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9 Ways to Wear the Great White Shirt

This little basic will work anywhere from the beach to a cocktail party


spinner image Ann Taylor Weekend Frayed Mid Rise Wide Leg Jeans in Ivory; Organic Cotton Perfect Shirt; Sam Edelman Ethyl Low Top Sneaker in Bright White Leather; Pacifica Illume UPF Relaxed Jacket in Poppy
(Left to right) Ann Taylor Weekend Frayed Mid Rise Wide Leg Jeans in Ivory; Gap Organic Cotton Perfect Shirt; Sam Edelman Ethyl Low Top Sneaker in Bright White Leather; Pacifica Illume UPF Relaxed Jacket in Poppy
Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Ann Taylor; Nordstrom; The Gap; Athleta)

White shirts are wonderful for women of every age but as we get older, there are even more reasons to love them, especially in spring and summer. A white shirt keeps you cool. (Hallelujah!) It frames your face and reflects light. It’s versatile. A classic one is a money-saving workhorse and pairs with almost anything in your wardrobe, from blazer to bathing suit to brightly colored sweater. Movie stars have embraced the magic of a white shirt for decades. Sharon Stone even wore one to the Oscars with a long satin skirt back in the day!

The kind I am talking about is a white button-down. It can be thin and crisp or a heavier cotton oxford style. But it should have a collar and long sleeves with cuffs.

Here are some surefire white-shirt formulas:

1. White shirt + Satin pleated skirt + Layered necklace + Kitten heel

spinner image Journee Collection Women’s Manza Kitten Heels in Black; Kenneth Jay Lane Pearl Triple Strand Necklace
(Left to right) Journee Collection Women’s Manza Kitten Heels in Black; Kenneth Jay Lane Pearl Triple Strand Necklace
Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Macy's; Halsbrook)

Tuck in a white shirt like this beauty — Classic Fit Non-Iron Stretch Supima Cotton Dress Shirt ($118, brooksbrothers.com) — and blouse it a little. Open up the neck to showcase a statement necklace like the Kenneth Jay Lane Pearl Triple Strand Necklace ($150, halsbrook.com). With a sleek skirt like the Aqua Pleated Satin Midi Skirt in black ($78, bloomingdales.com), a kitten-heeled pump like the Journee Collection Women’s Manza Kitten Heels in black ($70, macys.com) and a small clutch, this elegant look can take you to a cocktail party, a shower, a graduation, even a daytime wedding.

2. White shirt + Blazer + Jeans + Scarf

spinner image Levi’s Women’s 726 Western Flare Slim Fit Jeans; Zara Tailored Double Breasted Blazer; Kate Spade Fortune Spinner Square Silk Scarf in Pink Multi
(Left to right) Levi’s Women’s 726 Western Flare Slim Fit Jeans; Zara Tailored Double Breasted Blazer; Kate Spade Fortune Spinner Square Silk Scarf in Pink Multi
Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Macy's; Zara; Nordstrom)

A navy blazer like this Tailored Double Breasted Blazer ($90, zara.com) makes a chic combination with a white shirt such as Fitted Cotton Shirt ($46, mango.com), a printed silk scarf like this Kate Spade Fortune Spinner Square Silk Scarf in Pink Multi ($88, nordstrom.com) and jeans in a medium wash like these Levi’s Women’s 726 Western Flare Slim Fit Jeans ($70, macys.com) to wear to work — assuming jeans are permitted. Unbutton the shirt collar and knot the scarf at your collarbone. Just add loafers or low-heeled pumps and a shoulder bag. The same look can take you to a meeting, to lunch or to an afternoon event such as an art show, lecture or concert.

3. White shirt + Bright hoodie + White pants + White sneakers

spinner image Ann Taylor Weekend Frayed Mid Rise Wide Leg Jeans in Ivory; Gap Organic Cotton Perfect Shirt; Pacifica Illume UPF Relaxed Jacket in Poppy; Sam Edelman Ethyl Low Top Sneaker in Bright White Leather
(Clockwise from left) Ann Taylor Weekend Frayed Mid Rise Wide Leg Jeans in Ivory; Gap Organic Cotton Perfect Shirt; Pacifica Illume UPF Relaxed Jacket in Poppy; Sam Edelman Ethyl Low Top Sneaker in Bright White Leather
Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Ann Taylor; Nordstrom; The Gap; Athleta)

For a snappy, updated weekend look, pair a colorful hoodie like the Pacifica Illume UPF Relaxed Jacket in Poppy ($98, athleta.gap.com) with an affordable white shirt such as Organic Cotton Perfect Shirt ($39, gap.com), white jeans like the Ann Taylor Weekend Frayed Mid Rise Wide Leg Jeans in Ivory ($90, anntaylor.com) and sneakers like the Sam Edelman Ethyl Low Top Sneaker in Bright White Leather ($80, nordstrom.com). Leave the shirt untucked so the hem peeks from below the jacket. Add a crossbody bag or backpack to keep up the sporty attitude.

4. White shirt + Print pants + Straw hat + Espadrilles

spinner image Zara ZW Collection Printed Pants; Miz Mooz Carmena Flat in Ocean
(Left to right) Zara ZW Collection Printed Pants; Miz Mooz Carmena Flat in Ocean
Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Zara; Nordstrom)

Create a beachy vibe by wearing a shirt like the Women’s Oxford Shirt in White ($42, landsend.com) half-tucked into printed cotton pants like the ZW Collection Printed Pants ($70, zara.com). (Love this blue and white combination!) A straw hat like this cute Bucket Hat in Natural ($30, loft.com) and colorful espadrilles such as Miz Mooz Carmena Flat in Ocean ($90, nordstrom.com) evoke island style à la St. Barts or Capri.

Just for fun, here are a few more white-shirt ideas that will get you dressed and out of the house fast.

5. White shirt + Black trousers + Dramatic earrings + Strappy sandals

Switch out your daytime accessories for glamorous jewelry and sexy shoes — and go straight to cocktails or dinner.

6. White shirt + Capri pants + Trench coat + Ballet flats

Channel Audrey Hepburn’s gamine style. Updo and black eyeliner optional.

7. White shirt + Swimsuit + Sarong + Slides

Leave the shirt open over your swimsuit, tie a sarong around your hips and slip on some slides. Time for a piña colada!

8. White shirt + Wide khakis + Vest + Necktie

Remember the film Annie Hall? Diane Keaton charmed the world with her quirky menswear-inspired costumes that would still look smart today…. I’m not sure about the tie, but why not give it a shot?

9. White shirt + Pencil skirt + Pointy pumps + Stacked bracelets

Convey boss-lady authority by tucking your shirt into a knee-length pencil skirt and pushing up the sleeves to show off a stack of bangles or a classic tank watch. Add heels, stand tall and lean in.

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