Why A White Shirt Is The Most Versatile Piece Of Clothing You Can Own

There is a reason why the late, great, Peter Lindbergh repeatedly returned to photographing women in a look that became synonymous with his work: the white shirt. Nothing spells timeless chic quite like a crisp button down – nor an artfully crumpled version, come to think of it. Calm, considered, concise, a white shirt is a wardrobe staple packed with quiet charm. In sartorial terms, it represents a certain air of confidence. What other item could equip you for a job interview, a glamorous party, a weekend coffee and a trip to the beach?

Each season, designers reinterpret the white shirt on the runways – often, never straying far from a classic silhouette. “You’re dressed. It’s about control, and power, in a way,” remarked Saint Laurent creative director Anthony Vaccarello of his spring/summer 2025 offering, where multiple looks were grounded with white shirts. Some were worn with the cuffs undone; peeping out beneath a suit sleeve. And testament to the versatility a white shirt can provide, Miu Miu instead approached it with blasé nonchalance: cropped styles with dainty lattice-edged collars were worn hurriedly (with scrunched hems and sleeves rolled), beneath track jackets and knits.

Though The Row was founded on the design of a white T-shirt – “the whole exercise was to see whether, if something was made beautifully, in great fabric, with good fit, it would sell without a logo or a name on it,” founders Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen previously told British Vogue – white shirts have long been a focal point of the brand. For pre-fall, they presented a collection centred around simplicity and texture which, naturally, featured a white shirt. The Olsens’ silhouette proposition for 2025? Dropped shoulders, billowing sleeves and an undone attitude. Take note.

As the above examples prove, it’s not only about the shirt you pick – be it cotton, linen or silk – it’s the way you wear it. Scroll on to see and shop the best white shirts the Vogue team wear for work and play.

Jump to: Which brands are best for women’s shirts? | How do you pick a good white shirt? | How do you style a white shirt for 2025?

Vogue’s pick of the best white shirts

• Best classic white shirt: The Row Sisilia Shirt In Cotton, £920
• Best oversized white shirt: Entire Studios Giant White Shirt, £235
• Best embroidered white shirt: Simone Rocha Floral Appliqué Shirt, £580
• Best alternative white shirt: McQueen Exaggerated Collar Shirt, £690
• Best satin white shirt: Dries Van Noten Reverse Shirt, £395
• Best evening white shirt: Toteme Organic Cotton Poplin Shirt, £230
• Best high-street pick: Cos Oversized Tailored Shirt, £65

FAQs

The first thing to say about buying the perfect white shirt is: don’t be confined to the women’s department. In our experience, men’s shirts can offer a more crisp, elevated look, thanks to their focus on classic silhouettes. On the high street, Uniqlo, Arket and Cos all have great options in both the men’s and women’s sections. At the upper end of the price spectrum are brands such as Frankie Shop (a go-to for looser fits), Sebline (great for a grandad collar), and Totême (silkier styles are the brand’s forte). In summary, there’s something for every style and budget.

There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to buying the perfect white shirt and everyone will have their own specifications. With surfeit of options out there, it’s all about working out what look you’re after: do you want a more relaxed, silken style? A borrowed-from-the-boys silhouette? Or just a classic cotton number?

Here at Vogue, we are big fans of the boxier, more generous style – one that fits loosely over the mid-section and skims over the hips (fitted shirts can feel outdated while oversized cuts can look too casual). British brand With Nothing Underneath has some great options in this department.

When chosen correctly, a white shirt can be one of the hardest working pieces in your wardrobe – the beauty of it is that it can be easily dressed down or elevated. For a casual spin, try an untucked, loose-fitting white shirt with a pair of jeans and sneakers, or for work, a black skirt (mini, midi, or maxi) and loafers. For the evening, a crisp white shirt will look truly decadent with black cigarette trousers and “look at me” jewellery, while a loosely-buttoned shirt worn with a full-length satin skirt is peak elegance.