Tips on wearing buttons downs from Creative Director of Banana Republic
Allure’s April 2010 issue addressed how to wear a white shirt. For the article, the magazine interviewed Simon Kneen, the creative director for Banana Republic. Here is what he said:
Every woman should have at least one really good white shirt in her closet. It’s a staple she can mix into her wardrobe year after year. Here’s how:
Get the right fit. A white shirt is simple and unadorned by definition, so its best to choose one made of a high-quality fabric…Choose one that is neither skintight nor baggy; it should just skim the body. And be sure to sit down in the dressing room. If the shirt then gaps at the bust or hips, you need to go up one size.
Pair it well. If you’re wearing the shirt with a skirt or classic pants, it looks best tucked in; with skinny jeans, try it untucked. Rolling up your sleeves to a point just below or above the elbow is a great casual look, but make sure you won’t need to roll them back down since wrinkling is inevitable. If you throw on a sweater, make sure it’s a v-neck that’s low enough that you can still unbutton the second button of the shirt-otherwise it can look fussy.
Dress it up. All that crisp white cotton is a great blank canvas for accessories, but that doesn’t mean you should pile them on. Stick to one piece, like a statement necklace or a great cuff.
Handle with care. You should launder white shirts, but don’t dry clean them- the chemicals can cause yellowing. The gentlest treatment is to wash them at home in cold water and hang them to dry; you can always have them professionally pressed rather than ironing them yourself. No matter how careful you are, lotion, fragrances, and perspiration will inevitably lead to discoloration over time. If your white shirt is even the slightest bit dingy, its time to say good-bye, so when you find one you love, consider buying two.
