The Style Files: Don’t mess with the classics!

Crisp, androgynous silhouettes, soft cotton, fluid jersey and classic tailoring with a military twist define the spirit of autumn/winter 2014. Your go-to piece to to reflect that spirit? The simple white shirt. It has the ability to imbue its wearer with the elegant Parisian aesthetic or with a laid-back Californian style, depending on how it’s put together. It is the modern essential and sleek piece for the contemporary wardrobe. In a closet full of season-specific trends, the white shirt is the great equalizer, the bottom line, the very definition of a wardrobe staple.

Image courtesy Avirate

A classic well fitting, white shirt can perfectly combine chic minimalism with an air of androgyny. The shirt should be carefully cut to balance relaxed with elegant and  it’s a piece that works as well for work or weekend. The double-pocket shirt  is a fashion-crowd favourite and firm front-row fixture, Avirate do a great one in white, paired with black skinny jeans and black pointed toe stilettos works beautifully.

Images courtesy MANGO

For a relaxed take on classic shirting, try the open-neck pyjama style. Dress down the style with tapered jeans and trainers, or take it upscale with a pencil skirt and heeled pumps. Paired easily with anything from boyfriend jeans to printed trousers or a ball skirt, the white shirt instantly adds a touch of cool masculinity.

The white shirt and jeans combo needs an entirely separate article devoted to the classic chic pairing. Often relegated to the day wear section of the wardrobe this insouciant pairing has made the day to night transition through modern silhouettes, jewels and sky scrapper stilettos. Dressed up or down it is the absolute essential for any wardrobe.