I love a button down shirt but I never used to.  I used to think I couldn’t wear them due to my large bust – no one needs to see a gaping peephole to my cleavage and shirts are not supposed to do that.  It is only with age (and thus experience of wearing clothes, getting it wrong, and then finally getting it right), that I’ve come to realise the shirt is a wardrobe staple.

BUT you need to go for high quality and part with the cash to get it – plus it will last you years which is a more sustainable option.  A well made shirt is such a versatile item, that will take you through the entire year, think of it as a blank canvas on which to add paint; what you team it with can completely change your look and its appeal.

Five different ways I wear mine…

The Shirt

I was kindly sent the GANT Diamond G The Pinpoint Oxford Shirt, £80 in pastel pink.  It is also available in capri blue and white.  GANT have a rich shirt making heritage, having been the original shirtmakers since 1949. It is sewn with more stitches per inch which in simple terms, makes the cotton feel thin and light yet crisp, while ensuring it hangs well when worn – certainly no gape-age here.

Work to Play

My favourite way to wear this button down shirt is with jeans and a blazer.  It presents a tailored, smart look that is ideal for the office but, because of the playful colour, and the added details of the floral print blazer and metallic boots – the overall feel of this outfit is less formal overall.  You wouldn’t look out of place on an evening out in this either.

Every Day Casual

Make a tailored shirt look more casual by teaming it with step jeans and sandals.  You could wear it buttoned like I have or wear it open like a jacket over a cami. Pull up the sleeves and undo the collar buttons to up the informal vibe and personalise it with collar tips or pin badges.

Transitional Weather

Wear your shirt as a jacket, sleeves down or cuffed by simply leaving it open over the top of your outfit.  I love wearing mine over a summer dress to layer up in unpredictable early spring weather.  Ballet pumps finish the look for springtime.

Parisian Chic

This look reminds me of the beauties walking the streets of Paris in the warmer months.  Btw, have you watched Emily in Paris yet?

Tailored shirts knotted at the waist to show tanned tums (not in my case, buy y’know), vintage midi pleated skirts and straw hats.  This is a great look for the summer.  Team with ankle boots or courts on cooler days and mules or wedges when the sun has got his hat on.

You could tuck in a cosy cardi for autumn/ winter.

I Mean Business

Team your button down with a pencil skirt and belt it at the waist if you want to dress to pack a punch.  Seriously, this one makes you look like you mean business; chic and confident.  I’m wearing a skinny belt that I have twisted around so the detail is all at the front and the buckle sits at the back.  The silhouette is figure hugging so will give you curves if you don’t have any and celebrate them if you do.

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*Disclaimer: GANT kindly sent me my shirt free of charge but I was not commissioned to write about this or under any pressure to do so.  I chose to write this feature as I felt my readers would find it useful and all words, images and angles are my own.