The white button-down shirt, often referred to as a man’s shirt, has been a genderless garment in the fashion world for centuries. In this article, first you will read a short history of the white shirt and then you will get to know how to match the white shirt with all kinds of clothes.
A brief history of the white button-down shirt
The white button down shirt as we know it today was originally a men’s dress. However, the first time the white shirt entered women’s fashion dates back to the 18th century. In 1783, Marie Antoinette, wife of Louis XVI, wore a ruffled white cotton shirt and stood before Madame Lebron, the royal painter, to paint her portrait. Until then, no woman had worn such a shirt; Because of this, this portrait caused a great scandal. A white shirt was considered underwear at the time, and to make matters worse, no one could accept the Queen wearing a cheap cotton shirt that was so different from her luxurious silks.
Many historians believe that Marie Antoinette’s portrait had a huge impact on the textile industry and the cotton trade, which eventually led to the spread of slavery and the exploitation of slaves in cotton fields. The young queen of France never anticipated such heavy consequences.
White button-up shirt in Coco Chanel revolution
The white shirt that entered women’s fashion from the time of Marie Antoinette onwards is completely different from the white shirt we are talking about. As we said, this shirt was for men and until the 20th century, only rich men wore it. In fact, this dress was a symbol of aristocratic nobles; Because its whiteness and cleanliness showed that the person who wears it does not do anything with his hands to make his clothes dirty. However, it was Coco Chanel who introduced men’s shirts into women’s wardrobes.
In the 1920s, the famous fashion designer Coco Chanel broke the gender and class boundaries and instead of heavy and tight corset dresses, the comfortable men’s shirt became fashionable for women. From then on, this shirt was for both women and men and was considered genderless.
The arrival of the white shirt in the cinema
In the 1940s, influential women such as Katharine Hepburn, Ava Gardner, Marlene Dietrich and Lauren Bacall put the white shirt in the spotlight. During the next two decades, this dress was seen in the cinema a lot. One of the most memorable white shirts was worn by Audrey Hepburn with sleeves rolled up to the arm in the movie Roman Holiday. Audrey co-starred with Gregory Peck in this movie.
Unlike men, women wore this shirt with certain rules. For example, they put its end inside the skirt, never buttoned it all the way up, and sometimes they fastened it with a belt. They often tie a silk scarf around their neck to complete their look with a white shirt. The combination of a white shirt with a black skirt is one of the most iconic classic fashion combinations that still has many fans and is very flattering for women:
Some time later, movie stars turned the white shirt into a genderless style. Patti Smith paired it with a skinny tie, Diane Keaton wore it with a vest, Kim Basinger wore it in an oversized version that looked masculine, and Uma Thurman in Pulp Fiction paired it with men’s black fabric pants. In the movies Pretty Woman, Dirty Dancing and Mrs. and Mr. Smith, the actors wore this shirt in different ways.
White shirt in fashion shows and red carpet
In fashion shows, especially in the 90s, the white shirt was a staple of Calvin Klein and DKNY collections, and Jil Sander and Phoebe Philo, the great fashion designers of the era, increased its popularity. This shirt continued to dominate fashion in the following decades. At this time, the white shirt had moved away from the movies and we saw it mostly in fashion shows.
At the 1998 Oscars, Sharon Stone wore a white dress for the first time on the red carpet. She wore the dress with a skirt designed for her by celebrity designer Vera Wong, which matched her husband’s outfit. After him, Julia Roberts and Emma Watson also wore white shirts in many formal events. From Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell to Marilyn Monroe, Princess Diana, Victoria Beckham, Rihanna, Zendaya and Amal Clooney, it’s hard to name a stylish lady who hasn’t tried the white shirt. Meghan Markle; The Duchess of Sussex also often wore white shirts while she was a member of the British royal family.
The secret of the longevity of the white button-down shirt
Now the question is why the white shirt never goes out of fashion? Many clothes come into fashion in different decades and after they go out of fashion for a while, they are repeated again years later. But an outfit like the white button-down shirt has grown in popularity decade after decade. What is really the secret in the design of this dress that makes it so special and lasting in the world of fashion?
Great versatility with all kinds of clothes
Heather Gramston, head of womenswear sales at Browns, says one of the most important reasons for the shirt’s popularity can be attributed to its versatility. We never get tired of the classic white shirt because we can style it with anything. We can wear a button down shirt with a tuxedo, casual jacket, jeans, skirt, shorts, dress pants, vest, and anything you can think of. We can wear it over other clothes or under them or use its oversized model as a comfortable dress at home.
Beauty and charm
But Willis, the designer of the English shirt brand, believes that the white shirt is very well-combined and beautiful. Especially its high-quality types of cotton and linen are really stylish. This dress is both formal, smart casual and casual. Is there really better than this?
Button the sleeve at the wrist, leave it open, fold it in three quarters, roll it up to the arm, leave the collar open, close the buttons all the way, whatever you do with this shirt, it will not lose its charm. I don’t think there has ever been a dress in the fashion industry that is still beautiful no matter what you throw at it.
Suitable for everyone
Interestingly, this dress is suitable for anyone with any shape and any body type, from pear and apple to rectangle to inverted triangle and hourglass. It doesn’t matter whether you are skinny or oversized, you can wear a white button-down shirt with ease. There is no specific age, from a 5-year-old child to an 80-year-old woman, everyone can find an attractive style with this dress.
Matching white button down shirt with other clothes
First, we’ll talk about pairing a button-down shirt with other clothes, and then we’ll provide ideas for different occasions.
1. With winter puffers
White shirt with puffer is an attractive combination for autumn days. The puffer is fashionable and the white button-down shirt is classic; So by combining these two, you will have a unique style. In this style, you can match a light brown puffer with charcoal trousers, black boots and a black bag to make your white shirt stand out.
2. With leather support and camel coat
Pair a white button-down shirt with stretchy faux leather pants and a camel coat over it. This attractive combination gives you a stylish casual style and is suitable for autumn days.
3. With a structured coat
The combination of classic white shirt with jeans is really beautiful. Again, if you want a smart casual style, wear a structured jacket over this shirt. With this combination, be sure to choose a shoe that has a heel; The height of the heel depends on you, but it will be more stylish if the toe is pointed.
4. With a short or long blazer
The blazer is formal and goes perfectly with the white button down shirt. You may think that this style is suitable for the workplace; But it is not. You can try it for dates with friends, meetings or even going out with colleagues. This is a great technique for layering a white shirt. If you like, you can use crop blazer which is trendy.
5. With a crop top
Wear a white shirt with white wide leg jeans and pair it with a crop top which is very trendy these days. Leave the last few buttons of the shirt open. Instead of jeans, you can use a maxi skirt or any other stylish pants and skirt that will balance with the white shirt and crop jacket. Platform shoes can complete this style.
6. With straight jeans
One of the easiest styles to wear with a white button down shirt is jeans. This is a classic combination. Depending on how dressy or casual you want to look, you can complete your look with heels, boots, loafers or sneakers. A cute way is to tuck your white shirt into your pants or tie the ends. A comfortable and effortless style that you can try in many casual situations.
7. With baggy jeans
If you prefer baggy jeans, you can pair it with a white shirt and wear loafers and a white handbag to complete your look. It combines trendy jeans with a classic shirt.
8. with tight jeans
So far, most of the combinations we mentioned were with loose jeans. If you don’t like to wear baggy jeans, pair your white shirt with skinny or straight jeans. With this combination, the best shoes are a pair of white sneakers.
9. With pencil cloth pants
Pencil pants, known for their slim fit, can make a great combination with white shirts. If your white shirt is your tone, pencil pants with it will give you a formal style. Of course, if you like to have an androgynous look, use men’s cloth pants and tie a tie with your white shirt. This style is better for women who are a little different from others.
10. with chino pants
The combination of chino pants with a white shirt creates a beautiful fit. Chinos are smart casual and white shirts are elegant and formal. Therefore, you will easily have a smart casual style with this combination. You can wear it with sandals, sneakers or boots. It depends on you and of course the weather.
11. with leather pants
You can wear your white shirt with leather pants. Tuck the shirt into the pants. Complete your style with a black leather bag and black leather shoes. In the picture, you can see that the Yves Saint Laurent chain bag is selected. The shine of the leather and the metal of the chain and the metallic tip of the shoe have completed the simplicity of the white shirt.
12. With semi-cloche skirt, Fon or eight cracks
One of the attractive ways to pair a white button-down shirt with a skirt is to pair it with any a-line style skirt. It will be more up-to-date if you choose a fabric that is strong enough to maintain its structure. Do not forget that the skirt should have a separate waist and fit exactly on the waist line. More importantly, be sure to put the shirt inside the skirt and the skirt should be midi or below the knee. There is not enough to say about the beauty of this style.
13. With a statement skirt
Combine a white shirt with a statement skirt for a perfect party style. Statement skirts are skirts that have a lot of glitter and attract the attention of others. These skirts create a balanced combination with white shirts, which are known for their simplicity. Bold textures, bold designs and special skirt styles are all perfect for pairing with a plain white shirt.
14. with a linen skirt
A white shirt with a linen skirt is very beautiful. Choose a color close to white to create harmony. This combination is suitable for a friendly party.
15. With a denim skirt
Pair a denim skirt that can be midi or maxi with a white shirt. Blue and white make a classic combination, so if you want to be smart, play with patterns. For example, you can choose a button-front or side skirt, gladiator sandals, or make your makeup trendy. Any of these things can take you away from the classic combination.
Of course, this style is suitable for wearing in warmer weather. If you wear sandals and a button-down shirt in cold weather, it will certainly not be appropriate.
16. With a pencil skirt
One of the attractive combinations of a white shirt with a pencil skirt is that it makes it very formal and office. We already said that a-line skirts are perfect for pairing a white shirt with a skirt; But a midi or below-the-knee pencil skirt is also wonderful. This look is completely professional and classic.
17. with a maxi skirt
This traditional classic combination is also attractive. You can tuck the shirt into the skirt and roll up your sleeves. If you are a child of the sixties, this combination probably reminds you of Dr. Ernst’s wife in the cartoon “Dr. Ernst’s Family”. The mother of the family always wears the same clothes on the island!
If your white shirt is oversized, tie it underneath to define your waist. Depending on the fabric of the skirt, this dress can be casual or very elegant and formal. If you remember, we said Sharon Stone wore it to the Oscars.
18. With white pants or skirt
If you’re looking for a monochrome style with a white button-down shirt, pair it with white pants or a skirt. It is better to tie the end of the shirt on the stomach. If you don’t do this, you may end up with a soulless style due to the white shirt and pants. This method defines the border between shirt and pants or skirt. However, if you don’t feel like tying it, you can tuck it into pants or skirts.
19. With women’s shirts
Wear a white button down shirt over a feminine shirt and see what an elegant combination you have for fall. Don’t forget that the shirt buttons should either be open or tied at the end. Also, this combination is suitable for cool weather, not cold weather.
20. With a short or long sarong
You can wear the white shirt under the sarong. Just choose the type that the sleeves fit in the sarafan ring in a proper way and don’t gather to bother your armpits.
21. With a knitted vest
You can wear a white shirt under a knitted vest. This combination is suitable for autumn days. The shirt is long and sticks out from under the vest, so choose a shirt that fits your body. Complete your style with zap jeans and combat boots.
22. With a knitted pullover
One of the attractive styles for cold days is to pair a white button-up shirt with a knitted pullover. Especially if the pullover is shorter and the shirt sticks out from under it. Of course, if you think this method is sloppy, you can put the shirt inside the pants or skirt.
23. With wide belts
A wide belt is a perfect accessory for a white shirt and makes it look simple. Of course, a wide belt is more suitable for a white shirt. If you are wearing an oversized shirt, be sure to choose a narrow belt to give your loose shirt the right structure.
Different ways to set a white shirt
In this section, we suggest different methods that you can use to match the white shirt with other clothes.
With layering technique as top layer
A white button-down shirt can be paired with a graphic t-shirt, trendy flared jeans, sneakers, a handbag, and sunglasses. Leave your white shirt unbuttoned like a jacket. This look is perfect for shopping, errands, or day trips.
Monochrome technique
If you like to have a completely white style, you can implement the monochrome technique in this way. Wear a trendy pair of flared pants or, if you don’t like it, white jeans. Pair it with your white shirt, but leave a few buttons open at the bottom of the shirt. Then place the left edge of the shirt on the right side of the pants and the right edge on the left side. An oversized bag, statement jewelry and a pair of high heels will complete your style. This chic look is perfect for a night out or a dinner date.
Colorblocking technique
If you like to style your white shirt with color blocking technique, you can wear it with colored pants and choose your bag and shoes from complementary colors or any color that goes well with various color blocking techniques. For example, yellow and purple complement each other, you can choose yellow bag and purple pants. Your white shirt goes well with this combination. This style is suitable for friendly and casual parties, not formal.
Set the white shirt in different situations
Remember that a white button-down shirt is classic and is considered a formal dress. However, it depends on what you pair it with.
- If you wear a white shirt with a formal jacket, blazer, pencil skirt, maxi skirt with expensive fabrics, tight skirt and fabric pants, it will be suitable for formal occasions.
- If you pair a white shirt with clean chino pants or jeans and wear a stylish jacket or jacket on it, you will have a smart casual style that is suitable for casual but stylish situations.
- If you pair your white shirt with jeans, shorts or regular skirts, leave the buttons open or tie the ends, it will be suitable for casual situations.
Important note: Don’t forget that buttoning or unbuttoning near the collar of this shirt is stylish for women anyway. However, if in doubt, pair it with a tie or bow tie for formal occasions. For casual situations, there is no need to fasten the buttons all the way up.
Ideas for matching a white shirt
In this section, we have a series of ideas for matching a white shirt that you can try in different situations:
1. Ideas for formal occasions
With fabric straight pants, simple black heels, black office bag:
The combination of a white shirt with checkered gray pants and a formal bag and shoes is suitable for people who like neutral colors:
With pleated pants and a bow belt, simple shoes and a simple leather bag:
White shirt with pleated skirt and bow tie, simple black bag and shoes
2. Ideas for smart casual situations
In this model, the shirt is in a casual off-shoulder style; But the pants are formal and the blazer and bag are also formal:
Formal white jacket and shirt, formal bag and shoes, casual jeans:
White shirt with formal high heels and casual gray jeans:
3. Ideas for casual situations
Black support with white oversized button-down shirt and casual accessories:
With jeans and white sneakers, both of which are casual:
With loose blue fabric pants and sports shoes:
final word
In this article, we talked about how to wear a white button-down shirt. This classic item is extremely popular in the fashion world and has maintained its durability decade after decade. We talked about the secrets of the charm of this lovely dress and we saw that it can be worn in any situation, from formal to casual, with any outfit from jeans to Turkish black skirt, with any body shape and any age and enjoy its beauty. This shirt is genderless and can be worn by both men and women. This article was for women; Therefore, we suggest that men also read the article related to themselves. Do you wear this shirt? Please share your views with us.
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