Every guy has, or should have, at least one white button-up shirt in his closet. Assuming that this wardrobe staple is indeed hanging in your closet, it’s fair to say that it’s likely on heavy rotation. Despite wearing this classic frequently, it’s easy to fall into a style rut by continually pairing one of the most versatile pieces in your closet with other essentials like dress pants in neutral colors or denim. With the recession in full swing, however, now is the time to consider the extra mileage you can get out of your dependable dress shirt. To help you shop your closet and create new looks with a shirt you already own, we’ve put together a list of five suggestions that are affordable (all are under $100), on-trend and will instantly revive your wardrobe.
Stray from black, gray and navy and sneak some color into your wardrobe with a cardigan in an attention-grabbing color like forest green, bright blue or a pastel during the warmer months. If you’re stylistically daring, consider shades like yellow as well, and remember that you can get away with brighter, more outrageous colors the darker your skin tone is. Alternatively, if you’re wary of brights, try out a universally flattering neutral shade men don’t often wear — camel. Wear your cardigan of choice as you would a blazer — because sweaters are a lot cheaper, you can buy them in a few different colors and you’ll always appear to have a new look. Try this organic cotton jersey cardigan from B. Son that’s ideal for daytime.
Contrasting a crisp white dress shirt with a track jacket is a quick way to achieve that hip, high-low look that makes you seem like you were born stylish. Although you may not be able to wear this sporty chic combination to the office, it’s a fantastic selection for the weekend. A track jacket with a hint of sheen to it, like this piece from Fred Perry, will add an extra edge to your dress shirt. Though denim is the obvious choice when it comes to bottoms here, this jacket would be stunning with white pants and sneakers.
A cardigan in an unexpected hue
Stray from black, gray and navy and sneak some color into your wardrobe with a cardigan in an attention-grabbing color like forest green, bright blue or a pastel during the warmer months. If you’re stylistically daring, consider shades like yellow as well, and remember that you can get away with brighter, more outrageous colors the darker your skin tone is. Alternatively, if you’re wary of brights, try out a universally flattering neutral shade men don’t often wear — camel. Wear your cardigan of choice as you would a blazer — because sweaters are a lot cheaper, you can buy them in a few different colors and you’ll always appear to have a new look. Try this organic cotton jersey cardigan from B. Son that’s ideal for daytime.A striped blazer
Break out of your usual style routine by donning a striped blazer. A knock-out choice, particularly in the summer, a striped blazer will lend a chic, nautical feel to your ensembles. Plus, though a patterned blazer is unexpected and will shake up your look, stripes are a fairly conservative pattern, especially when paired with a white dress shirt, meaning you won’t have to relegate this blazer to after-hours duty only. For a blazer that will pair equally well with just about everything your typical navy or black blazer would, try this gray and white cotton model from Gap. For more laid-back days, consider swapping your striped blazer for a patterned hoodie to funk up your basic white dress shirt and achieve a casual-cool look.
Shorts
When you have a smart-casual occasion to dress up for in summer, try mixing your white dress shirt with shorts. It can be just as impressive as wearing dress pants, but it’s more eye-catching and you won’t feel as stuffy. Much like the cardigan, the major benefit of shorts is that they are inexpensive and can be paired with many other items in your closet. Make sure you seek out a tailored, unadorned pair, steering clear of anything with a pattern or a drawstring. These shorts from Theory are the perfect option as their hook and bar closure, angled side pockets, button-close rear pockets, and contemporary fit give them the same polished appeal you would expect from high-quality dress pants. Keep your outfit elegant by skipping the sneakers and pairing them instead with sleek leather sandals.
White pants
A white dress shirt may be a basic, but when teamed with matching pants to create a head-to-toe white ensemble, it becomes incredibly refined. To get this look right, you want to find white pants in a lightweight material. Spend enough so that the fabric isn’t transparent and the cut is right for your body, but don’t splash out so much that you’ll ruin your fun if you spill a bit of tomato sauce or wine on yourself. These easy-to-clean cotton pants from Express meet all the above criteria, featuring clean lines and a modern fit with a hint of stretch fabric for comfort. For a swish night out, keep the all-white theme going by adding a white blazer to your outfit. During the day, brightly colored sunglasses give white a quirky-cool twist.
A track jacket
Contrasting a crisp white dress shirt with a track jacket is a quick way to achieve that hip, high-low look that makes you seem like you were born stylish. Although you may not be able to wear this sporty chic combination to the office, it’s a fantastic selection for the weekend. A track jacket with a hint of sheen to it, like this piece from Fred Perry, will add an extra edge to your dress shirt. Though denim is the obvious choice when it comes to bottoms here, this jacket would be stunning with white pants and sneakers.
Wear your white shirt right
When it comes to fashion, we’re so trained to desire something new that we forget what’s already at our disposal. We’ve listed five inexpensive ways you can breathe new life into a shirt that’s already in your closet, but many more abound. If you don’t have any of the items listed here, or you don’t have the cash to acquire them, try picking up cheap accessories from a discount store, such as a pair of pale sunglasses. Cuff your denim and don some high tops for a budget-conscious retro-cool, ‘50s throwback. Give it a little thought and you’ll soon realize that your closet is full of exciting, novel possibilities.
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