https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-the-ominous-white-shirt Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 17 Apr 2026 04:16:00 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-the-ominous-white-shirt/page/2#post-1431743 Mon, 26 Jan 2015 13:02:04 +0000 Astrid 1431743@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Laura, I've never had one, so admittedly I know nothing about keeping them pristine... Not that pristine is something I aspire to, I've realised in the meantime that the look is not for me.</p> <p>Sterling, I guess if they mesh with a style they make great "tees".</p> <p>Harmonica, I've decided the typical white shirt isn't my thing and that's alright. This thread is older... I can see myself with a button down to layer with in another light color, but I think I'm going to stay away from white. </p> <p>abc, I didn't end up buying one, not even a cheap one to try it. I did look in stores for a while, but I just never liked myself in them when I tried them on. Or I was ambivalent about the look. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-the-ominous-white-shirt/page/2#post-1431742 Mon, 26 Jan 2015 12:58:32 +0000 abc 1431742@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is an old thread - but I would like to ask astrid what she ended up doing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-the-ominous-white-shirt/page/2#post-1431724 Mon, 26 Jan 2015 12:04:23 +0000 harmonica 1431724@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I can see a white shirt with your wardrobe - especially as a layering piece. </p> <p>How about looking at second hand stores and see if you can get a really cheap one just to test it? There are several really good ones in Berlin. Since it'll be cheap and you wouldn't wear it as is you could cut off the sleeves if they bother you. If you like the style, you could save up for a Boden piece or the like.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-the-ominous-white-shirt/page/2#post-1431708 Mon, 26 Jan 2015 10:44:34 +0000 Anonymous 1431708@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I own three white button downs. &nbsp;I can't imagine my wardrobe without them. &nbsp;Admittedly, I don't wear them much during the winter months, but they play a major role during the rest of the year. &nbsp;I think I consider them an easy fall back option. &nbsp;Perhaps I wear them as others might wear a teeshirt. &nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-the-ominous-white-shirt/page/2#post-1431629 Mon, 26 Jan 2015 03:18:47 +0000 Laura 1431629@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The white shirt. Yes! But our rag bag is full of them as per the staining! Sheesh, a dilemma for me since I love the look. So what I do is find the cheapest ones possible anywhere and as soon as the bright white vanishes and the underarm area becomes stained: pop, into the rag bag they go. I have tried all kinds of Internet concoctions to rid the stains to no avail.<br /> Not sure if it's the soap quality, washing machine, cotton issue etc.<br /> I will not even give them to our local charity. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-the-ominous-white-shirt/page/2#post-1194409 Fri, 14 Mar 2014 11:09:54 +0000 Astrid 1194409@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>April, that would be an issue, I agree. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-the-ominous-white-shirt/page/2#post-1194406 Fri, 14 Mar 2014 11:05:04 +0000 April 1194406@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have no strong feelings one way or the other about white shirts, but I do have strong feelings about sleeveless white shirts. &nbsp;It just seems&nbsp;impossible to keep the underarm pristine, and once it's not pristine -- ugh. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-the-ominous-white-shirt/page/2#post-1194404 Fri, 14 Mar 2014 11:00:53 +0000 Astrid 1194404@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks everyone for the new input! I might see if I find a second hand shirt to play with the look, although I'm usually not all that successful with thrifting. As for getting some lighter/brighter tops in general - it's a good idea, I'll keep my eyes open. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-the-ominous-white-shirt/page/2#post-1194019 Thu, 13 Mar 2014 23:45:39 +0000 MuseumGal 1194019@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Why don't you run over to your nearest Goodwill/2nd hand store and pick up a men's white button down for $2, and spend some time playing with it in your wardrobe?&nbsp; Heck get 2 and chop the arms off one as a sleeveless piece to play with.&nbsp; If you hate the whole thing, you've wasted only a few bucks, but if you see promise and want to experiment more, you can buy a better fitting version. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-the-ominous-white-shirt/page/2#post-1193863 Thu, 13 Mar 2014 20:22:14 +0000 L'Abeille 1193863@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love my white shirts! I used to "save" them for wearing to work, but them I took ANgie's advice about duplicating items that create laundry bottlenecks. Now I can easily wear a white shirt layered under a sweater with jeans on a Saturday, or tucked into a full skirt for church, and I feel so much more like "me" this way.</p> <p>I too find the white collar really useful in providing the brightness or contrast I need next to my face--it makes muddy mid-tones like grey go from blah to chic.</p> <p>Like Marlene, I never look "polished" even in a white shirt, so I don't even try. In fact the day I discovered my RATEness was after giving a talk wearing a white shirt with a blazer (rare for me), I spilled tea on my shirt cuff and rinsed it and rolled both cuffs above the blazer sleeves and all of a sudden something clicked in place.</p> <p>Re: the ironing: if you shake your shirt out really well as soon as it's done washing, and hang it to dry immediately (ideally, in a bit of wind), you may get away without ironing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-the-ominous-white-shirt#post-1193849 Thu, 13 Mar 2014 20:05:39 +0000 janette 1193849@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I struggle with the white shirt for many of the reasons mentioned by others above (tendency to lose its freshness after a short time wearing, need for ironing, wrong shade of white for my skin etc.). Years ago I paid $200 for what seemed to be the perfect white linen shirt. I may have worn it once. I still want to come up with something I'll feel comfortable wearing. This week I tried on a 100% cotton shirt and though the fit wasn't quite right I loved the fabric. It was kind of a pique and has given me the impetus to keep looking, but only at white cottons that feel 'easier'. I also love silk shirts and will keep any eye out for something in a heavier silk as well. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-the-ominous-white-shirt#post-1193813 Thu, 13 Mar 2014 19:35:46 +0000 Ornella 1193813@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sleeveless shirt is easy for layering, but then in most case that it's the only way to wear it.</p> <p>Just a thought.&nbsp;</p> <p>I second Angie though, I'd love to see you in&nbsp;bright in topper.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-the-ominous-white-shirt#post-1193475 Thu, 13 Mar 2014 15:31:08 +0000 ironkurtin 1193475@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love white for summer. It somehow "feels" cooler. I also like it for dramatic contrast in winter, since I wear a lot of dark colors. The secrets to white are to keep stain remover and a detergent with bleach handy, and to expect it to have a half-life, because at some point the pits will betray you. Unfortunate but true - much like accepting that jeans will at some point go out of style, I never buy white expecting to wear it for more than a few seasons. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-the-ominous-white-shirt#post-1193443 Thu, 13 Mar 2014 15:04:36 +0000 Marlene 1193443@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a bunch of white shirts but none of them are polished or stiff. &nbsp;The only collared button front I have is in casual oxford cloth that I wear purposely rumpled. &nbsp;There is a way to do white shirts that can work with your style. &nbsp;For me, a stiff button front feels very not-me and costume-y. &nbsp;I could never use the word "polished" to describe my style so a crisp white shirt would never work. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-the-ominous-white-shirt#post-1193404 Thu, 13 Mar 2014 14:29:38 +0000 Aziraphale 1193404@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I used to think white shirts were not for me, either, but I've come to use them a lot. Not rely on them, but they have an entrenched place in my wardrobe. The main reason for this is that I love, love, love the look of a white collar. Like Lisa says, it adds crispness to an outfit.&nbsp;I rarely wear a white shirt on its own but I often wear one layered under a waistcoat, shell&nbsp;or sweater vest. If it's really cold, I'll wear one under a fine-gauge merino sweater, even. I like the slightly formal look juxtaposed with jeans (especially old and faded ones).&nbsp;</p> <p>For my purposes, white shirts need to have sleeves, but I don't see why a sleeveless one wouldn't work for you. It would indeed help with layering.&nbsp;One thing to note -- the collar can compete with collar of your topper. Also, I don't wear collared shirts&nbsp;with a blazer <i>ever</i>, because it starts to look too business-y for my lifestyle. No polyester seems like a good idea. My shirts are all cotton. Some of them are non-iron though. That's something to consider, if you hate ironing. (I prefer the feel of a normal white shirt to a non-iron one, though). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-the-ominous-white-shirt#post-1193360 Thu, 13 Mar 2014 14:04:58 +0000 Anonymous 1193360@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm not a fan at all of the idea of crisp cotton fabric, yet I love the idea of a white shirt so I'm actually now equipped to get 'my' perfect white shirt which will be in some fabulous white opaque flowy jersey that I hope to make up soon and my shirt&nbsp;will just have a mandarin type collar and an opening that goes halfway down the front and my sleeves will be plain and cuffless like a layering tee. It'll be a white shirt done my way </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-the-ominous-white-shirt#post-1193339 Thu, 13 Mar 2014 13:53:25 +0000 Lisa 1193339@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am a fan of white shirts as a great layering item.&nbsp; I use mine to add some crispness to an outfit.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-the-ominous-white-shirt#post-1193214 Thu, 13 Mar 2014 11:07:49 +0000 Astrid 1193214@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks everyone for your input! </p> <p>@Angie<br />Thanks! I know that you have said to lighten up for some time, I'm trying to keep it in mind for future purchases. The shirt above is more expensive than I'd like, but I might try it if I don't find one more affordable elsewhere.</p> <p>@DonnaF<br />I don't have a dryer, so I won't be able to skip the ironing.</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-the-ominous-white-shirt#post-1193074 Thu, 13 Mar 2014 04:09:40 +0000 DonnaF 1193074@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For the no-iron shirts that come out wrinkly from the washer (such that you know they will still be wrinkled when they come out of the dryer):&nbsp; Get it very wet by using a mister or any other means that works for you, then pop it in the dryer for a few minutes and pull out after the shirt is warm and wrinkles are out.&nbsp; Hang up on a hanger to finish drying.&nbsp; You may have to stretch out any remaining wrinkles, or wet again for another go in the dryer for a few minutes.&nbsp; I HATE to iron, and this generally works for me.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-the-ominous-white-shirt#post-1192777 Wed, 12 Mar 2014 22:20:38 +0000 retailgirl 1192777@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love white shirts, too. I have several brooks brothers and also some by Farinaz, which are made of beautiful fabric. I wear blazers and suits and even though a white shirt and black suit may be cliche, I like the look better than a colored shirt. I also love a white shirt under a v or crew neck cashmere sweater, with a nice pair of trousers. If the shirt has long sleeves, I unbutton the cuff and turn it back over the sweater cuff. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-the-ominous-white-shirt#post-1192761 Wed, 12 Mar 2014 22:05:30 +0000 carter 1192761@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well, I think I have 6 or 7 white button downs...2 sleeveless, 2 3/4 sleeve, 1 long sleeve, one pleated, one peplum. I love them because they're such a no-brainer whether I want to wear jeans, black slacks or my shocking pink ankle pants. I can layer with the sleeveless ones only, otherwise it's just too darned clautrophobic. Find a white that suits you, and give it a shot. They work with every bottom in my spring/summer closet. Say you have 20 bottoms...you could potentially have at least 20 new outfits by buying a single top. Quite the bargain if you'll wear it! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-the-ominous-white-shirt#post-1192754 Wed, 12 Mar 2014 21:57:37 +0000 Inge 1192754@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Another vote for you to try the white shirt, Astrid :-)<br />(I love mine to bits, but then again, I do love button-downs and crisp shirts in general.) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-the-ominous-white-shirt#post-1192747 Wed, 12 Mar 2014 21:51:13 +0000 rute 1192747@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wear it all the time! I have one on my today's post. I have several, my faves are long sleeves, because i can wear with the sleeves scrunched in the summer. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-the-ominous-white-shirt#post-1192739 Wed, 12 Mar 2014 21:43:52 +0000 Nebraskim 1192739@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I LOVE white shirts. Most of my shirts are white. I love the crispness of a white button down the front shirt (and I like to iron, which I get savaged for on Facebook for saying I enjoy ironing but I like the look). I also wear white t-shirts, white turtlenecks, white this and that. It's almost a signature look for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-the-ominous-white-shirt#post-1192727 Wed, 12 Mar 2014 21:22:16 +0000 Anonymous 1192727@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I own multiple white tops (blouses with all different stylings) and tee shirts. &nbsp;I wear the blouses constantly (a minimum of once a week). &nbsp;I down grade them to casual wear and then wear them even more. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-the-ominous-white-shirt#post-1192605 Wed, 12 Mar 2014 18:48:39 +0000 Angie 1192605@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I would love to see you lighten your outfits, Astrid. Please get the white shirt.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-the-ominous-white-shirt#post-1192602 Wed, 12 Mar 2014 18:45:52 +0000 lyn67 1192602@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hey, Astrid, came back to say, Rute has a gorgeous white shirt look on he wall right now!:-) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-the-ominous-white-shirt#post-1192580 Wed, 12 Mar 2014 18:21:22 +0000 lyn67 1192580@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I can so relate. I&nbsp;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.&nbsp;I tried with sheer lightweight wrinckle&nbsp;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)&nbsp;blouses, too- but haven't much luck either: it's too feminine/delicate for me and lacking any structure. </p> <p>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. </p> <p>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&nbsp;is too&nbsp;conventional and strict&nbsp;to&nbsp;me. I consider it really a great achievement fashion wise if somebody dresses the white shirt so well&nbsp;like Angie, or others on YLF(including Diana seen here:-))</p> <p>The last time I wore a white shirt with confidence was 8(!) yrs.ago&nbsp;at a company function. That shirt was of a very thin white&nbsp;poplin,&nbsp;&nbsp; tailored and &nbsp;of a shorter length-like used to be&nbsp; fashionable then.&nbsp;It&nbsp;&nbsp;had big turned &nbsp;back cuffs and dramatic pointy&nbsp;collar. I wore&nbsp;it tucked in&nbsp; 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&nbsp;boucle and I poped the&nbsp;white collar&nbsp;outf from it under and&nbsp;turned the cuffs over the sleeves.&nbsp;&nbsp;We made a company&nbsp;pictie and was really pleased with how I looked as&nbsp;one of the executives. Polished enough but young and approachable. I think the&nbsp;textures and those great colors helped grounding the popps of&nbsp;impecable whites.</p> <p>As I no longer am confident to tuck in, I wanted to replace that shirt&nbsp;with&nbsp;one of a&nbsp;longer length&nbsp;&nbsp;but never found one good enough, so&nbsp;finally&nbsp; gave up.&nbsp;</p> <p>That said, I&nbsp;recently&nbsp;was really smitten by Mary K's version of croped over long. That solution&nbsp;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.</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-the-ominous-white-shirt#post-1192575 Wed, 12 Mar 2014 18:17:17 +0000 cinnamon fern 1192575@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Before YLF I did not own a single piece of white clothing. &nbsp;I thought I was not a white shirt girl. &nbsp;I am still a little afraid of white, because I'm a messy person, but my white shirts are among the most worn items in my wardrobe now. &nbsp;If you have a lot of mixed, darkish neutrals - like me and I think like you, Astrid - a white shirt looks great with A LOT of stuff.</p> <p>Try it! &nbsp;One step at a time, of course. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/musings-on-the-ominous-white-shirt#post-1192568 Wed, 12 Mar 2014 18:12:43 +0000 Astrid 1192568@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks Rachylou. I can't believe it's all that bad though... ;)</p> <p>Thanks Gracie. Yes, the optic white might be a bit much, one reason why I'm probably not ordering the one above. I'm a soft summer, so no warm white for me. But a softer shade than optic white would be great. </p>