Ten Ways to Style a White Shirt

Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for The Goods by Vox. You can also see what we’re up to by signing up here.

I’d argue that nothing is easier to wear than a white button-down shirt. Classic, versatile, simple, fitted, oversized, buttoned to the neck or wrapped around the waist, paired with vintage jeans or a Gucci skirt — there’s really no wrong way to work the staple into your wardrobe. For kicks, we picked two that are under $100 and styled them in ten different ways.

---

Tuck it into a formal skirt — belt optional — for a weekday that ends in dinner or drinks.

& Other Stories shirt ($85), Topshop skirt ($100), Aquazzura shoes ($565), Iro belt ($160).

Want to embrace the seemingly-here-to-stay crop top trend without spending every morning at Pilates? Throw your blouse underneath.

& Other Stories shirt ($85), & Other Stories leather top ($145), Won Hundred jeans ($225), Fallon necklace ($310), Dear Frances shoes ($550).

Twisted and tied, a styling move as classic as the shirt itself.

& Other Stories shirt ($85), Zara skirt ($39.90), Fallon earrings ($175).

Turn your favorite party dress work-appropriate by pulling it over a starched top.

& Other Stories shirt ($85), Topshop dress ($110), Aquazzura shoes ($750).

Done investing in off-the-shoulder tops? Or didn’t fall for the trend in the first place? Good for you. Give it a go with something you already having in your closet: A white shirt.

Brooks Brothers shirt ($98), Tibi pants ($1,195), Dear Frances shoes ($550).

Grab something leather — vest, jacket, pants — to toughen up the preppy staple.

& Other Stories shirt ($85), Iro leather vest ($1,275), Acne skirt ($420), Colette Malouf choker ($168).

No but really, you can layer anything on top.

Brooks Brothers shirt ($98), & Other Stories pants ($85), Rosetta Getty top ($880).

Pair it with the only thing as classic as the shirt itself: jeans.

& Other Stories shirt ($85), Current/Elliott jeans ($238), Sigerson Morrison boots ($795), Rockins scarf ($195).

You’ll need an oversized shirt for this version, but instead of buttoning up the front, just wrap it around and tie the ends in a knot in the back.

Brooks Brothers shirt ($98), Won Hundred skirt ($270).

If you’ve made it this far and are feeling really advanced, try taking off an arm for a big night out. (An arm of the shirt, obviously.) Shift the whole thing to one side with the extra arm pulling down against your back, and wrap it around your waist. Ta-da!

Protagonist shirt ($440), Wilfred pants ($145), Sigerson Morrison shoes ($450).

Visuals director: Brenda Milis. Producer: Caitlin Brown. Director of photography: Sigurd Widenfalk. Assistant to DP: Mark Sherman. Editor: Alex Yakacki. Motion designer: Dee Mackey. Stylist: Connie Berg. Assistant stylist: Sophie Vigile. Makeup artist: Rika Shimada. Grip: Anthony Leslie.