I was watching Oprah this afternoon, and once again, someone mentioned that EVERYONE needs a crisp, white shirt! Do you think this is true? I look TERRIBLE in white. I will sometimes wear a white summer shirt over a colored tank in the summer, but it still washes me out. The suits I have are in colors that aren’t necessarily good with my skintone (e.g., black), but look great with tops that go witih my coloring ... not with white! IF you agree that NOT everyone needs a crisp, white, shirt...what would an alternative be?
I think so. I usually buy three. Usually the same style but one for the office, one for wearing jeans and one as backup reason for the two reasons I just gave.
You can do so much to match the white shirt..add a great belt, wear a camisole in complimenting color.
I don’t know too many people who look bad in a white shirt.
I agree… I think everyone needs a white dress shirt. Even if you don’t love the way it looks on you, you never know when you’ll find yourself in a pinch and have to wear it - under a sweater, with a suit, or whatever. I bet you don’t look as terrible in it as you think you do!
I think everyone needs a Crisp White Shirt!!!!! I have three, so they don’t get to worn and yellowed. Try different styles to see what works with your personal style and body shape. Banana Rebublic and J.Crew always have nice ones to choose from. Also, try puttin a bright colored necklace to prevent you gettin gthat washed out look! Bright colors are so popular for Spring, and a nice change from all the drab colors of winter.... here’s a great choice for a multi-colored necklace from http://www.jbandme.com. They have Free Shipping and Free Returns!
I agree with Allison—I would bet that you don’t look as bad as you think you do—it’s possibly more a matter of just not being used to it. While I don’t wear my white dress shirts very often—as I’m not a HUGE fan of button-downs on myself—I always have one at the ready in the closet. How do I wear it? Usually with a pair of jeans, heels and silver hoop earrings. Simple, yes, but classic and easy—for those days when I just can’t decide. . . .
As for an alternative, perhaps a black dress shirt could serve the same purpose. But, having said that, I think we all (myself so totally included) fall back on black waaaay too often.
I think that everyone needs a crisp button-down shirt in a light neutral color. I look better in ivory and warm beige than in white, so my shirts are ivory. However, I do have a couple of printed shirts with a white background. The prints make the white wearable for me.
Looooooooove the crisp white shirt, but some lifestyles just make it impractical (for example, being the parent of a toddler!) Right now I rather spend my money on something I get more use out of. But once my kid enters junior high, I hope to be able to get as much use out of a white shirt as humanly possible.
I say no for a couple reasons. 1. Crisp white shirts require dry cleaning or meticulous ironing. Even the No iron fabrics really do need to be ironed to look good. I have no time or money for this
2. If you do not dry clean them, then white gets discolored soo easily. I’m not a sweaty person, but I never fail to get some odd colored arm pits on all my white shirts.
I have a pretty casual work environment, but my alternative would simply be button-down shirts in various colors. I do love white, but it simply does not work for me.
I would say yes to the question. Generally. The only problem I have with a white shirt is that it doesn’t stay spotless for more than 10 minutes on me. Especially when I’m eating pasta. :)
