May 30, 2014

14 Effortless Ways To Look Cool In Your Work Shirt

by Nicole Akhtarzad Eshaghpour

Work shirts: we all have them, but how cool do you look in yours when you’re off duty? (Save answering that for after you read this.) With a little inspiration, you will see that a button-down shirt can be one of the most versatile pieces you own! Plus, a summer-friendly sleeveless shirt can give you the same effect, while keeping you a little cooler. Read on for fourteen ways to breathe some new life into your work shirt this summer and, of course, shop our picks for the best ones!

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Style Du Monde

1. Pussybow Blouse + Sheer Maxi + Sneakers
Take a fashion risk by pairing an otherwise dressy outfit with crisp white sneakers—we bet it will pay off.

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Stockholm Street Style

2. White Shirt + All Black
Let your white collar be the star of the show by wearing it with all black from head to toe!

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Stockholm Street Style

3. Tweed Jacket + Mini Skirt + Ladylike Accessories
Try an ultra-feminine look by wearing your shirt with a tweed jacket and mini skirt, and style with ladylike accessories, such as a pastel pink bag and pumps.

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Anedorah

4. Blazer + Blue Jeans + Sneakers
Wear your button-town shirt with a blazer, blue jeans, and sneakers for a business-meets-casual look.

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Seams For A Desire

5. Sleeves Rolled Up + Oversized Vest + Mini Skirt
Play with proportions and wear your shirt with a vest that grazes the hemline of your mini skirt.

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Style Du Monde

6. Denim on Denim + Pointy Flats
Compliment your denim duo perfectly with a crisp white shirt, and then tie the look together with structured flats.

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Style Du Monde

7. Extra Long Shirt + Leather Leggings + Colorful Bag
Wear your longest button-down shirt over a pair of leather (or leather-like) leggings and top it off with a colorful bag. Extra points if the shirt is printed!

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Style Du Monde

8. Off-The-Shoulder Shirt + Pencil Skirt + Mules
A little unbuttoning can go a long way when it comes to a work shirt. Try yours off one shoulder, tucked into your favorite pencil skirt.

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Style Du Monde

9. Buttoned Up Shirt + Strapless Dress + Moto Jacket
For a street style-inspired look, button your shirt up all the way and wear it under a strapless dress. Don’t forget the moto jacket!

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Style Du Monde

10. Overalls + Printed Pumps + Moto Jacket
Give your slouchy overalls a polished look by pairing them with printed pumps, a buttoned-up shirt, and a moto jacket.

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Style Du Monde

11. Untucked White Shirt + Navy Blazer + Cream Trousers
By simply leaving your shirt untucked, you can make an otherwise-preppy look seem laidback and weekend appropriate.

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Style Du Monde

12. Lace Shirt + Pencil Skirt + Statement Necklace
Wear your lace shirt over a pencil skirt (not tucked in) and add a statement necklace, for a put-together look that’s a little bit edgy too.

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Style Du Monde

13. Baggy-Fitting Shirt + Printed Midi Skirt
Choose a colored shirt and pair it with a printed skirt for a well-balanced ensemble.

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Gastro Chic

14. Metallic Shorts and Sunglasses + Printed Jacket + Black Belt
This must-copy look is made extra cool by the fact that the belt goes around the jacket. Go for a skinny black belt, and try to keep your look down to two colors when choosing everything else but the white shirt.

Now that you’ve seen what you can do with one, keep reading to shop our picks of perfect button-down shirts!