of a longer length but never found one good enough, so finally gave up.
That said, I recently was really smitten by Mary K's version of croped over long. That solution really tickled my fancy. I may start looking after a new white shirt of a kind and try to layer it as Mary did. Otherwise, I'm cluless.
