The white shirt is a wardrobe classic – but this year its status has been elevated somewhat, from workwear staple to catwalk star.
It’s perhaps all thanks to the Chanel show, as new designer Matthieu Blazy styled joy-bringing ball skirts with white shirts on the catwalk, while Nicole Kidman made hers look effortlessly chic with jeans on the front row. If that’s not enough to convince you of the timeless appeal, then the on-screen revival of Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s style (in Disney+ series Love Story) surely will.
On the high street this spring there are endless iterations – some good, some not so. The Telegraph’s fashion team has duly sifted through the stocks to find the very best ones to buy now (and enjoy wearing forever) whatever your budget.
Best for styling up
Lisa Armstrong
Cotton shirt, £190, Essentiel Antwerp
I’ve noticed some brands are really going for it when it comes to styling their plain white shirts – cross body bags fastened high on the torso, little silk scarves added. Message received: on their own, white shirts can look dull and shapeless. Think of it instead as a kind of skin luminiser – not the main act, but a brilliant support one, with collar and cuffs popping out from a jumper.
This Essentiel Antwerp is an exception to the boring kind: it has enough detailing – gold buttons, versatile neck tie – to justify its place in a leading role. My JW Anderson for Uniqlo jeans also add some interesting barrel shape to the silhouette but this shirt would work just as well over a straight, slim leg. Tuck or half tuck it, roll up the sleeves – play around until you have a look that reads as considered rather than haphazard. And do press it. A creased white shirt negates that whole pristine aura and reminds everyone how effortful this “effortlessness” really is.
Best second-hand option
Tamara Abraham
My go-to is this Emma Willis shirt that was “borrowed” from my mother’s wardrobe a couple of years ago. I love the feel and weight of the twill fabric, which feels more substantial than poplin at this time of year. The Jermyn Street shirtmaker is firmly at the luxury end of the market, and a new one would cost around £310, but they pop up on eBay and Vestiaire Collective every so often for around £80. Fit is the main issue with shopping second-hand, so do make sure you know your measurements in the arm and chest, and if in doubt, size up rather than down.
Best for a slouchy yet structured feel
Sophie Tobin
Rounded pima cotton shirt, £85, Cos
I tend to wear my shirts loose so I look for structure when buying one. This one from Cos has rounded sleeves and is gently tailored at the waist, giving it shape without me having to do any styling tricks. I also tend to size up for a slouchy feel, and will steam the neckline open so it falls at just the right point to avoid readjusting throughout the day. Take note of the thickness of the fabric – choose a cotton poplin blend which won’t be seen through and will hold its shape well.
Best for casual cool
Hansveni Dave
Cotton shirt, £67, & Other Stories
I’ve had a love-hate relationship with shirts, as the wrong one makes me look like I’m on my way to class. However, when you get just the perfect degree of bagginess and the right material, a white shirt can make an outfit look effortlessly cool. I like to keep it casual with a pair of jeans, either blue or a pop of colour like these Arket ones. An oversized fit is my go-to, but if I fancy cinching the waist in or changing the silhouette, I’d use the accessory of the season, a brooch, to add some new structure.
Best shirt with a twist
Caroline Leaper
The boyfriend bow tie shirt, £120, With Nothing Underneath
I like my wardrobe classics to have a twist – a point of difference that makes them feel less ordinary. This shirt from With Nothing Underneath does just that. It has a neck tie detail that is neat rather than fussy (which is how I often think proper pussy-bow blouses are to wear) and I like that the overall proportions of the shirt are still those of a “boyfriend” cut. I’m wearing it done up here with jeans and a tailored jacket, but I would just as happily untie it and wear it with lighter jeans and trainers too, for a more casual take.
Best for mannish simplicity
Bethan Holt
Relaxed collared shirt, £50, Marks and Spencer
If you’ve been watching the new season of Love Story, detailing the relationship between JFK Jr and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, then you might be drawn to the idea of mannish white shirt where the appeal lies in its simplicity. (There’s a scene where Carolyn picks her boyfriend’s shirt up from the floor and artfully makes it look like the coolest outfit for a day at work). This M&S Autograph shirt has all the ease of a man’s version and is cut generously to give you that laid-back look. I like to tuck mine in and roll the cuffs to give some shape but come summer I’ll wear it loose and open with a vest top underneath. If you’d like something with a little more shape, do try new brand The Paloma Shirt which has a version with a clever back tie.