Kita Moe!

White shirt.

Like trench coats, white shirts have always been a timeless symbol of classic fashion .

Image source: Left: Elle; Middle: VganChou;

右 Pulp Fiction (1994)

Classic item.

It gets dirty and see-through easily. Secondly, people with large chests and thick necks look like bears from the side when wearing white shirts. (Bear: Hey, what does this have to do with me...)

• How to choose the style ?

• How to dress for different body types

• Fashion tips?

• White shirt care

How to choose the style?

We'll discuss some newer styles of shirts, such as bell sleeves, in a separate discussion, focusing on the traditional shirt styles.

A plain white shirt.

▍Fabric​

The fabric of a shirt largely determines its cut. Common shirt fabrics include cotton, linen, chiffon, silk, and oxford cloth . These five fabrics, from stiffest to softest, are oxford cloth, cotton, linen, chiffon, and silk.

Of course, there are many fabrics that fall between the two types of fabrics, such as cotton linen, which has characteristics that are between pure cotton and pure linen .

White shirts with different textures and levels of transparency are suitable for different occasions and require different pairings.

1. Silk

Silk has a wonderful drape, and the sheen on the fabric's surface brings a sense of luxury and sophistication to the entire look.

Image source: Left: ginnysclosetblog.com; Middle: Pinterest;

Right www.dailymail.co.uk

2. Chiffon

Chiffon has a good drape, but the surface texture of chiffon is not as good as silk; it is slightly rougher.

Image source: Glam Radar (first from left);

Left: Our Shoreline Community Association;

Right 1: Modern Legacy; Right 2: PrettyDesigns.com

Furthermore, chiffon is quite transparent, so if you wear white on its own, it won't appear as a pure white, but rather a grayish or flesh-colored white. You'll also need to wear an inner layer underneath, otherwise it will show through.

If you mind, I still recommend wearing dark colors with chiffon.

Image source: Glam Radar

However, silk and chiffon are both , but silk clothes need to be cared for, as they are easily yellowed and moldy when exposed to sweat.

Compared to silk, chiffon is not only cooler and less hot to wear as an inner layer , but it is also cheaper, making it a great choice.

3. Linen

Linen is a great natural fabric that absorbs and wicks away sweat in the summer , making it very comfortable to wear when it's hot .

Image source: Left: trnycstyle.com; Middle: Natalie Tueller;

Right death-by-elocution.tumblr.com

Because it is made of all-natural materials, it is especially sought after by people who appreciate natural fabrics , particularly those who prefer the Mori Girl style.

The biggest drawback of linen fabric is that it wrinkles easily, but that's actually its characteristic; some people like the wrinkled look. It feels so peaceful and carefree, haha.

However, the linen fabric produced by each manufacturer is different; ZARA has a linen shirt that almost never wrinkles.

4. Cotton (linen)

Cotton is the most commonly used fabric for shirts , but cotton shirts are usually made of around 60% cotton to provide a certain degree of stiffness.

5. Oxford cloth

There are many fabrics that are a bit stiffer than cotton. One common one is called Oxford cloth. Oxford cloth is a twill fabric that is pressed together. It is very stiff and is very suitable for formal occasions.

Image source: ChicTrends

Because the fabric is very stiff, Oxford cloth shirts are often chosen when a stand-up collar is needed for styling.

Many men's shirts are made of Oxford cloth. Uniqlo has a series of very classic solid-color shirts made of Oxford cloth; you can check them out if you're interested. (When will Uniqlo finally ask us to advertise for them?)

Image source: www.uniqlo.cn

Many girls like to wear men's shirts because they lack a defined waistline, giving them a unique and stylish look. Plus-size men's shirts can also be worn as boyfriend-style shirts.

▍Transparency​

Next, let's compare the transparency of the above fabrics.

From the image, we can see that chiffon and linen fabrics have relatively high transparency.

Image source: Pinterest & Glam Radar

However, this is not absolute; it depends on the type of fabric each company uses.

However, theoretically speaking, Oxford cloth, cotton, and silk are generally not very transparent.

However, there is another kind of "see-through" that is not quite see-through, which is when the shirt shows the outline of the bra, especially when wearing a bra with a lot of gaps in the cups, two bra outlines will appear on the chest.

This mainly depends on the softness and size of the clothing . The softer the fabric and the tighter the size, the more likely it is to leave bra marks.

Fabrics that are not easily see-through tend to have poorer breathability, which can make them hotter to wear in the summer . So, you can weigh the pros and cons.

▍Shoulder line is key to the fit

I divide the common shirt styles on the market into two types: one is a fitted cut with the shoulder line in the normal position, some of which have a waistline and some do not; the other is an oversized, boyfriend style.

Each fabric comes in both fitted and boyfriend styles.

A fitted silk shirt exudes feminine elegance, while a boyfriend-style shirt, due to the excellent drape of silk, cannot be properly styled and looks like high-end pajamas .

Image source: Left: www.dailymail.co.uk; Right: Modern Legacy

The fitted and boyfriend styles of linen shirts look almost identical, probably because of the wrinkles .

Image source: Left: Little Miss Momma; Right: Visit

There's a significant difference between fitted and boyfriend-style cotton shirts. Fitted shirts give off a sharp, professional look, while boyfriend-style shirts have a more casual vibe.

Image source: Left: Pinterest; Right: www.tumblr.com

There is another type of shirt that is different from the boyfriend style. It has a normal shoulder line, but its length and waist design are similar to men's shirts.

It's basically like an elongated version of a women's shirt .

This boyfriend-style shirt, although also an extended version, has a shoulder design that makes the whole look more dashing.

Comparing the three types of boyfriend shirts, the linen and cotton versions actually feel quite similar.

However, linen shirts wrinkle easily and don't look as clean and tidy as cotton shirts.

▍Big Comparison

The fabrics mentioned above can be roughly divided into three categories: silk chiffon, linen, cotton, and oxford cloth.

Next, let's compare these fabrics and see how they feel.

Image source: left samrilesphotography.com;

The middle link is lulusdotcom.tumblr.com; the right link is summervacationsin.com.

Looking at skirts, the one that best accentuates a woman's figure is silk chiffon, because it is the softest.

Cotton fabric is relatively stiff, so it doesn't accentuate the lines of a woman's bust and waist, but it can highlight the straightness of the shoulders, making the person look more dashing and handsome.

Linen, with its softness and firmness falling between the two, possesses both a touch of feminine softness and the crispness of a shirt . Furthermore, as a natural material, linen evokes a sense of nature and warmth, making it suitable for everyday wear or travel .

Let's compare different combinations of shirts and denim skirts.

Image source: Left: Harper's Bazaar; Middle: Camixa;

右 Poor Little It Girl | Petite Fashion and Affordable Style Blog

Silk shirts, because they are so soft, too loose a silk shirt can look a bit like pajamas.

Of course, a well-fitting silk shirt can also be worn to formal occasions.

Linen shirts are not suitable for formal occasions because they wrinkle a lot, and even if you iron them, they will wrinkle again after a while. In addition, they are not stiff enough .

Cotton shirts are stiffer and can hold their shape better, giving them a more streamlined and lifted look, unlike silk and linen shirts which tend to sag.

The occasion for wearing a shirt varies from person to person. If it's just for everyday wear, any kind of shirt will do.

The above examples show styles with the neckline slightly open; here we'll compare the effect of buttoning all the buttons up .

Image source: Daily Mail

A shirt made of stiff fabric like Oxford cloth, when fully buttoned up, looks like a formal white shirt, with a school- like feel and a proper, neat appearance.

Some people might look a bit silly or goofy even if they deduct all their points, like me.

Silk and linen shirts, when fully buttoned up , also convey a sense of order and restraint .

Wearing the shirt fully buttoned up can accentuate the fullness of your upper body, so it's not recommended if you have a fuller upper body.

Why do I look so unfashionable in a white shirt?

The white shirt exudes a "professional" feel.

The so-called "business sense" refers to dressing in a slightly unfashionable way, like this:

I don't mean anything bad here. Different workplaces have different dress requirements, and the above-mentioned outfits are all appropriate for the workplace.

However, many people also feel stiff when wearing white shirts in daily life , which means they are not wearing white shirts correctly.

Let's first analyze which white shirts give off a "business-like" feel.

Most shirts that give off a professional vibe have these three characteristics: one is that they have princess seams.

Princess seams refer to a design that tapers from the bust to the waist , accentuating a woman's curves.

Secondly, the large pointed collar and thirdly, the lack of texture in the fabric, both of these factors contribute to a more "professional" overall feel.

It's not just about the shirt, but also about the styling. The easiest way to create a professional look is with a white shirt and a black fitted midi skirt .

Image source: Left: www.keoneulaes.org; Middle & Right: Pinterest

One is that they didn't choose the right shirt, and the other is that they didn't wear the right shirt.

1. The shirt is wrong.

How can you tell if you've chosen the right shirt? Let's make a comparison; here are two shirts, one good and one bad.

The shirt below is YSL's most classic poplin white shirt, a stiffer fabric similar to Oxford cloth .

In comparison, there's a picture of a white shirt that Duomeng randomly found on Taobao (left).

A careful comparison will reveal obvious differences .

• Cheap shirts usually have large, stiff collars; just right.

• Looking at the waistline, cheaper shirts tend to have a more natural, unforced waistline achieved through princess seams in the tailoring.

• The shoulder line on cheap shirts is rather awkward, with rough stitching and a very natural transition.

• Buttons: Inexpensive shirts often have buttons that are more noticeable and better concealed.

• Finally, there's the fabric. Cheap shirts often have fabrics that look quite thick, stiff, and somewhat grayish.

  
  

• A good shirt, although its fabric may not look stiff, actually achieves a crisp and structured look.

You also need to pay attention to a few shirt styles that can easily look outdated .

Ruffles or any patterns with wavy or frilled edges on the chest and shoulders are not very simple and elegant.

Collars with rivets don't look very good either, and exaggerated buttons can also ruin the style of the whole garment.

And the shoulders too. If you're going to wear a jacket over it , don't wear a shirt with such high shoulder lines.

These are just some suggestions. If you really like it, then go ahead and buy it, because as long as you're happy!

Here are some good shirt brands I'd like to recommend for your reference:

The color of a white shirt is also important.

Most people probably have the experience that white shirts don't really flatter one's complexion and often make the face look more sallow.

This involves a theory of color contrast.

Against the backdrop of white, which has a high degree of brightness and purity, human skin, which has a lower degree of purity and brightness, will appear dirtier when placed next to a white shirt.

It's similar to choosing a lipstick color. (If you're interested, you can check out " What Lipstick Color Suits Me? ")

What is high brightness and purity white? In a color chart, pure white is #ffffff, which is a bright white that is dazzling at first glance. For example, the shirt in the negative example above is this kind of white.

A white shirt that complements your skin tone isn't a pure white; you can also choose one with a slightly sheer fabric to balance the whiteness of your skin tone.

If any white shirt makes your complexion look bad, then you might as well go for another color .

2. Incorrect way of wearing it

If you buy a good quality shirt, you might still look unfashionable. Why? Because you didn't wear it correctly.

If it's not for work, we don't need to button up all the buttons properly .

Unbuttoning a few buttons to create a deep V-neck will make your face look slimmer and your neck look longer.

A more slouchy way of dressing is the kind of "if you don't dress properly, your mom will scold you" style, which actually makes your neck look longer and thinner.

Wearing a shirt inside out is not recommended for those with short necks .

Image source: www.cosmopolitan.in

Not dressed correctly.

Wearing clothes that are too tight feels like having your neck strangled. You should wear something looser, button up a few more buttons at the back , and pull the clothes forward a bit.

Wearing a shirt as a bathrobe breaks away from the traditional, rigid way of wearing a white shirt and adds fun to dressing.

Image source: StyleLovely

(By the way, how was Hepburn's outfit secured?)

They look more energetic .

Raising the waistline can be achieved by tucking the shirt into pants or a skirt, or by tying a knot, which will give a more lively feel.

You can also tie a knot at the bottom of your shirt like the little nun, with two little pigtails hanging down on your pants. Isn't that adorable? This way of tying the shirt won't make the front of the shirt bulge outwards.

Besides the way you wear a shirt as is, you can also add accessories to reduce the business-like feel.

The most common accessories are small ornaments such as necklaces, scarves, and chokers. Appropriate use of watches, bracelets, and rings can also reduce the sense of professionalism.

Image source: SheerLuxe

Outfit tips

It's not very complicated; as a versatile item, it goes well with almost any outfit.

Wearing alone

The most common way to style a white T-shirt is to wear a white shirt on top and pair it with pants or a skirt on the bottom.

Common pants are usually black pants, or jeans, skirts, midi skirts, A-line skirts, long skirts, and short skirts, which are all very common choices.

Image source: Pink Peonies

A white shirt is still a classic innerwear item. It goes well with suits, trench coats, and various outerwear, and it's also very suitable when paired with a vest .

▍Innerwear​

If you really don't know what to wear under your coat, a white shirt is generally a safe bet (it also goes well with a black turtleneck).

A white shirt is also a great inner layer for many sleeveless items, such as overalls and suspender pants.

Image source: From left to right: Melodie Jeng (first from left); view style wear (second from left);

Right 1: Lookbook; Right 2: Wheretoget

The tank top, which became popular a while ago , is now being paired with a white shirt to create a new trend.

However, what Duomeng doesn't quite understand is why the white shirt they wore underneath was so loose, while the tank top they wore on the outside was so tight; it looks a bit mismatched .

(Perhaps this is the fashion of icons, something normal people can't understand.)

Image source: Left: Team Peter Stigter; Center: www.notey.com;

Right: Team Peter Stigter

▍ Layering

There are many more ways to wear a white shirt, and some very special ones. The first one is to wear a white shirt over a black turtleneck. This way of wearing it looks particularly unique and has a lot of layers.

When the inner and outer layers are the same color, adding a white shirt in the middle can make the whole look more layered.

If you find your inner and outer layers boring when it's cold, try adding a white shirt underneath.

Image source: Left: Man Repeller; Right: Estilo Tendances

Of course, there are also many white shirts with special designs that are worth recommending, such as white shirts with butterfly sleeves , which look great on their own.

Image source: Left: Pinterest; Middle: Harper and Harley;

Right Fashion Squad

Another question that everyone wants to know is, what kind of underwear should you wear under a white shirt?

There are generally three types: black underwear, nude underwear, and bra T-shirts with nipple covers.

Image source: Brassy Apple

Some people might say that wearing a bra T-shirt is too hot, but think about it: if you wear a bra T-shirt, you don't have to button up your shirt completely.

How should someone with a large bust wear a white shirt?

The relationship between white shirts and people, that is, how should different body types wear them?

Large breasts and a short, thick neck.

They look particularly stylish, especially those who are thin and have broad shoulders.

Beautiful folds, this is what it looks like when it's stretched out.

Image source: Good Look Blog

What about people who are overweight in the upper body ?

Yes, if you wear a stiff cotton shirt, it might look okay from the front, but from the side it makes you look particularly bulky .

Because the entire garment is stretched open starting from the chest.

Image source: www.ireneccloset.com

▍What to do about large breasts?

To reduce the stretching of the shirt, we can tuck it into the clothes underneath.

Raising the waistline can also create a height difference between the waist and the bust , making the waist appear slimmer.

Don't button it all the way up ! Unbutton a few buttons to draw attention away from making you look heavier and instead make you look sexier.

The buttons on the chest will split open.

The shirt I'm wearing is too small.

Buying a shirt one or two sizes larger will generally solve the problem. However, a shirt that is one or two sizes larger may not be suitable for formal occasions (an oversized white shirt can be worn as a boyfriend shirt for everyday wear ).

But not in the chest area. That's when you can modify your shirt yourself !

Install a hidden snap.

The area with the most severe cracking .

You can also add a snap closure on the inside.

Image source: buzzfeed

Image source: buzzfeed

There's always a way to solve it!

Many people are also very concerned about the care of white shirts. In fact, white shirts are a kind of consumable item.

This problem is almost insurmountable; white things get dirty easily, let alone the neck, which is prone to sweating and oiliness.

If you're wearing makeup, it's common for foundation to get smudged on your collar . And white shirts will inevitably turn yellow after being worn for a while.

Use baking soda or vitamin C to wash it , etc.