The Search for Cooler Workwear: 7 Fresh Alternatives to the Classic White Shirt
March 18, 2016
If you’re a professional woman of a certain age, you’ve no doubt read countless versions of the “# Wardrobe Staples Every Woman Should Own” article. And pretty much every iteration of that article sings the praises of the classic white shirt. For the record, we are fans of said shirt (and of shirts in general). But we’re also fans of flipping the script once in a while.
Below, we present seven fresh alternatives to your favorite white button-up.
1. Change up the neckline and add a print.
The Apfel shirt in geometric print and the Williamsburg skirt.
If you normally wear a traditional button-up, get crazy and ditch the buttons altogether. This luxurious geometric-print shirt features sculptural draping and a chic gold-bar closure. Wear it closed for a polished look, or open the neck for a loose, laissez-faire feel.
2. Embrace one bold detail.
The versatile Thatcher shirt and the almost-too-cool-for-school Nakamura trouser.
It’s unusual to find a top that looks as natural on a 25-year-old as it does on a 75-year-old, but this might just be that rare piece that bridges the generations. A little bit retro but still very “now,” this versatile tie-front shirt adjusts to your style. Tie it in a bow (prim and proper), create a loose knot (cool and confident), or leave it totally undone (well aren’t you insouciant).
3. Find your flow.
Pair the ethereal Didion top with the streamlined Greenpoint skirt.
There’s a prevailing belief that professional = crisp and tailored. But professionalism has a softer side, too. This pretty work top features a dreamy treescape pattern and is made from the lightest of French silks. In fact, it’s so light that you don’t really wear this shirt—you simply allow it to float around your body like a cloud. And that, friends, is a delightful experience.
4. Go easy and oversized.
The laid-back Hepburn shirt meets the somewhat sassy Noho Crackle skirt.
This easy shirt has all the trappings of the “classic white shirt,” but thanks to its oversized proportions, it’s so much cooler. Dropped shoulders and artful pleating in the back give this piece a decidedly relaxed point of view. In other words, it’s the piña colada of classic white shirts. Wear it with black pants for work, or half-tucked into jeans for weekend gallivanting.
5. Put a tree on it.
The Lagarde shirt and the Nakamura trouser. Now that’s just fun.
From afar, this beauty almost looks like the aforementioned classic shirt; but up close, it’s a whole different story. Our custom treescape pattern on French silk elevates this shirt above the rest—and sets you apart in the process. (We guarantee you’ll be the only one sporting a treescape in your next budget-review meeting.)
6. Keep it clean and modern.
A study in contrast: the Vreeland top and the Nakamura trouser.
A minimalist’s dream, this modern cream-colored top is the ultimate blank canvas. A little bit boxy but still streamlined, it’s the perfect complement to a slim black pant or a stretchy pencil skirt. Spice things up with eye-catching accessories, or keep it sleek and simple.
7. Soften the silhouette.
The Deneuve top: feels easy, looks elegant.
Sometimes, we want to look impeccable but we’re simply too lazy to do up any buttons. This easy wrap shirt is the answer. It pulls on over your head and then proceeds to make you look like a very fancy lady—almost zero effort required.
