January 15, 2025
For decades, I did everything I could to avoid wearing button-front shirts. If it fit across the… torso, the sleeves were miles too long. If I got the right sleeve length, it wouldn’t button!
And why it never occurred to me to try a Petite sized shirt, I do NOT know.
Now, I have a handful of shirts, and I wear the dickens out of them! Maybe it’s not too late for you – a simple white shirt really is wicked useful. If you find that they’re too “crispy” and neat, get one of these no-iron ones and don’t touch-up iron it at all. They’re nice and soft that way…
Scarf – Katchmagic London x Lamberry Munich; earrings – Nellou Jewellery; heather blossom cashmere sweater – J.Crew; Shirt – Lands’ End; jeans – Madewell; sneakers – Sam Edelman
Yes, you see these L.L.Bean pants all the time. I have two pairs of them (heritage stone and black) and wear them weekly. Workhorses.
Scarf – Delinor; earrings – Pandora; adobe rose cardigan – L.L.Bean; Shirt – Lands’ End; pants – L.L.Bean; loafers – Marc Fisher LTD
And these navy pants? 100% wool, and lined:
Earrings – Farra; necklace – Farra; Shirt – Lands’ End; cardigan – L.L.Bean; navy pants – Alex Mill; loafers – Bandolino
Aren’t the details on this skirt nice?
Earrings – Kendra Scott; bandana – Terrain; cashmere vest – Boden; Shirt – Lands’ End; skirt – Madewell; boots – Bella Vita
A 100% wool skirt:
Earrings – Talbots; necklace – Talbots; alpaca cardigan – Alex Mill; Shirt – Lands’ End; wool skirt – Eileen Fisher; boots – Abeo
I LOVE this last outfit – dressy, but relaxed. Show off your amethysts!
Shirt – Lands’ End; amethyst necklace – Farra; amethyst and pearl bracelet – Farra; gold bag – Nina; skirt – Frock Tales; sandals – Calvin Klein
If you’re still dead set against a white shirt, all of these ideas would work splendidly with a white tee shirt in cotton, or silk, or something else!
love,
Janice
p.s. Ten years ago, we accessorized our small grey wardrobe with flowers! I would still wear every bit of this…
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I love a good white button down. I would wear every outfit in this post, or some version thereof.
The pretty grape skirt is so very ladylike. But did you see the forest print version? Wow! I do believe it could work with this year’s O’Keefe wardrobe. For me, this skirt has whappage. Unfortunately, I would have to cut down about half of it to make it the right length for me or wear it as a maxi…Hmm…
Dior and Donna Reed would have loved that last one in the 1950s! Classic for a reason!
Between my messiness and my hatred of ironing, I don’t wear crisp white button-downs very often but when I do, yes, they’re a great background for whatever else the outfit should be!
Hi D! I’m another ironing avoided (hater readed to harsh 🤣). But boy, do I love white shirts! My trick is to hang them as soon as they wash and if you have a dryer, 30 minutes in there are a game changer. If not going to work or if I’m using a second layer, I don’t mind a few wrinkles as well. In the sumer I just sprink a bit of water before wearing.
Outfits are very pretty, especially the first 3, I can set similar ones with ease and maybe I’ll soon need a pink sweater 😊 so it’s another great inspirational post.
Cheers and blessings all!
Janice, I wear button downs most days. Whether they’re plain or patterned, all fall, winter and spring, I will wear one under a sweater or a vest. You hit the nail on the head with finding the right fit is like finding the holy grail in shopping (along with finding the perfect fit jeans and the perfect white tee). I don’t have good luck with the way Lands End fits me…the same piece can be both too big in places and too small in others. I’m somewhat pear shaped and I have found that the JCrew Factory (not the regular JCrew), as well as Talbots, can provide the correct fit for women with my shape.
White button downs can also serve, worn open, as a light over layer in summer or even a bathing suit coverup. I quite literally own five white button downs—one is 3/4 sleeve, one is longer (to be worn out, not tucked in), one has a stand up ruffle collar & cuffs, one is white chambray and one is traditional. I honestly wear every single one, all year round. These are truly the workhorses of my wardrobe.
I’ve recently re-discovered the joy of button downs! Love them under a good blazer. But as much as I like the look of them under a pullover, I just CANNOT. Something about it is so uncomfortable, I want to rip my clothes off. Too bad as it’s sharp look.
Ellen, that sounds like my closet! Also workhorse items, in my case 4: a 3/4 v neck with waist straps (not sure how you call those things that tye on the back of a garment, usually seen on dresses), one with ruffled collar in off white linen blend, one with Mao collar and a classic one like the one Janice shows here.
To my eye (a casual and comfort seeking eye), a white shirt polishes an outfit.