White dress shirts are a staple in the workplace. They’re a versatile staple that every professional should own. They work for formal events, business casual, everyday wear, and even casual Fridays. The best white button-ups to wear to work look professional and stylish while staying light enough to stay cool during warmer months.
Yet many people shy away from white shirts because they’re afraid of looking like they’re “overdressed”. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to wear a white shirt. White shirts are classic, no matter what occasion you’re dressing for. To this day, white button-downs are the go-to office-friendly garment, and they go with everything. Here are seven cool ways to wear a white shirt at work.
With an open jacket and straight jeans
An open jacket is casual but looks put together and will help a white shirt to pop. One of the best combinations and most important outfits in an office worker’s wardrobe, a jacket and straight jeans are the epitome of casual chic, professional yet fashionable.
Keep it clean and simple if you are looking to just casually wear your jacket with some jeans, a white shirt, and boots. Stick to brown boots, and a matching belt to dress it up a little. Black does not match blue jeans, so only wear black boots if your jeans are black.
With a blazer and smart trousers
Office workers have so many choices when choosing work attire, from dresses and skirts to chinos and shorts. Nothing beats a classic blazer, white shirt, and smart trousers for a classic work look, however. This look is so easy to create and will have you looking sharp for work in no time. This is a business look polished enough for work, but casual enough for happy hour. This outfit is a solid choice for work because it’s business casual yet not super formal, so it’s still appropriate to wear to meetings or conferences. An all-black look goes great with black hair, but if your hair is lighter than black, choose shades of blue or grey.
With shorts or a skirt
When dressing for work in the summer months, you want to look polished yet comfortable. The solution? Nothing but a white shirt, shorts or skirt. It’s easy to elevate your outfit to look stylish and professional, as long as it all fits well. A pair of smart shorts or skirt with a tucked white shirt can do wonders when you need a polished, professional look for work but it’s too hot for full length trousers. The shorts or skirt you choose depends on your work dress code, but as a general rule for both men and women, the hem of your shorts or skirt should rest no higher than the top of your knees.
Under a smart jumper
Sometimes a jacket/blazer can feel too restrictive and formal, whilst just a shirt can feel too casual and sometimes even chilly in colder weather. Jackets can also be expensive, and choosing a colour other than blue, grey or black is sometimes frowned upon. Luckily, the solution is a smart jumper. Smart jumpers can be fitted and formal, but are stretchy enough to allow movement. They also give you an extra layer to keep warm (helpful if the AC in your office is set to freezing), whilst they come in many more colours that can help brighten up your wardrobe. Your shirt underneath will be visible around the collar, giving a nice pop of clean, crisp white.
With a cardigan and skinny jeans
Perfect for dress-down Friday, a white button-down shirt and a cardigan looks effortlessly smart, whilst also being casual. Layering a white shirt under a knit cardigan also shows off the shirt more than if you were wearing a full jumper, and will keep you cooler if you tend to get hot. Skinny jeans also cut a trim figure, helping to tighten things up and prevent your outfit from looking too sloppy. It’s clean and simple.
