I can't wear plain white shirts anymore

[Thomas]

Finally broke down and started to buy white shirts again, after getting every blue/lilac variation I could find over the last few years. I'm up to two now but can't pull the trigger on wearing them yet. Maybe if I line up a few interviews that will change.

Actually, I do still wear my old Polo oxfords with jeans and a jacket on Fridays. Maybe that counts.

 

[thinman]

For years, I wore ecru, but didn't even own a white shirt. I've recently begun wearing white again. I now own 2 spread collar white shirts, with surface interest, and several white OCBDs.

 

[Get Smart]

I'd only been wearing gingham, stripes, or checks for the past 5+ years so this year is the first that I started to have some white shirts made and will wear those this fall more than my non-whites. There's something classic and just right about a perfect white shirt

 

[Manton]

Cream is often a nice substitute for white, and with some tones it's superior.

 

[odoreater]

I feel the same way as manton and Get Smart. After a long period of wearing colored and patterned shirts, I've come full circle back to often reaching for thew white shirt. There's something very powerful and compelling about a nice white shirt that just can't be matched with any other color, and especially not with patterns. I think it depends on the image you want to portray. If you want to portray the image of a strong, dependable, and serious man - you can't beat white.

 

[thinman]

Originally Posted by odoreater

I feel the same way as manton and Get Smart. After a long period of wearing colored and patterned shirts, I've come full circle back to often reaching for thew white shirt. There's something very powerful and compelling about a nice white shirt that just can't be matched with any other color, and especially not with patterns. I think it depends on the image you want to portray. If you want to portray the image of a strong, dependable, and serious man - you can't beat white.

True, but I still find that I wear colored (mainly blues, but also pink) and patterned shirts much more often than white, ecru, etc.

 

[heavyd]

Great topic. I too am returning to white. Crisp, quality, no beating it (for now).

 

[itsstillmatt]

Originally Posted by odoreater

I feel the same way as manton and Get Smart. After a long period of wearing colored and patterned shirts, I've come full circle back to often reaching for thew white shirt. There's something very powerful and compelling about a nice white shirt that just can't be matched with any other color, and especially not with patterns. I think it depends on the image you want to portray. If you want to portray the image of a strong, dependable, and serious man - you can't beat white.
As I said earlier, I have started returning to white as well. I should clarify by saying I have started buying white shirts but have not started wearing them yet.

 

[Tck13]

Originally Posted by EL72

I have a few nice ones but every time I reach for one in the closet, it seems there is always a better option like pale blue, pink, even cream, or often white with a pattern in another color. Except for quasi-black tie evening events like weddings, I just can't bring myself to wear plain white shirts anymore. Too boring, too stark a contrast... They make me think of black suits.

Who wears plain white shirts?


What's your complexion like? Maybe your unconscious is trying to tell you something? Dark hair, light skin? Blonde hair, blue eyes? Skin tone?

Usually, unconsciously we pick what is the best color for us. Maybe pure white is really a bad color for you?

 

[Carey]

White is right!

There are times when I am meeting with customers, especially at a dinner where a suit is appropriate attire, I think a white shirt is the proper choice. Pattern or plain not less than 110s cotton, the shirt is white with low starch.

I like patterns and colors, but usually Monday is always a white shirt, if I am meeting customers. I think of the white shirt as showing proper respect. As the week wears on, I relax a bit and move towards colors and patterns. But dinner after six with a suit and tie - always a white shirt.

 

[Leaveitothexperts]

Originally Posted by GQgeek

Are black suits next?

 

[Parker]

Originally Posted by GQgeek

There's nothing better than a crisp white shirt in 200/2. Nothing looks better sans-tie.

I hardly ever wear a tie and dont have to suit up for work, but I often wear a blazer or suit for going out or when I just feel like looking fine. I concur with GQg, the white shirt san-tie is hard to beat for informal elegance. Kind of like that Cary Grant photo (if only I looked more like Cary Grant).

But, for day-to-day, I'm with GetSmart: lots of ginghams and stripes.

 

[lakewolf]

please don't tell me now that [Your Color Here] is the new white !

 

[whoopee]

The white shirt has always been my favourite. I also love pink, then lavender, than light blue, but I really prefer shirts with a white base. The clean simplicity I find very desirable, especially when worn with more dramatically detailed and/or cut pieces. Plus, it works wonders with my complexion.

 

[epa]

Your are convincing me... White will be my new non-white.
I have a doubt though: I have dark hair (turning grey, though) and green eyes, but I am very pale. Are white shirts OK for pale skin?
Maybe it depends on whether they are combined with a dark jacket/tie, or with a jacket/tie with strong colours?
I think so, but I am not really sure.
What about other colours? Black? Brown?
(Yellow and cream shirts are definitely wrong for me, I think.)
Are there any "rules" about the choice of colours in view of skin tone?