There are certain pieces in my wardrobe that I naturally gravitate to and can’t live without – one of these being a classic white button-down shirt. It’s very chic and you can wear it for any occasion (professional, party, lounging or coffee date, etc.) it all depends on how you style it. I would say I wear it to work quite often and play with different variations of them. I should stop purchasing white button-downs but sometimes I can’t resist! However, the majority of these white button-down shirts, surprisingly, I’m wearing them outside of the office for an elevated, yet comfy and casual look. Since the shirt speaks for itself it’s important to be mindful and strategic of what you accentuate it with. The key is in the details! How do I elevate a look from a simple shirt and leggings to fabulous? 1. Accessorize with unique jewelry or remarkable shoes 2. Make sure the clothing is not wrinkly or looking like 1952 3. The button-down should look baking soda white, not ivory or yellowish (especially for stains deodorants leave over time). There is no excuse for any stains bye bye button-down… NEXT! Regarding styling, if the shirt is very long I’ll definitely wear it with black or gray leggings (make sure these are of higher quality and I would personally stay away from the athletic spandex leggings for this particular outfit) and pair it with statement flats or fashionable tennis shoes that in someway compliment the accessories, like a a long and subtle gold necklace to look dressier. I will most likely travel like this – oh yes! If not I’m wearing a shorter version of the white shirt after work or during the weekend with dark blue skinny or bell-bottom jeans and bright colored belt, nude heels or tan booties. For those that struggle with ripped jeans and styling them, the white button-down is your answer along with a set of pearl earrings. It’s an incredible juxtaposition, merging both distressed and classy- it works! If it gets chilly outside, I’ll either wear a vest, long cardigan or what I call a “rocker jacket” to give the outfit a more edgy vibe. If I’m feeling daring I wear a white button-down as a dress! It needs to be long, soft, of robust high-quality fabrics and not see through. Simply adding a wide belt covering almost my entire waist line and creating a curvy shape; or with a gold/silver chain belt and finishing it off with a pair of elegant embroidered sandals and dark shades for the summer time! The versatility of the classic white shirt is never-ending you can mix and match it with a variety of accessories and complimentary clothing. It’s a look that makes you more polished and goes beyond a regular shirt, while still being comfortable and stylish! I always travel with a white button-down no matter where I’m going because I can wear it for every occasion and l instantly look sophisticated. A crucial rule with wearing this important piece as alluded to precisely is that it needs to be properly groomed. Whatever you need to do to make it look like you just stepped out of the dry cleaners – whether it’s steaming or ironing this a must! If it’s wrinkled you lose the classic tone you were aiming for in the first place and especially if it’s a linen fabric – you’re obliged! Do they get wrinkled eventually? Absolutely – but you want to make sure that you start off with a fresh, clean and slick button-down to last you longer for the rest of the day or evening. Give it a try!
Life Inspiration 