Our in-house fashion expert, Tilly Tasker has been looking through her wardrobe and tells us ladies 5 ways to style a white shirt so that you’re one step ahead of the trends this summer!
With summer around the corner, my mind turns to creating a whole new wardrobe, filled with bright bohemian prints, chunky summer sandals and long flowing skirts. However, recreating your summer wardrobe has always been a little problematic; what do you do with last year’s garb?!
A wardrobe review over the last few weeks made me realize (with a bit of embarrassment), that I may have overindulged a little on the spring/summer 2013 trends. Aztec prints EVERYWHERE, but luckily I can breathe a sigh of relief that maxi skirts are still in trend, even if I have caught myself favoring the ankle-baring and bum flattering midi skirt over the rather drab, floppy gothic maxi number I bought last summer.
But then it caught my eye… a plain white shirt that I had only ever worn once or twice, purchased on a whim from H&M, far too ‘dressy’ for my casual and laid back style, but also too pristine for every day work attire. It stuck out like a sore thumb- one of the very few items in my wardrobe that had, possibly, never been worn out of the house.
But it got me thinking. There has GOT to be some way to take these old, frumpy items that would look nicer in the charity shop pile and make them cool again. Guildford and Surrey style is a cornucopia of effortless casual, with the practical thrown in. And so I rose to the challenge, I would resurrect my boring white shirt to make it worthy of the catwalk. Excuse my silly face and goofy smile in the pictures, but here we go…!
The Weekender
What would a lookbook be without a laid back twist on the old jeans-and-t-shirt? 90’s ‘Mom jeans’ and ‘boyfriend jeans’ are still very much ruling the Spring/Summer ’14 catwalks, so if you feel brave enough to pull them off, team them with a pair of summery sandals and a oversized parka for a practical, on-the-go look.
Also in this look:
Next Biker Parka, £65
Marks and Spencer Whipstitch Binocular Bag, £25
Girls Night Out
Be the envy of your friends and turn heads in the bar with your effortless ‘I just threw this on’ look. A sheer shirt adds a cheeky glimpse but still leaves much to the imagination, so team it up with a pair of skin-tight, wet-look leggings and wear the buttons high with a statement necklace. If you want to be really bang-on trend this year, grab yourself a pair of floral statement heels to top it all off!
Also in this look:
Topshop Wet Look Leggings, £18
Office, Ted Baker Luceey High Heel, £120
Work chic (Pictured at top)
Back to its roots, I originally bought this white shirt for work purposes but found it too rigid and formal for my likes. But with a bit of imagination and dusting off it can add a clean, sharp look to any occasion. If you don’t already have a pair of cigarette or peg-leg trousers, I highly recommend you get some! Comfortable, but add a hint of dressing down to an otherwise overly formal appearance. Finish the whole look off with an extra sharp pair of pointed toe heels (trendy for this summer!) and a pop-coloured handbag.
Also in this look:
Dorothy Perkins Navy Crepe Peg Leg Trouser, £22
Marks and Spencer Slouch Shopper Bag, £35
Lunch Date Darling
Actually, I threw this outfit together because I was late to meet my Mum for a cup of coffee, but it still works, feels comfortable and I apparently looked ‘as cute as a button’ (thanks, Mum!). Ol’ Whitey the shirt worked perfectly well under my slightly-itchy pastel mohair jumper and with a pair of jeggings and ballerina pumps. This is a great all-round day time outfit that will see you from morning to evening without losing its edge. If you want something a bit more ‘grown up’ wear a statement necklace or opt for a pair of acid wash jeggings for that tattier, grungey look to this otherwise very girly outfit.
Also in this look:
Wallis Cotton Stitchy Jumper, £30
Topshop Moto Grey Acid Jamie Jeans, £40
Festival Fabulous
All right, sun, games up! When are you coming out?!
I’ll admit this outfit feels a lot more ‘me’. If you can’t figure out a way to make your shirt look casual enough, perhaps use it as a throw-on/cover up and slip it in between layers of florals and leathers with that grungey mix up of textures and prints. Or, if you dare to bare your tummy this summer with the controversial crop top trend, throwing on an open or slightly-buttoned shirt will add a touch of modesty and sophistication.
Also in this look:
Mango Leather Biker Jacket, £119.99
Topshop Floral Pleat Midi Skirt, £45
Tilly Tasker