The Versatile Shirt

In the lexicon of iconic fashion, the woman’s dress shirt epitomizes effortless classic styling. Timeless and versatile, button-downs, blouses, tunics, and other styles could always be relied upon for instant “put-togetherness” at the office, a night out, running errands, or a casual social gathering. The dress shirt has been patronized by style icons in women’s fashion since its inception, making it a wardrobe staple with wide application no modern woman should be without.

However, the dependable look can feel monotonous over time. To combat the uniform vibe traditional shirts give off, Spring 2016 brings unique updates to the basic shirt and a spate of fresh ideas to shirt-wearing, further securing the garment’s indispensability in the world of fashion and the modern woman’s closet.

For the Spring-Summer 2016 season, designers experimented with different cuts and materials. From simply casual to elegantly stately, Spring welcomes sleek lines and simple silhouettes when it came to modernizing the woman’s shirt. Expressions of modernity materialized at Zac Posen, with the exposed deconstructed button-up shirt that revealed a single shoulder. A similar mod-chic vibe was seen at Boss, which featured a light and floaty number with translucent, gossamer sleeves. Spotted at Fendi were airy blouses with puffy, ballooned sleeves that conjured romantic imagery from the Renaissance period. Tunic shirts and shirt dresses were also part of the mix, as seen in the crisp, freshly minted line up at Michael Kors.

Aside from exploring new ways to reinvent the shirt, Spring also brings forth a myriad of creative, off-runway ideas to accoutre oneself in the mainstream repertoire of shirts at home. For instance, a skinny scarf matched with a button-down silhouette instantly elevates an otherwise prosaic ensemble. Throw in colorful, bold accessories such as a bandanas or stacked jewelry and suddenly the everyday shirt takes on a new persona.

Another way to gain extra mileage on staple shirts is through layering. Worn over or under other garments, such as a dress, vest, or sash gives texture and depth to an outfit and makes for a creative transition from winter to spring and summer.

Perhaps one of the simplest ways to create an eye-catching, mod look is to unbutton the first three to four buttons and pull the shirt backward until it slips off the shoulders. Turn up the collar to create the kind of top that can go well with jeans during the daytime or a sequined skirt at night…and the results would be effortless either way.