The Best Shirts To Invest In Now And Wear Forever
The ultimate closet essential? It has to be a button-down shirt. From work to weekend, this hardworking staple is as dependable as it is versatile, says GEORGIE LUCAS
Fashion editors often wax lyrical about ‘effortless’ pieces, made to create looks that deliver instant chic with seemingly minimal input. The key to this kind of ease in dressing is investing in timeless, well-cut pieces that you can mix and match to strike that elusive, ‘artfully undone’ balance. It is no coincidence, then, that a well-curated selection of crisp shirts is something you are guaranteed to find in most fashion insiders’ closets. The much-loved button-down silhouette pairs perfectly with tailoring, elevates denim and will take you from chilly winters (layered with a knit and jacket) through to breezy summers (worn unbuttoned and untucked over a mini skirt, linen pants or just a bathing suit). The best styles follow classic codes, with a sharp collar and crisp cuffs, worn slightly oversized – shoulder seams sitting slightly off the shoulder, with a hem that hits just below the hip. Bonus points for subtle details that add a little something extra, such as side splits or an open back.
Look to the brands that excel at elevated basics, and you can’t go wrong. Ami Paris is an excellent place to start – its oversized, on-trend yellow shirt is cut in lightweight wool and, from the front, appears to be a classic silhouette; but turn around and you’ll reveal an elegant split-opening and buckled detail. Toteme, too, deals in pared-back elegance, as its organic cotton baby-pink shirt illustrates; it’s the perfect flash of color for an otherwise neutral palette. As the oldest shirtmaker in the world, it’s no surprise that Charvet’s designs are always immaculately cut. In neat mid-blue stripes with a sleek curved hem, this design delivers crisp boardroom chic and will elevate everything it’s paired with. Marni’s gray wool design has a similar refined appeal, with a sharply cut collar and white tipped cuffs.
Every wardrobe needs a white shirt, but, as Bettter’s oversized cotton-poplin design is testament to, not all white shirts are created equal – and its stylish version ticks all of our boxes – oversized cut, dropped shoulders, curved hem, supple cotton. Plus, founded by the former fashion director of Vogue Ukraine, the brand is rooted in an upcycling philosophy – this piece is crafted from deadstock fabric that would have been discarded, making it part of our NET SUSTAIN edit of more consciously crafted pieces.
Elsewhere, buzzy Italian brand The Attico reworks the lumberjack in soft checked flannel. The notched, asymmetric hem works as well with downtime denim for day as it does a mini skirt for cocktail hour. And talking of evening attire, McQueen’s striped silk-twill style will transition beautifully from the office to a dinner party or event – simply unbutton the exaggerated collar and swap your trusty flats for heels.