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Friday, May 6, 2011

The Power of White Shirt

Every guy has, or should have (MUST HAVE!), at least one white button-up shirt in his closet. Assuming that this wardrobe staple is indeed hanging in your closet, it’s fair to say that it’s likely on heavy rotation. Despite wearing this classic frequently, it’s easy to fall into a style rut by continually pairing one of the most versatile pieces in your closet with other essentials like dress pants in neutral colors or denim. With the recession in full swing, however, now is the time to consider the extra mileage you can get out of your dependable dress shirt. To help you shop your closet and create new looks with a shirt you already own, I’ve put together a list of six suggestions that are affordable, on-trend and will instantly revive your wardrobe.

A Cardigan In An Unexpected Hue

Stray from black, gray and navy and sneak some color into your wardrobe with a cardigan in an attention-grabbing color like forest green, bright blue or a pastel during the warmer months. If you’re stylistically daring, consider shades like yellow as well, and remember that you can get away with brighter, more outrageous colors the darker your skin tone is.Alternatively, if you’re wary of brights, try out a universally flattering neutral shade men don’t often wear -- camel. Wear your cardigan of choice as you would a blazer -- because sweaters are a lot cheaper, you can buy them in a few different colors and you’ll always appear to have a new look.

A Striped Blazer

Break out of your usual style routine by donning a striped blazer. A knock-out choice, particularly in the summer, a striped blazer will lend a chic, nautical feel to your ensembles. Plus, though a patterned blazer is unexpected and will shake up your look, stripes are a fairly conservative pattern, especially when you paired with a white dress shirt, meaning you won’t have to relegate this blazer to after-hours duty only. For a blazer that will pair equally well with just about everything your typical navy or black blazer would, try this gray and white cotton model from Gap. For more laid-back days, consider swapping your striped blazer for a patterned hoodie to funk up your basic white dress shirt and achieve a casual-cool look.



Shorts

When you have a smart-casual occasion to dress up for in summer, well Malaysia is a hot country in fact, so try mixing your white dress shirt with shorts. It can be just as impressive as wearing dress pants, but it’s more eye-catching and you won’t feel as stuffy. Much like the cardigan, the major benefit of shorts is that they are inexpensive and can be paired with many other items in your closet. Make sure you seek out a tailored, unadorned pair, steering clear of anything with a pattern or a drawstring. These shorts from Theory are the perfect option as their hook and bar closure, angled side pockets, button-close rear pockets, and contemporary fit give them the same polished appeal you would expect from high-quality dress pants. Keep your outfit elegant by skipping the sneakers and pairing them instead with sleek leather sandals. (Or gladiators!! Argghh!! Cool gilaa!!^_^)





White Pants

A white dress shirt may be a basic, but when teamed with matching pants to create a head-to-toe white ensemble, it becomes incredibly refined. To get this look right, you want to find white pants in a lightweight material. Spend enough so that the fabric isn’t transparent and the cut is right for your body, but don’t splash out so much that you’ll ruin your fun if you spill a bit of tomato sauce or wine on yourself. An easy-to-clean cotton pants or maybe a pair of linen that feature clean lines and a modern fit with a hint of stretch fabric for comfort would help. For a swish night out, keep the all-white themes going by adding a white blazer to your outfit. During the day, brightly colored sunglasses give white a quirky-cool twist.





Bow Tie

A bow tie complementing your white shirt in casual clothing is a bold and trendy choice! Wear a classic black or dark blue bow tie, a white shirt, dark colored trousers (could even be jeans) and a stylish jacket or buttoned vest. Or go with a really fun and noticeable bow tie to wear with jeans and a cardigan thrown on. (Without cardigan pun boleh…^_^)



Blue Jeans

Blue jeans combined with a white shirt. It’s a classic outfit for guys, simple and stylish. Wear with leather shoes and a classic belt, shirt tucked in, when you’re going for a smart casual look. Match with sneakers and a casual belt – or go beltless – when you feel like dressing casual and comfortable.



When it comes to fashion, we’re so trained to desire something new that we forget what’s already at our disposal. I’ve listed six inexpensive ways you can breathe new life into a shirt that’s already in your closet, but many more abound. If you don’t have any of the items listed here, or you don’t have the cash to acquire them, try picking up cheap accessories from a discount store, such as a pair of pale sunglasses. Cuff your denim and don some high tops for a budget-conscious retro-cool, ‘50s throwback. Give it a little thought and you’ll soon realize that your closet is full of exciting, novel possibilities.

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