When a White Shirt is PERFECT

Sometimes, a white shirt (tee shirt, tank top) is the ideal choice for an outfit...  First and foremost, if you love the way you're dressed, then you're wearing the perfect clothes, no matter what ANYBODY else says.  In hot weather, when you're wearing other light-colored garments, or when you need the brightening effects of white near your face.

And you do understand that "your" white might be ecru, or cream, or ivory, or some other variations of white?  Choose what's best for you.  Always. Every day.  Without exception.  Your happiness is really the only standard by which your garments should be evaluated.


The lighter-background tee shirt is much more in keeping with the feeling of the white jeans.  Unless you're decidedly top-heavy, in which case you might be more comfortable in the 2nd ensemble.

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 Frankly, I think either of these outfits works well, but the one on the left does give you a more unbroken strong vertical line.

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 With a lighter skirt, the cream top seems to flow better, although again, I don't think the 2nd outfit is really terrible - I could easily and happily wear either...

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But here is a case where a dark tee shirt is a difficult choice.  The white just seems to work better, both from a "mood" standpoint, and a flattery perspective.  If you felt that you really did NOT want to wear a white shirt here, maybe the striped top just above, or a top toned to the cardigan, would be a better choice than this very dead black. 

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When White Shirts Fail

White shirts are an absolute classic, right?  Everybody should own one.  Everybody should pull it out and wear it whenever they're in doubt about what to wear.  Uhhhh - I don't quite agree. Yes, there are times and places where a white shirt is the most appropriate choice - a conservative job interview, for example.  But many of us, on a day to day basis, might be better flattered to wear tops that are closer in color to our pants or skirts -  if not a solid color, then a darker background.  See what you think...

Belovedest and I saw this woman a couple of days ago, and he asked me why she seemed  so out of proportion - the woman in question is actually tall and thin.  Her white tee shirt looked fresh and bright, but it did cut her proportions in an unfortunate way. The outfit on the right would have been more flattering, although it might require some deft accessorizing near her face to make the black not seem harsh.  There can be no question that the white tee shirt is easier to wear...

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Job interviews pretty much require a white shirt or blouse, for some industries, but once you have the job, consider getting another blouse to tone with the colors of your suit.  While many of us couldn't wear this shade of beige successfully, the ideal holds true for suits in any color.

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 The outfit on the left is perfectly lovely, and with the right scarf or jewelry could be beautiful.  But the outfit on the right flows visually more easily, and gives you a bit less of a sense of being chopped at the waist.

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 The general idea even holds true  for printed and patterned garments - a darker background that is close in color to your shorts, pants or skirt is worth considering.

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Although this doesn't explain to us how to make these tops cooler in hot weather, or more flattering to our complexions...