Jacket – J. Crew via ebay (similar) | Blouse – Gap (similar) | Jeans – The Limited (similar) | Boots – DSW (similar) | Necklace – NYC (similar)
Another casual-ish outfit for you today since I’m still off work and traveling home from visiting friends. However, I had two great reasons to take photos for today. The first, it’s Inspiration Monday and Two Birds was extoling the virtues of dressing up a plain white shirt with this inspiration photo.
I bought this shirt over a year ago from the Gap. Originally it was ridiculously overpriced for a polyester white blouse with a little bit of shoulder detail, but it turns out I’ve worn it so often that even if I had paid full price for it (I didn’t) I would have definitely gotten my monies worth. Which is why I also chose to feature it today as part of the 5 Days, 5 Ways link-up with Franish and Along the Lines of Style since today’s topic is “Tops”.
As you can see, this blouse works with almost everything in my closet and across all seasons. A white shirt that can be dressed up or down and can be worn untucked or tucked in turned out to be a major work horse in my wardrobe.
Want one of your own? Here are a few options that I think would work.
I just splurged on a white Oxford from J Crew for this exact reason. It will go with everything, work all year & (assuming I care for it properly) last forever because it will never look dated.
Gotta love those simple, classic, basics.
Exactly! A well-fitting white Oxford can be worn so many ways and for so many years that it’s a great thing to spend the money on.
I do need a new white shirt!
All I can think about is that pink skirt, though.
Safe travels!
Hope you had a great time 
I also need a white shirt! I always see things like this in the store and think, “Meh, I don’t really need it. It’s not THAT exciting.” [Not that I buy exciting things either!] But apparently, I’m missing out on a super versatile piece. I was surprised how many different ensembles it made an appearance in!
Yes! It’s a great base layer.
Are you starting a list so that when you’re out you can look for those things and not get distracted by other stuff?
Nah. I don’t need to get anything, truthfully. So I shouldn’t even go shopping
Basics like this are the best! I agree it’s hard to spend money on them but I’m with you on getting your money’s worth.
Ginny
mynewfavoriteoutfit.blogspot.com
Several people I know say that before they buy something they think about how many outfits they can wear it with using things they already have. If they can think of at least three then they know it’s a good piece to buy. Obviously this one was worth it!
I need a perfect white shirt!
It would go nicely with all of your black
Hi Erin, loved your look and the white t-shirt looks. I’m going to check the 5d5w challenge, it looks great and it’s the only way I get motivated to photograph some outfits
This challenge has been a lot of fun! It’s great to go back through what I’ve worn over the past year and see all the different outfits.
it really is the perfect shirt…tucked in, layered, any way you wear it, it looks great!
Thanks!
Wow, what a versatile piece! Gotta love something you can wear all the time with anything. Hooray basics!
Totally!
Also, I do believe this is the shortest comment you’ve ever written
Bahahaha fact. I am not known for my ability to be concise in writing
I never was a white shirt person before and I got one from Lands’ End online for a ridiculously cheap price ($3.50, I think) and wear it all the time! It is amazingly versatile!
Nice!
That does look like the perfect white top, love all the ways you’ve worn it! And that jacket is what caught my attention! So pretty, I love it!
-Jessi
haircutandgeneralattitude.blogspot.com
I had been drooling over this jacket for months! I finally broke down and bought one via ebay. Still paid more for it than I would have liked, but since I couldn’t stop thinking about it I figure it’s worth it.
nothing better than a great white shirt
brett
Exactly!
Great outfits! My favorite is with the green pants and striped blazer. I did my 5 ways with a white lace top, because a white top is just super versatile!
You have the short sleeved lace top from The Limited! I’ve been eying that one! I bought a three-quarter length lace top from there but don’t love it as much as I thought I would. I’ll have to see if they still have the short sleeved version and grab it the next time it’s on sale.
Love these looks- especially the boyfriend cardigan with the pink skirt- so cute! Every gal needs a nice classic white shirt in their closet! (My problem is that stains are instantly attracted to it…wa waaa!)
Valerie
http://www.the-style-files.com
Admittedly, I have been known to spot clean my whites or just keep wearing them if the spot isn’t too obvious (i.e. not smack dab in the front).
Great top! I need to get a versatile white top like that. It makes for such a great blank canvas to wear a million different ways
You’re exactly right that it’s like a blank canvas!
It’s crazy trying to find the perfect white shirt but it does look like you found yours! I think when you do find the perfect something and you know you’re going to run into into the ground wearing it, it’s worth whatever price tag as oppose to settling for something that “eh” and on sale.
I love how you wore your white shirt this time around, it looks so stylish with the tweedy jacket and tall boots! (And it actually looks really cute with every other outfit, but I LOVE this outfit.)
I kind of want to wear this jacket every day now. It’s so cute, right?
I love how a simple white shirt can look so different depending on the outfit! You did a great job here! I love it!
Thanks! This shirt is kind of like a chameleon.
I love the style of this shirt with that pink pencil skirt! So chic!
That is one of my favorites, too!
The perfect white shirt is surprisingly hard to find! I’ve got ones that are too sheer, don’t layer right, bunch in the wrong places, and wrinkle too much (because I don’t enjoy ironing). But the perfect white shirt is so incredibly versatile once found! I absolutely love that pink skirt…
This one is actually quite sheer so I have to wear a camisole underneath. But I’m okay with that.
Loving this!!! I love the J Crew blazer too!
I just couldn’t get that jacket out of my mind and broke down and bought one via ebay. And now I want to wear it all the time.
the perfect white shirt is on my “find” list for next month! I think it is so versatile, as you’ve demonstrated here. Thank you so much for joining us!
I hope you find a great one!
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