WIW-OBG #4 - a sad goodbye - YouLookFab Forum

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WIW-OBG #4 - a sad goodbye

Irina

Veteran

This is not a post about how to style OBG in new ways. This is an appreciation post. I bought this white linen shirt in 2013 from Gap. I wore it often every summer since, drying it in the sun on a clothesline after washing to keep it bright. It traveled with me to places as well as was worn casually on weekends. But it is time to say goodbye. The fabric is so thin and frail now.
I’m looking for replacement but to no avail. Button downs are not easy for me. Must be in petite size and boxy but not too big on my narrow shoulders.
Here are simple, casual outfits with the shirt.

outfit 1, summer 2020
Gap linen shirt, 2013
Vince cargo pants, 2018
Massimo Dutti light wool scarf, 2020
Tory Burch shopper, 2018

outfit 2, fall 2020
same shirt
COS cotton jacket, 2019
Good American jeans, 2020
Cole Haan sneakers, 2020

outfit 3
me and the shirt on vacation in Spain in 2016

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31 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

slim cat

Veteran

Wonderful longevity of the linen shirt and great outfits! Love the pairing with cargo pants in #1.
Button downs are difficult for me too - I try to duplicate in different colors when available but white shirts are the most illusive to find.

Fab picture in Spain - perfect travel outfit!

SarahD8

Veteran

Super looks, all three! The shirt looks smashing on you. I know what you mean about that sweet spot of gently fluid fit — tough to find but so, so right when you do. Hope you find a worthy replacement soon

Roberta

Veteran

Bittersweet! The white shirt peeking out of the dark unstructured top is particularly good.

I am always looking for the right white linen shirt. Talbots had a good one, but it was really too short, and when it creased it rode up even higher. It was very good quality, though, so I watch their catalog every year for a longer version.

Last year I embraced cotton gauze as a substitute and bought several different tops in a not-quite-tunic length. Oh My Gauze was one source, and I bought two other tops while traveling in 2020. They wash well, are very comfortable in the heat, and don't need ironing.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh, to see that shirt "in the wild" in Spain in 2016...those were the days, right? And you know you have a winner when it's a "must go" travel item as well as one you style so many ways at home.

I really like both of your more current outfits, too. Linen shirts truly are tricky. Sometimes they are scratchy and/or not well woven, but when they work, they work so well. I hope you find your next version of this shirt. It looks like a true wardrobe essential for you.

kellygirl

Veteran

Just gorgeous. Simple and modern. Your style has a sense of ease about it--I know it's anything but to get the details just right as you do. Enviable style, I tell you! You look amazing and I'm sorry your linen shirt has reached the end of the line. I hope you find another one that serves you just as well!!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Bittersweet is right. It's fab when workhorses are spectacular, which makes us miss them even more.

Super cute outfits! I hope you find a great linen white shirt replacement.

Talk to me about those GA jeans....

Irina

Veteran

Thank you all for your support. As Marie Kondo suggested, I say to my beloved white shirt “goodbye and thank you for your service”
Interesting thing about longevity and brands. I bought a white cotton shirt from COS in 2016 for almost 4 time more than this Gap shirt. Paid a full price, rare occasion for me. It got a yellowish in 2 years. All my attempts to whiten it failed. The fabric was 92% cotton and 8% elastane.
Lesson learned - to last a white shirt must be 100% cotton or linen.

kellygirl, I’m so touched by your comments. Thank you!

Irina

Veteran

Angie, GA jeans are in my regular 26 size, so fits true to size. Bothered me a bit that the twisted seams were not exactly symmetrical but I got over it
Fabric is on a thicker side, feels substantial, definitely not a hot summer jeans. Would buy another pair in a different color if I can find.

Star (Lise)

Veteran

Love outfit # 1. So stylish. I have only ever had one white button down that worked in all aspects. I remember it fondly. It also wore thin from years of wear.

kkards

Veteran

Oh i hate it when a much loved item has to go
And i can see why you loved it. It looks fab layered and on its own.
Hope you can find a suitable replacement

Kate

Veteran

Button-downs are very hard for me to fit too. I understand the pain at parting with a great wardrobe item that you end up reaching for all the time that always just works. I never found a replacement for my much loved oversized white button-down that I bought at Bloomingdales in NYC in 1982 and wore for 10 years!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Oh, a good button-front is hard to find. There are so many, but always some detail that’s not right.

Great outfits. I love the twist seam jeans on you, a style I can never get to work for me because the curve of the seam puts too much emphasis on how wide my thighs and hips are. God, my jeans are so boring, all for flattery’s sake! LOL

nemosmom

Veteran

Aw, saying farewell to a much-loved piece is always so difficult! What a great shirt that served you quite well.

Anonymous

Wow- you have such great , inherent style. It's hard to make a plain white shirt look good, but you have the knack. Hope you find something equally fantastic!

Carla

Veteran

*cry*. I know the feeling. It’s been kind of a bittersweet week, trotting out the OBGs. I realize how much I have to baby these favourite garments in order to keep them around for a little longer.

Your different outfits demonstrate the versatility of a well made classic item.

Laurie

Veteran

I'm just really loving your style over the last few posts. You layer the white button down shirt like nobody's business.
Awesome jeans!!

Irina

Veteran

Oh, thank you, Lisa p, white shirts are my weakness, I have plenty and they are on my “no buy” list, well they’ve been there forever. I still manage to get them I guess it’s magic...

Anonymous

That is sad. You might try smalls in men’s shirts or boys. I wear a white linen shirt that my oldest son left behind. He is slim and even then has a tailor take in shirts and tee shirts. I love your style and those outfits.

Anonymous

So pretty! For a linen shirt replacement maybe Eileen Fisher in a XXS petite?

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Love all your outfits. The cargo pants are fantastic and the shoes are perfect there. I like how you do boxy!

Bijou

Veteran

A great tribute to a fabulous shirt - that was the holy grail of white shirts. When you find the replacement you MUST let us know because I have yet to find anything that compares to this. Irina, you look amazing in your gorgeous shirt and all other items as well.... I suspect it was not really the shirt that was so fab but you after all!

Minaminu

Veteran

Bittersweet indeed! Lovely outfit and fab shirt, I hope you will find a suitable replacement!

It's intersting that you let it air dry on the sun, I was talk that eashing whites in high temperatures and letting them dry with direct sun would have made them yellow.

RobinF

Veteran

Great outfits - I especially love the dark blue jacket outfit. Such a bummer when a favorite item has to go. It's really hard to find something that measures up. I struggle with button down shirts and rarely find one that I like.

delurked

Veteran

Very nice style on you. Glad it served you so well, and hope you eventually end up with something else that fills its place.

Irina

Veteran

Thank you all. I didn’t expect my simple outfits would be so warmly received
Minaminu, re: washing. Sunlight is a natural bleaching agent. I soak my white cotton or linen tops in non chlorine bleach for a couple of hours, wash and put on a clothes line in full sun. I would never put silk items in direct sunlight, it damaged the fibers. So, know your fibers

Minaminu

Veteran

Irina, thanks for the tip, very helpful! Will try to do so with my whites!

JAileen

Veteran

I hate when a favorite gives up the ghost. As my mother would say, “You got your money’s worth!”

LL Bean has classic linen tops. I don’t know if they have petite, but it might be worth a look next spring.

Sal

Veteran

You are a stylish woman! Definitely the shirt was a great piece. It suits you so well. I agree with Joy re maybe a men’s one as an option.

Bonnie

Veteran

It is sad when a beloved item becomes faded and worn. Three of my favorite shirts are five years old and have reached the point where they are too worn to wear anywhere except maybe gardening or camping. Your Vince crops are really nice looking and a great color.

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