10 Ways To Wear A White Button Down Shirt
A white shirt is included in most wardrobe essentials lists, but the truth is, it’s not every woman’s cup of tea. If they’re not your style, you could substitute a blouse or shirt of any color for these 10 ways to wear a white shirt. A classic white shirt or blouse can act as a great chameleon in your wardrobe. Whether fitted, loose, soft and flowy, crisp cotton or silk…a white shirt is a tried and true way to create a casually chic outfit.
10 Ways To Wear A White Shirt
#1 Tied at the Waist
I often tie the bottom of my white button-down. It adds waist definition, creating a flattering silhouette without the formality of tucking in your shirt. It works over a dress, pants, shorts, you name it. This is perfect for creating a relaxed yet polished look. Tuck the button side over the one with the buttonholes to cinch the bottom closed and prevent gaps. Here, I’ve tied my Athleta white shirt over a lantern-shaped Eileen Fisher skirt with EF sandals that I’ve had for many years. The skirt has an elastic waistband, which I prefer to cover, so tying my shirt works perfectly.
#2 With White Pants
Pairing a white shirt with white pants creates a column of color that’s not only slimming but helps elongate your look. Here, I’m pairing my Quince ivory silk blouse with Madewell off-white jeans and Ecco sandals. I topped it with a soft pop of color with this Eileen Fisher knee -length linen cardigan. Skipping a belt allows the eye to travel up and down, which helps me look taller.
Style Tip– wearing an outer third layer open over a column of color conceals the sides of your body outline so the focus is in the center which helps you look slimmer.
#3 As an Outer Layer
I often wear a white shirt, open as an outer layer. This look is perfect for transitioning between seasons or in the middle of summer when it’s too warm for a jacket or cardigan, but you still want to cover your arms. Here, I’m wearing an organic linen white top and pants with a black cotton tank and comfy Munro sandals.
This is the same Athleta white shirt I styled above, tied over the black skirt. It’s selling out fast, so I hope they will bring this style back because it’s my favorite travel shirt.
#4 Oversized
Wear an oversized, long, and loose white tunic shirt over your favorite slim jeans or narrow pants. I know many women like to wear leggings, and this is one way to do so. The tunic’s larger silhouette contrasts the bottom half of the outfit to look proportional.
Here, I’m pairing an oversized white shirt over my slim Eileen Fisher stretch crepe pants. These are slim enough that I prefer to cover my crotch and backside, and an oversized white shirt works perfectly. I added Leopard flats for some interest and a chunky statement necklace.
#5 Tucked In
While it may seem simple, wearing your white shirt tucked into jeans, pants, or skirts can make a world of difference in how your outfit looks. Go for a full or half-tuck, depending on how full the shirt is and the amount of fabric you’re dealing with. Tucking your shirt does not make your waist look larger; it shows definition and is slimming.
#6 Under a Sweater
White shirts look great worn under a pullover sweater, either tucked or untucked, for a classic preppy look. Leaving it untucked offers a more relaxed and casual vibe, with the shirt’s hem peeking out beneath the sweater.
More Ways to Style a White Shirt:
#7 Bathing Suit Cover-Up
A long or oversized white shirt works beautifully as a bathing suit cover-up for the beach or pool. The longer the shirt, the better this looks. Look for sheer or opaque white shirst are a great option for this.
#8 Belted over slim pants
Soft or crisp white shirts can be belted over narrow pants, skirts, or leggings to slim your silhouette and give it some shape.
#9. Under a long or short vest or a sleeveless dress
#10 With a Ballgown skirt à la Sharon Stone or Carolina Herrera
Tuck a tailored, high-quality white button-down shirt into a voluminous ball gown skirt for a striking contrast between the structured, casual top and a flowing, dressy bottom. It’s a look made famous by both Carolina Herrera and Sharon Stone.
How to Remove Stains from Your White Shirts
No-stain technology is terrific these days, but invariably, they’ll get stains. The Spruce recommends a vinegar and baking soda paste. Cleanipedia suggests a vinegar and salt combo. I swear by my trusty Tide Pen and never travel without one.
How To Prevent Gaping in White Shirts
Gaping between buttons is a common problem with even the finest white shirts. First, look for shirts with a button that is directly level with the broadest part of your bustline. If that isn’t enough, gaping is easily prevented with this fashion tape. I love this stuff. Every woman should have this in her arsenal. Carry one in your bag, keep one in your glove box, and give one to your best friend. It solves a multitude of problems invisibly.
Best White Shirts For Travel
Knits are the best way to go for wrinkle-free travel, but I’ve also discovered some no-iron crisp white shirts travel beautifully. This crisp white shirt comes out of the commercial dryer, looking as fresh as it did going in. This one is by Talbots, and I also have two no-iron white shirts from Chico’s. They come out of your bag, looking almost as smooth as they went in. It’s easy to steam out any residual wrinkles with a quick steam in the bathroom. I’ve also given mine a little swish with hand soap in the hotel sink and hung it to dry.
MORE WHITE SHIRTS
What’s your favorite way to wear a white shirt?
Thanks for reading, and be sure to wear what makes you feel confident.
It is too hot here now for shirts other than as a restaurant coverup in freezing ac. I wear over tees in winter and before the temperature gets too hot. I love a chambray blue shirt that I grab in the evening if it chills down and a natural linen shirt. I use both as cover ups over everything including my pajamas! I rarely wear my white shirt as it feels too dressy. I have a thin blue striped shirt that works well as a cover up with tee and jeans. A tucked shirt or tied shirt looks bad on my ever spreading waist and tummy. Sad. You look great still but I am a lot older at 79.
I love a great chambray shirt too!!
I really enjoy your posts, and this one was especially helpful. Even though I’m in my 80’s, I still have a lot to learn. I have the Eileen Fisher stretch crepe pants in several colors. I wear them year round and find them versatile, comfortable, and great for travel.
Ditto on those crepe pants. I love all the colors they come in now too.
Do own a few shirts in different styles, fabrics and whites which I wear more so in Spring and Summer with the latest addition being a long sleeved cotton eyelet one with a scalloped hemline that is best described as boxy ‘n semi-cropped (no need to tuck in being about the length of the striped t-shirt under title #3). Actually I purchased it to wear as a lightweight overlay in lieu of a sweater or blazer over my sleeveless denim or plain knit ankle length slim cut dresses; however it also works well alone with high waisted, structured bottoms and adds a touch of femininity to the equation. All said; terrific tips as usual Jennifer and with appreciation.
-Brenda-
Your eyelet shirt sounds so pretty and useful. I don’t own any eyelet but it is beginning to appeal to me the more I see it.
Jennifer…. As an immunocompromised individual (recently diagnosed with adult onset asthma), I deeply appreciate that you were careful about staying home during your recent bout with COVID. It has the potential of morphing into pneumonia, and those of us with breathing problems are at risk. I’m so glad you and your husband had relatively mild cases, and that you are recovering now! 💖
I’m so sorry to hear about your asthma. We are the slow road to recovery.
I’m glad you are feeling better, Jennifer. I love buttoned shirts. You’ve shown some great ideas on how to wear them. I’m heading to Europe soon and will be practicing some of these tips before I go. Thank you!
Have a great trip!
I had covid in January, and felt bad with sinus, etc. for weeks, and very tired. I stay in till I test negative as well. I have gotten it twice, and husband nada. I sleep in the guest room from very early on, and he does the cooking and clean up. I never get the flu or sick, but covid seems to be easy for me to catch. It messes up plans, and my life. I appreciate people who try not spread their germs.
I love white button up shirts. I don’t wear them in summer here, too hot. Although they come in handy in cold restaurants here in Tx. I agree , nice to have different styles of white shirts.
My husband always gets a lighter case than I do too.
Really, my favorite white shirt is a mid waist Cotton one, with big wooden buttons, that I bought years ago. I need the collar starched & popped, thank you for your ironing technique. Think Coastal Grandma look.
I love the coastal look!!
Who doesn’t love a crisp white shirt! Love your style tips.
I love my white shirt as it is a workhorse in my wardrobe!
You illustrate just how versatile this simple shirt can be :-))
My pearls elevate the look too!
Good to hear that you are on the mend.
Leslie
Hostess of the Humble Bungalow.
I agree, pearls are the perfect addition. Thanks Leslie ♥️
When traveling during warmer months, or to a warmer climate, I’ll sometimes make a long white shirt do double duty as a makeshift bathrobe over my nightshirt.
Yes!!
I love white shirts! Sometimes the right one is really hard to find. You need different lengths for different outfits. I’m currently looking for a shorter more fitted shirt but so far no luck! You look beautiful in all your outfits 🌼
Try Qunice or Ann Taylor. They have lots of different proportions.
I have to get into wearing a white shirt for casual wear, it always looks so nice and dresses up a pair of jeans nicely.
I am a bit surprised that you were staying in with COVID, a friend of mine in Victoria just had it and their doctor told them its now like a flu and you dont have to isolate until you are negative but to be careful around others like if you were sick with a cold or flu.
I’ve heard that too but to be honest, I’m a bit old school and didn’t want to spread it. You never know who has a compromised immune system. It’s nastier for some people than others and it hit me pretty badly.so was feeling very, very fatigued.
Jennifer, thank you!!! I hate that doctors say it’s just like the flu. What does that even mean? Every business I’ve ever worked for said to stay home if you’re sick. Acc CDC data, flu led to 15 million medical visits, over 360,000 hospitalizations, and 21,410 deaths during the 2022–23 season. Covid stats are far worse, and deaths far higher for those over 70.
I got Covid after my last cruise, too. I stayed inside and away from family until I tested negative. Makes sense to not pass it on to others.
I love a white shirt. Recently bought a Lily Pulitzer linen white shirt that I love. So cool and breezy for summer. What size EF slim crepe pants did you get? How slim are they, because you said you wore a tunic over them. I’m seriously thinking about trying a pair but wary of the slimness. Love all the ways you show how to wear a white shirt! And so glad you are on the mend. It sure is a nasty virus. Had it twice in a month.
I used to wear the PS but have “graduated” to the small. They appear slimmer in pale colors of course. They’re not a legging or anything like it because the leg isn’t skin tight. I adore mine
Hi Jennifer, love your blog very much. Im petite at 5’2, I always feel that a button up shirt is too long for my body proportions. What is the ideal length for my petite short waist body? Thank you so much for your wonderful advice and wonderful blog. Debbie
White shirts are available in cropped and full length. It’s a matter of what you’ll wear it with. If wearing untucked with pants or jeans, I’d look for one that is high hip length. Quince makes linen one. For petite gals, it’s important to not look swamped. A softer fabric helps with that too.