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How to choose and wear the Classic White Shirt

How to return to work in style

How to add glamour to your wardrobe

How to pack for a Summer holiday

How to tie a Small Square Scarf

How to choose and wear the Classic White Shirt

Most of us have a white shirt hanging in our wardrobe, and unless you’re in a corporate environment it probably doesn’t get worn as often as it should. With this article I want to help you rediscover the versatility of a classic white shirt.

Getting the right shirt for you

Don’t let a bad white shirt take up valuable wardrobe space - a great white shirt needs to:

• be fitted, but not tight in the body and arms so that your can still reach up and fold your arms
• have the shoulder seam sitting perfectly at the edge of your shoulder
• be long enough to cover your hip bones
• have well positioned bust darts, as these will enhance the fit and reduce gaping across your chest
• be a clear shade of white, with no trace of stains or yellowing
• be free of collar and cuff wear
• be freshly ironed

A simple but classic style is best so avoid those in linen, French cuff styles requiring cuff links, those with unusual collars, and cropped styles. An exception to the classic cut is the wrap shirt with a traditional collar, as this style shows off your waist and skims flatteringly over hips.

As well as having a great fitting shirt, if you don’t have a suitable untextured, neutral bra to wear under it, it’s still going to remain unworn in your wardrobe.

This is a great example of a high quality, beautifully fitting, classic white shirt:

	Country Road

Now, how to wear it ...

A white shirt will generally look best paired with firm fabrics such as denim, velvet, heavy cottons and wools, so keep this in mind when considering what you’ll wear on your bottom half. Your white shirt will always look most flattering in a fitted style with the collar opened up to reveal your upper chest area, and the bottom few buttons left unbutton.

Try these ideas with your existing wardrobe to bring out the versatility of your shirt:

Casual: simple and stylish over a white tank top with jeans, ballet flats and your favourite necklace; perfect for spring

Casual: over a camisole with white or dark denim shorts and embellished sandals for a summer barbeque

Smart casual: over a camisole, with dark wash straight leg/slight boot cut jeans, a textured or studded trouser belt and embellished sandals

Smart: under a fine merino vest, and with a luxurious skirt and knee-high heeled boots

Evening: paired with a skirt in a heavy luxurious fabric, statement jewellery, textured tights and black knee high heeled boots, or high heels

 

How to return to work in style

Returning to work can be stressful for those of us who’ve been out of the workforce for a number of years. Workplace fashion might have moved on a little since you last had to think about what to wear to the office. Keep your confidence high with a few well chosen, sophisticated pieces that mix and match, and layer up to create the versatile, confidence-inspiring looks you need to succeed.

Here are capsule pieces that will see you through autumn, winter, spring and into summer:

 

• Fitted wool dress
• Fine wool trousers
• Pencil skirt
• 2 blouses (I suggest black and a 'jewel' colour)
• 1 white shirt
• 3 layering tops (I suggest black, white and a 'jewel' colour)
• Beaded evening top (for day to night wear)
• 2 cardigans (I suggest black and a 'jewel' colour)
• A fitted jacket
• A medium heeled patent shoe similar to the style shown above for versitility through all seasons

 

Putting it all together:

	Pink cardigan with dress		Purple blouse with pencil skirt

 

	Black cardigan with blouse, skirt and belt		Skivvy dress and wool dress

 

	Skivvy dress and wool dress with beaded halter		Jacket with skirt and belt

All clothing items above are available from State of Grace, Winter 2009 collection.

 

 

How to add glamour to your wardrobe

Do you have a wardrobe of nice things but nothing glamorous? 

These beaded halters from State of Grace are a stylish and versatile way to bring glamour to your wardrobe. This is the kind of piece you can wear year after year, though all the seasons, and over many different outfits to make them evening or special event ready.  For example, after a day at the office you can throw it over your white shirt/black trouser combination, add high heels, some evening makeup, and you’re ready for a night on the town.

Examples of beaded halters, and few ideas of what you can wear them with, are shown below.

 

Gorgeous over a dress:

These are paired with a simple black turtleneck, and shown tied two different ways. 

This halter is tied two ways over a long sleeve mesh tee:

The beaded halters, dress, turtleneck and tee are all available at State of Grace

 

 

How to pack for a Summer holiday

I was recently asked what clothing would be suitable for a holiday in Britain in August (summer), involving bus tours, walking trips and casual evening events, and what to wear on the plane. So I thought I’d share my answer, with a few additional ideas, here......

Summers in Britain are unreliable so take a light-weight, belted water-proof jacket (trench coat style), attractive and wind breaking, in black, chocolate, or mid grey.  A light chiffon scarf would also be handy on a cool day, and could also double as a headscarf/headband or a belt.

Shoes

• A pair of sporty shoes, not necessarily sneakers. Kumfs and Hush Puppies do sporty versions that don’t require socks for walking trips, and will be comfortable on the plane, try to find them in a chocolate/beige/white combination or similar
• A pair of ballet flats (black or chocolate) for during the day and for evening events
• A pair of comfortable strappy sandals in black with embellishment and a small heel for nights out

Clothing

Choose 4 main colours for your summer capsule - I’ll use black, white, chocolate, and fresh green for this example - as they will give you a lot of possible combinations.

If you want to look stylish avoid:

Anything with a high waist or elastic waist
Above knee shorts/dresses/skirts unless your legs are toned
Sweatshirts and chunky knits
Pale denim
Chunky sneakers

Capsule example

• 7 fitted short-sleeve, v-neck tees, mostly plain, in black (chic for summer!), white, chocolate brown, green, and one with some kind of subtle embellishment or sparkle. The black and white tees at Max are my favourite.
• 2 singlet tops, for under wraps, on their own (if your arms are reasonably toned), or over the tees, one plain, one stripy. Metalicus is very good at these (or find Metalicus at Kimberleys).
• 1 or 2 satin-like camisoles, in black, chocolate or green that can be worn under a wrap or cardigan, or perhaps on their own for evening.
• 1 A-line skirt at the knee or just below, one plain (chocolate or green), or subtly patterned using the capsule colours (e.g. black and white), preferably resistant to crushing
• 1 denim pencil skirt in a dark wash, to the knee
• 1 or two v-neck sleeveless dresses in cotton jersey, that end at your knee, and are resistant to crushing (if you like dresses!) one plain, one subtly patterned (eg white + green)
• 1 pair of medium width, straight leg, medium/dark wash jeans with a bit of stretch in the fabric
• 2 pairs mid-weight shorts, fitted at your waist but not tight on your thighs, that end on your knee or just below (depending on your height), in medium/dark wash denim and chocolate brown
• Light white cotton cardigan (Taylor have a lovely cotton wrap)


• Light sheer wrap in black or chocolate for evening Vanilla Ink have these, and a guide to tying them)
• 1 fitted light wool or wool blend cardigan, that skims over your hips, for layering just in case of cool weather

	White cotton wrap, Taylor Visit taylorboutique.co.nz

Layer the t-shirts under and perhaps over the dresses (dress becomes a skirt) and mix with the jeans (in cooler weather or for evening), skirts, and shorts.

If your holiday includes significant time at the beach also pack:

• 3 swim suits, one black, one green, one subtly patterned (capsule colours).  If you choose a tankini style, the tops can do double duty with the shorts and skirts
• 2 sarongs in simple single or two colour prints, that can be worn as a halter neck top, dress or skirt, and double as a beach towel
• 1 kaftan - choose one in a plain white or green with a bit of sparkle that can also be dressed up for casual evening events
• 1 pair of flat sandals - have a look at the Briarwood ones on our Accessories page, they are comfortable and can also be worn for casual evening events
  

	Striped low round neck tank, Metalicus. Visit metalicus.com or try Kimberleys

Accessories

Pack lots of costume jewellery to go with your basic tops and dress up your night-time look. Try to find necklaces that sit within your neckline.

• Black jet-like bead necklaces
• Emerald green beads
• Black pearls: necklace and earrings
• A very large link silver (silver-look) necklace, and if they suit you, silver hoop earrings

Pack a smart leather belt or two you can wear over a cardigan/skirt combo, in jeans belt loops, and with the evening wrap, in chocolate brown or black patent.

Don’t forget a sunhat. One with a fabric bowl and a straw brim, in a chocolate colour would look smart and keep the sun off.

A mid sized bag like the Jackie hobo in chocolate brown, shown on our Accessories page, will be big enough for the plane and attractive and convenient for day trips.

Pack a smaller bag in satin to glam up your outfit for evening, with the strappy shoes.

For casual/smart evening events try:

Swapping beads for sparkle, swap out plain t-shirts and shorts.

• A-line skirt + camisole (or singlet) + sheer wrap + strappy shoes + satin bag
• Dress + sheer wrap + strappy shoes + satin bag
• Sparkly/embellished t-shirt + denim pencil skirt + strappy shoes +satin bag
• Jeans + camisole + ballet flats + satin bag

Finally, on the plane I would recommend wearing the smart sporty shoes, fine wool cardigan, a short sleeved t-shirt and straight-leg jeans.

 

 

How to tie a Small Square Scarf  (60x60cm)

The scarf used in this demonstration is 'Polka Dot' in black/ivory, the bag is a Melanie Brief tote, and both are by Oroton.

Extra Notes:

Silk scarves feel wonderful against your neck.  They can provide colour to a neutral look, unbulky warmth in winter, be a necklace alternative and add effortless chic to any look.  If silk is out of your budget, choose good quality silk/cotton or polyester blends.

To start with always lay the scarf best-side-down on a clean, flat surface

Note where the care tag is (unless it has been removed) and make the initial triangle fold with this corner

Note the washing instructions on your scarf.  If yours is silk, washing by hand may distort the shape and change its sheen

 

Use your mouse to rollover the step numbers and change the images

Narrow neck tie Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Step 6 Step 7 Step 8
Side narrow neck tie Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Step 6 Step 7 Step 8 Step 9
Low narrow neck tie Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Step 6 Step 7 Step 8
Wide neck tie Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Step 6 Step 7 Step 8
Wide side neck tie Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Step 6 Step 7 Step 8 Step 9
Collar tie Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Step 6 Step 7 Step 8 Step 9
Bandana Tie Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Step 6 Step 7 Step 8
Ascot tie Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Step 6 Step 7 Step 8 Step 9
Bag knot Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Step 6 Step 7 Step 8 Step 9
Bag bow Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Step 6 Step 7