BlogHer - white shirt - Comments

don't wait too long!

Susan Wagner — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 20:43:06 -0500

Last year the Design Edition pieces sold out almost immediately, and even now some of the shirts are only available online in a small range of sizes.

These are NOT pieces that will make it to the six week markdown.

There are a couple of strategies for the white shirt: be discerning about what you buy (opt for VERY good quality rather than than a cheap alternative) and make sure the fit is perfect, even if that means tailoring. And then make it work for you -- if you never tuck anything else, wear your white shirt untucked; if you're not a button-down kind of girl, look for a sharp white tunic or popover instead. Don't force it; the perfect white shirt is the one that is perfect for YOU, not some ideal of perfection.

One thing I really liked about the Phillip Lim shirts is that they are a substantial cotton, heavy enough NOT to be see-through or to require a layer, which is always nice. And no, they're not really for hanging out in the hot midday sun, but that's what a great white tee or tank is for, right?

Right.

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the white shirt

chalkhome — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 08:38:50 -0500

I also have mixed feelings about THE white shirt. I do own a few, being thin I freeze in them w/o an undershirt so I only wear them in the heat of summer. The color and fabric is good protection from the blazing rays that burn yet are a light layer. They usually don't fit well on my frame [long and lean] so I roll up the sleeves, belt or let it hang out, and wear w/ a fem skirt or jeans. I like too mix ruffles and straight lines or high and low. Sandie look for images of Caroline Herrera she wears her staple ! white shirts for evening w floor legnth skirts. Oh and the GAP showcasing the designers? just wonderful,wait till the end of the season and get these collector pieces at their deep sales.

I feel like white blouses

debawriter — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 13:04:18 -0500

I feel like white blouses look sloppy on me...they always bunch up and wrinkle and I look slobbish.

Is it just me? Or are there tricks to avoid this dilemma?

That said, I found that Brooks Brothers has a cotton blend they use in their white shirts, which keeps the shirt's shape and fights wrinkles. Strangely enough, I found this out at my local Goodwill. My local GW is in an upscale part of town and attracts the cast-offs of the rich and fabulous, so I shop there often. Awhile back, I found a well-tailored Brooks Brothers modified tuxedo like white blouse, which is fab. And it was $3.99.

I love wearing it with cowboy boots to take the Brooks Brothers edge off.

But meanwhile, IS there a trick to avoid the white blouse sloppy look?

Debbie

http://sandiegomomma.com

Personal shopper?

Angella — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 21:54:51 -0500

You are my style inspiration. Are you coming to SF in July? If so, can you hold my hand and show me what to wear?

I NEED HELP.

Great tips -

Robin Ogden — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 23:19:12 -0600

Thanks for the good tips on button downs. I too have had similar problems and mostly shy away from them. BTW - love the Ann Taylor criss-cross shirt - very sharp look.

Also want to add that having a 'real' bra fitting was one of the best things I ever did for myself, so I highly recommend it. Nordstrom's is a great place (if you have one near). First class service.

Thanks again -

Robin Ogden
http://www.firedupcareers.com
http://www.careeradvicetalk.com

Deb, think about a white shirt with texture

Susan Wagner — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 11:24:45 -0600

which can be less stark than a plain white shirt. Another good alternative is a striped shirt, something with a white background but some color. Or choose a color that goes with a variety of things in your closet and make THAT your basic neutral shirt -- the white shirt, but in blue or gray or pink.

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On sale for $25

Alanna Kellogg — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 11:20:47 -0600

... too, is the first Ann Taylor shirt which has the added benefit of being designed to be worn outside slacks/skirt/whatever.

I have a closetful of white shirts but love the ideas for new shapes.

Alanna Kellogg, A Veggie Venture

Keep talking, Susan..

debra roby — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 09:36:02 -0600

White is not my color (too stark) and button-downs never were my style.. but if you keep talking I think eventually you will get me to at least consider trying on a white long sleeved shirt. Like either of those Ann Taylor styles.

How's that for hedging my bets??

Debra
A Stitch In Time
Deb's Daily Distractions

Great Advice

IAAdmin — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 07:02:16 -0600

Thanks for the great advice; I also have a hard fitting figure. The Ann Taylor shirt look perfect.

Lisa
Iowa Avenue

If you search around online

sassymonkey — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 13:51:51 -0500

You can find ones that actually hang from the shower rod. I've seen some stackable ones that dry a couple of sweaters at a time too.

And yes, they dry faster. I find they smell fresher too.

Sassymonkey and Sassymonkey Reads.

Ooooh sweater dryer . . .

Susan Wagner — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 13:32:34 -0500

That sweater dryer is FANTASTIC! I need one of those.

I'm willing to bet that your sweaters dry faster when you lay them on that than they do when they're laid out on a towel, too.

Thank you!

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Soak & Sweater Dryers

sassymonkey — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 13:10:14 -0500

I use a product called Soak for all of my delicates and wools now (got some for free after spending a small fortune on bras as a small boutique and got hooked on it) but before that I used to use baby shampoo.

Living someplace where we hit -40C a couple of times a year wool sweaters are important. I love my sweater dryer - similiar to this one. While I admit that it does seem a bit silly to have something for this purpose alone my last apartment was so small that I really didn't have any surface area to lie a sweater out flat (especially one where my cat could not lie on it). I used to extend this one across the tub and presto! I had a sweater drying surface.

Sassymonkey and Sassymonkey Reads.

yes, baby shampoo! really!

Susan Wagner — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 12:57:54 -0500

I am entirely serious about the baby shampoo for washing cashmere. Dry cleaning is actually VERY bad for cashmere fibers; the chemicals dry them out and make them more prone to breaking, which shortens the life of the garment AND makes it less soft and cozy.

I use the same Johnson and Johnson shampoo that I use on my children (the "no more tears" formula, which has the fewest surfactants). To wash one medium size sweater, I fill my kitchen sink about half way with cold water (clean the sink out THOROUGHLY first, of course) and add about a tablespoon of shampoo. Very gently squeeze the soapy water through the sweater and let it sit for about three minutes (I use an egg timer because I am easily distracted). Rinse until the water runs clear and gently squeeze out the excess (do NOT wring). Lay the sweater flat on a clean towel and roll the towel up to absorb more water; lay flat on ANOTHER clean towel to dry. Don't hang, as that will stretch the sweater.

I usually put mine on top of the dryer, on a towel; the heat from the dryer speeds the drying a bit. It doesn't take all that much time.

Also! One more tip! To prevent pilling, wash cashmere BEFORE wearing it. Seriously--bring it home from the store, wash it, and THEN wear it. This is especially important for lower end cashmere sweaters, which are more prone to pilling than their more expensive counterparts.

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Fantastic list

shoegal302 — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 12:30:33 -0500

Great collection of wardrobe basics; I especially love the red trench.

One question though, baby shampoo for cleaning cashmere? Not that I'm doubting your advice, I've just never heard of such a thing. How much shampoo do you use, and should it line dry afterwards? I don't wear cashmere often because I don't like to get things dry-cleaned, so I would adore more specifics on this.