First, a bit of background on the white blouse. This item has been a staple of women's wardrobes since separates became popular. It has traveled oceans, ridden the Oregon trail, and been reinvented numerous times. And it's not just women's shirts - one of the most used sexy images is a woman in a man's button down.
Thankfully, today we have a myriad of styles, colors (who knew white, off-white, pearl, and cloud could look so different?) and price points to choose from, as well as a million and one ways to wear The White Blouse.
The Classic White Blouse
Traditionally, White Blouses have been button-downs, fit for the office or a GAP ad. I have a classic White Blouse on my list because it can be so versatile in a woman's wardrobe. Throw it on with a pair of jeans, and you have one of the most classic American styles. Wear it with a pencil skirt, and you're all business. Tie it at your waist and wear with a laidback skirt for that effortlessly cool preppy chic look. Or use it as a layer over a cami or summer dress. Or, as in one of my favorite red carpet moments, pull a Sharon Stone - take a man's classic White Blouse and wear it open just so far, tucked casually into a couture Vera Wang skirt.
These are just a few of the ways you can utilize your classic White Blouse. Once you start experimenting with what you can do other than the office look, you'll find your own way of dressing up or down your classic White Blouse.
Many brands make a good classic White Blouse, running the gamut from extremely fitted to relaxed and from cotton to linen to silk. I love linen/cotton and cotton/silk blends, as I feel they elevate the style and feel of a shirt. Of course, fabric choice is very personal, and will vary depending on how often and in what way you'll be wearing the shirt.
- Women without the time or inclination to iron may want to consider brands that make a no-iron shirt, typically made of cotton blends or cotton that has been treated.
- If you'll be wearing your classic White Blouse more casually, or live in a warmer climate, cotton and linen will be the best fabrics. They will tie more easily, and will tend to have a less dressy look than silk or silk/cotton blends.
- If you want to wear your classic White Blouse casually, but are looking for a slightly heavier material, oxford shirts can be a great option. They are a heavier, typically cotton shirt with a tight weave, and tend to look more casual on the whole. Think of monogramed school uniform shirts.
- If you're looking for that glamorous office look (or just want to really elevate a pair of jeans), a silk or cotton/silk blend may be right for you. The sheen of silk tends to look more polished, although cotton shirts can be made with such a sheen.
Where/What to Buy
If you don't already have a classic White Blouse, or are looking to update your closet, here's a few suggestions of where to get them. If you're looking for your classic, cotton or sateen, fitted button-down, there are countless options and price points (denoted by the number of asterisks, explained at the bottom).
A good place to start is at depatrment stores, but be careful of the fabrics - always check labels. Great for their basic fashions and partnerships with high fashion designers, Target (target.com) can provide the classic White Blouse, such as Merona's Poplin Shirt (97% cotton, 3% Spandex) in both long and short sleeve versions. Old Navy (oldnavy.com) also offers a Poplin-Stretch Dress Shirt at a great price in 100% cotton.
Now that Sears has a partnership with Lands End (landsend.com), you may be able to find items such as their Long Sleeve No Iron Pinpoint Blouse or their Regular Original 3/4-sleeve No Iron Pinpoint Split-neck Shirt, both 100% cotton and on the lower end of this price point, in stores.
GAP (gap.com), Banana Republic (bananarepublic.com) and J.Crew (jcrew.com) are carring numerous white shirts this season, but still continue to offer their basics, such as the White stretch fitted shirt (100% cotton) at GAP, the Non-iron fitted sateen shirt and Elbow-sleeve stretch shirt (97% cotton, 3% Spandex) at Banana Republic, and the Solid three-quarter sleeve stretch shirt and Slim stretch shirt (both a cotton/stretch blend) from J.Crew.
For oxfords, I would recommend going with brands such as Lands End and LLBean (llbean.com) - their dedication to classic American style means that they always offer this basic. LLBean carries a wrinkle-resistant version, the Wrinkle-resistant Pinpoint Oxford Shirt, Long-sleeve and Lands End carries one that has been softened, the Original Long Sleeve Washed Oxford Shirt. Both of these are 100% cotton, under $40.00, and are perfectly acceptable business casual or weekend wear.
Inspirations & Splurges
Then there are online stores that carry higher end versions, like shopbop.com. They carry Elizabeth and James' New Cohen Shirt(100% cotton) with a button back. Read: you can button it for a fitted look for the office, or unbutton it and go for a slightly slouchier look on the weekend. So while it's an investment, it really serves as two shirts in one. Banana Republic has their own version, the Cotton button-back shirt, which may be a more realistic option for most women. Shopbop also carries Theory's Ornetta Top (92% cotton, 8% viscose), a striped, short sleeved version of the classic White Blouse. Gap has their own version, a white boyfriend-fit shirt, that is currently only available in stores.
I also like NET-A-PORTER for their interesting and wide-ranging selection. One of my favorites for summer is Bottega Veneta's Sheer linen shirt, which would be great over a cami in the office, but could also do double duty on the weekends, or even triple duty at the beach. Another take on the classic White Blouse is Carven's Cotton-poplin bodysuit, which is just what it sounds like - a blouse turned onsie. While not practical for most, I can see where it would be a good idea.
