Elegant, Timeless and Versatile: How This "Boring" Basic Became a Capsule-Wardrobe Staple

Few pieces are as timeless as the white shirt. Understated and versatile, it presents a blank canvas for endless outfits. As we enter the warmer months, it's time for this staple to really shine. Already, we're seeing influencers and celebs tossing a white shirt on with jeans, denim skirts and tailored trousers—the resulting looks always feel effortless. So, it's time to grab that neglected white shirt from the back of your wardrobe, or invest in a fresh, high-quality iteration, and unlock this underrated item's potential.

As always, we've enlisted the help of some of Instagram's best dressers to guide how you wear your white shirt. Minimalists will be pleased to see a handful of streamlined, unfussy outfits in the following list, but there are also some enviable examples of out-of-the-box styling. Each look features a basic white shirt, and each is easy to recreate for the season ahead using pieces you already own. Cue the best white shirt outfits of spring 2024...

1. White Shirt + Tailored Trousers + Ballet Flats

White shirt outfits: @anoukyve wears a white shirt and grey trousers

(Image credit: @anoukyve)

Style Notes: Tailoring and shirting might be a traditional match, but there are easy ways to make the combination feel contemporary. Take note from Anouk and add a playful pair of ballet flats to dress the look down and give it a 2024 spin.

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2. White Shirt + Denim Skirt + Strappy Sandals

White shirt outfits: @_livmadeline

(Image credit: @_livmadeline)

Style Notes: Prepare to see denim midi skirts everywhere you look this spring and summer. Unsure how to wear yours? White linen and denim is a tried-and-tested pairing for warmer weather—if it ain't broke...

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3. White Shirt + Baggy Jeans + Mesh Flats

White shirt outfits: @sarahlouiseblythe wears a white shirt and baggy jeans

(Image credit: @sarahlouiseblythe)

Style Notes: Sarah Louise delivers a masterclass in making a white shirt look cool, not preppy, with her effortless tank-and-jeans ensemble. The mesh flats tick a huge trend box, bringing the entire outfit up to date.

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4. White Shirt + Maxi Skirt + Colour-Pop Bag

white shirt outfits: @modestmira_ wears a white shirt and maxi skirt

(Image credit: @modestmira_)

Style Notes: Lean into the relaxed silhouette of your white button-down by teaming it with a long, voluminous skirt. By opting for an all-cotton outfit, Amira keeps things light and breathable to acocmodate balmier climes.

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5. White Shirt + White Jeans

white shirt outfits: @ @sylviemus_ wears a white shirt with black trousers

(Image credit: @sylviemus_)

Style Notes: I just love how a crisp white shirt looks with white jeans. Make like Sylvie and layer a neutral knit over your shoulders while it's still cold out, before adding a tote and sunnies.

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Freelance Fashion Editor

Bébhinn Campbell is an Edinburgh-based fashion and lifestyle writer and editor. She started her first blog at age 14 and went on to intern at print and digital publications in Berlin and London, including Dazed & Confused and Indie magazine.

A job at a fashion startup took Bébhinn from Ireland to Scotland in 2019, where she now works as a freelance journalist and copywriter covering everything from travel and interiors to styling advice. As a contributor to Who What Wear, Bébhinn always keeps her eyes peeled for emerging trends and looks worth writing about. She prides herself on her ability to cut through the noise and identify solid investment buys, exciting new brands and fresh takes on classic design.

In her spare time, Bébhinn enjoys perusing Edinburgh’s best vintage shops, working through her out-of-control book collection and watching dog reels on Instagram.