The One Piece Our Fashion Editor Buys On Repeat
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My love of boyfriend shirts started when I was in my 20s in Ibiza. I spent the entire week in my boyfriend’s white loose linen shirt, casually flung over an array of bikinis and tucked into high-waisted denim shorts. I loved the easy and relaxed feel of an oversized shirt and as I got older, I adapted the look to give it more of an intentional feel. That meant mixing it into my everyday wardrobe with blazers, jeans and tailored trousers.
One of the first boyfriend shirts I bought was a thick blue and white striped one from Topshop Boutique. I saw it on a girl on the tube and asked her where it was from and then went straight to buy it. I absolutely loved it and since then, I’ve bought a million more! Recently, I bought a blue and white striped one from The Frankie Shop – and then ended up buying it in every colour.
A boyfriend shirt has a quiet chicness to it that makes any look feel polished and cool. They are low maintenance and very easy to style. They work for evenings out with leather trousers, killer heels and big earrings, or for off-duty weekends with joggers and trainers. Over the years, mine have really stood the test of time – proving just how versatile and timeless they can be.
Nothing compares to crisp cotton, but I do experiment with other fabrics sometimes. Silks and satins are a bit of a departure but they work really well on warm summer evenings. Linen is great to throw over a bikini on holiday with cool sunglasses and an oversized straw bag – so chic but so effortless.
When I started at SheerLuxe, I became known for my love of boyfriend shirts – I think I even wore one on my first day in the office. I wear mine with a layered roll-neck or vest top and masculine trousers. Then I add heels when I want to feel more pulled together. When I want to make more of a statement, I might wear one with my silver metallic trousers. It feels like a bit of a clash, but the result is laidback and cool.
I’m currently living in this red and white striped boyfriend shirt from With Nothing Underneath. I love the thick cotton blend – this brand is all about cool simplicity. Everything is inspired by men’s tailoring and British heritage, and you can really feel that ethos running through the beautifully made shirts. If you don’t already have one in your wardrobe, take this as your sign.
This season I’ll be wearing a crisp boyfriend shirt with a pair of tailored shorts and a blazer. A striped shirt will work well tucked in loosely to dark denim Bermuda shorts with chunky gold chains and big gold hoops. For a cool evening look, try styling a classic white boyfriend shirt with a silky slip skirt, barely-there sandals and a blazer slung over your shoulders – statement earrings are all you need to finish the look.
Here, Emma Shares Her Five Best Styling Tips…
- Look in the menswear department. Sometimes the options for women can be a bit limiting but the menswear department always has good striped shirts and it’s here you’ll find cool details like oversized cuffs and collars.
- Blazers and boyfriend shirts go hand in hand – there simply isn’t a better combination. Keep the silhouette loose for a more elevated feel.
- Don’t underestimate a classic white shirt. It’s probably one of the hardest working pieces in my wardrobe and I love to dress it up for the evening by mixing it with metallics and statement jewellery.
- Look for good quality 100% cotton shirts as they tend to wash better and last longer. If you want to go one step further, organic cotton is now widely available and obviously has a smaller impact on the environment.
- Wear your collar up and your cuffs oversized and rolled up – it’s a look that never goes out of style.
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