Wardrobe Staple No 3 of 33: The White Shirt

Audrey Hepburn’s character in Breakfast at Tiffany’s rocked the white shirt like no other woman ever has! Perfectly messy, perfectly undone, perfectly sexy. It’s the white shirt in a nut shell. At all times I have at least two white shirts in my wardrobe, one slim fit and one oversized. I love a white tuxedo shirt with French cuffs and a front pleated or flat placket oversized worn almost as a dress or a jacket. The tighter version is chic for a suit or pencil skirt and heels. It’s perfection for any wardrobe. This is one piece I do have to replace every year or two due to yellowing around the neck and cuffs. Sometimes from skincare chemicals, perfumes or sunscreens, it’s just an inevitable part of owning a white cotton shirt.

Charvet makes the chicest white shirts, made in France and the OG of mens shirting since they opened their Paris doors in 1838. Figaret is a more affordable option, still French and founded in 1968, and favored by the younger cool girls of Paris these days. The site is in French, couldn’t figure out the translation to EN, but overall the shirt I ordered was worth it! I also love Brooks Brothers, mens tux shirts specifically! I only buy from the mens section at BB because the Womens seems to be cut weird on me. Another American favorite is Ralph Lauren. I opt for Polo since I am usually replacing it every few years but if you can afford the high end collection, the fabrics and fit are divine! If I am on a super budget, for myself or a client, I always find something in a nice white cotton shirt format from Uniqlo. I always check out their collaborations (J+ by Jil Sander, Ines De La Fressange, JW Anderson, Uniqlo U by Lemaire) for great white shirts as well as the mens department!