WIW: Crisp White Shirt

My husband bought me this white shirt for this past Christmas and I will be honest and say I haven't worn it - until today. I think I had some sort of mental block with white shirts in a crisper fabrication. But I put it on this morning and suddenly fell in love!

This white shirt is a cotton blend with just the right amount of stretch. It has a v-neck and this interesting twist front that is magical for hiding wobbly bits. I also like that the style means it's not tucked in. It has both a dressy and casual vibe at the same time, if that's possible.

So I decided to go "full on suit" today with the white shirt and chose my black bootcut dress pants and black blazer. Even though the blazer and pants are not from the same suit they are the exact same shade of black and similar fabrication so work well as a "faux" suit.

My black patent booties, black leather handbag and purple/clear specs finish off the outfit. Sorry I forgot to put lipstick on for the pics but it will be my berry shade I wear today.

So what do you think? Does this work for a day with an important Board meeting? I find as per Angie's former comments, I definitely dress for my audience. As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

Blazer & blouse: Nygard
Trousers: Reitmans
Boots: Ara
Handbag: Danier Leather

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23 Comments

  • cheryle (Dianthus) replied 9 years ago

    If your goal was to look professional but not stodgy, you nailed it.  I have to wonder why you haven't been wearing this top.  The fit looks lovely on you and it seems the great way to wear a more fluid fit with the flattery of shape all in one garment.  

  • Neel replied 9 years ago

    You have to wear that shirt often. :). It is a very flattering style on you! The waist seems to hit at the right spot and with the topper it is just superb! Perfect for a board meeting day :)

  • Jaime replied 9 years ago

    Great top - you could wear it so many ways, including this one. I think you succeeded beautifully!

  • Robidi replied 9 years ago

    I love this shirt on you!  What a flattering and professional ensemble.

  • Joy replied 9 years ago

    What a great top. I can see you wearing it and blazer with any of your tube skirts, jeans, black or burgundy skinnys, and more.

  • Elizabeth P replied 9 years ago

    Yup, that shirt is great on you!  Let's see it more often!!

  • Ingunn replied 9 years ago

    Shannon, this shirt is beautiful on you. Wow! From now on, please put it on heavy rotation. 

  • Sara L. replied 9 years ago

    Great shirt!  I really like the crisp shirt and the crisp black and white combo. 

  • Golden replied 9 years ago

    Love it!

  • Angie replied 9 years ago

    LOVE. (You have 10 months of making up to do, Shannon). Use it as a layering piece under trendy knits too. 

    DH and I are white shirt kindred spirits it seems. xo

  • Windchime replied 9 years ago

    The shirt is so flattering on you; your DH has a good eye! I love it as you've styled it here, with all black and white. To change things up a bit, you could add a necklace or scarf to the outfit.

  • jackiec replied 9 years ago

    You are looking very corporate today! Yes, perfect for a board meeting. Looking forward to seeing this shirt in more outfits - it's a great crisp white shirt :)

  • Nebraskim replied 9 years ago

    Love this on you. I admit to having double massive sugar eye for crisp white shirts (which I wear a lot) because to me, they can be super professional or restyled to casual. I love the way the horizontal seaming lifts the waist and the slight flare skims your hips. Perfect design for you. Your spouse has captured your style completely.

  • Beth Ann replied 9 years ago

    I have your same slight distrust of crisp shirts:  such a bugger to fit right, they don't always move well with me, and then, of course, there's the ironing and the ring around the collar to contend with! 

    Still, they do frame and light up the wearer, don't they?  They also give a certain polish and professionalism to the wearer.  I find the gathering in the center a lovely feminine touch --- adding interest and softness (a that bit of retro you do so well).

    You look great!

  • Transcona Shannon replied 9 years ago

    *clapping hands*

    Hubby is going to be so chuffed that you like his shirt choice :) I will admit to feeling completely spiffy today in this outfit. It's funny how when I've decided to add more drape and softness to my style, I wear a crisp shirt and it feels great. What's up with that?

    Angie - I'm wondering if the knotted front might hinder layering the shirt under a knit?

    Thank you all so much - and by the way, I can't thank all of you enough lately for replying on my threads even though I haven't been able to do do that to the same degree. And I completely appreciate the feedback regarding my black skinny pants question and your wonderful advice for protein snacks. Munching on some almonds with a cup of green tea as we speak - love y'all :)

  • unfrumped replied 9 years ago

    Definitely need to wear! It is  fluid but also creates  waist definition--what a great combination.
    I have trouble tucking in my lower-rise pants , but the alternative shirttail-out look  is often not professional enough, especially sticking out from under jacket and not the newer intentional hi-low hems. The proportions on your shirt are just perfect, not a full shirttail hem, falls close to the jacket hem--love it.

  • Mona replied 9 years ago

    Love the shirt on you, dear! In my books, Shannon, you can do no wrong.

  • cheryle (Dianthus) replied 9 years ago

    I tried to layer this morning and finally gave up and put on a sweater.  (Was 10 minutes late for work too).  If you find the twist front doesn't lay flat enough under a knit top, perhaps under the red EF sweater...  The white with the deep red would be amazing.  Similar to Suz's save of the NAS mistake.

  • Suz replied 9 years ago

    This is fabulous on you! 

    I (and I think Tanya) had a similar Banana Republic sleeveless twist front top that was an Angie recommended item. I wore it a lot for two summers and passed it along this year because, being white, (and a summer top) it had lost its freshness. But I agree that the twist front detail was very helpful! 

    You can definitely wear it with a cardigan for more softness on days you feel like that. 

    And I think it is pretty normal to want some structure at least SOME of the time. I have worked out that for me, softness is what I crave on work-at-home days; structure is what i crave if I have important meetings, am out in the world, am giving a presentation, etc. 

  • Traci replied 9 years ago

    This is fantastic!  I've been on the hunt for a great twist front dress.  Now I'm adding crisp twist front white shirt to the list.

  • Caro in Oz replied 9 years ago

    Great outfit & YLF in the shirt TS. For apple-ish me adding some structure to my upper body always helps me feel really put-together :)

  • Deborah replied 9 years ago

    I wondered if we would see this shirt!  I love how you are wearing it.  The fit is great and it makes the 'suit' look interesting.  Great choice by hubby.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 9 years ago

    Shannon, you look spiffy indeed! Perfect outfit for an important board meeting. You look serious, not stuffy. Love the blouse--really love it! Hubs did great.

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