A Simple White Shirt aka the Whistles Freya Shirt

You can't beat a white shirt ... with a big stick (Avril's favourite saying).

Picture Credit : Thewhitewhiteshirt.tumblr.com

So she's just a teeny bit cool. An iddy biddy bit.

I think she has a point. Here's mine.

Whistles Freya Shirt (no longer online)

It's taken me a long time to get on board with this white shirt thing. White shirts are one of those things which appear on those lists along with a trench, little black dress, grey cashmere jumper etc etc - you know - the list of perennial classics. I knew I wanted one but I was in no hurry because I would have said they are actually quite challenging to wear outside of the work place. If you want a sort of formal white shirt/blouse for work, there are plenty to be found. But a good white casual shirt for a SAHM - they're a bit slim on the ground.

I thought I found "the one" last year in Zara. A relaxed fit and made in a kind of ramie type fabric which I thought would soften with a wash and wear - a bit like a linen shirt after you've worn it for a couple of hours and your body heat has relaxed the fibres and then it takes on that funny acceptable crumpledness. The fit was almost there ... almost. A couple of weeks later, I did what I always do when I'm not sure about something - I returned it. I contemplated the perfect white oxford shirt from Gap too. I love my blue version but I didn't get on with the white - it looked too officey. So that was a no go too. And any other ones I came across were either too detailed/stiff/formal/frilly or just not right. 

But roll on a year and guess what - I think I found the one. Okay, I know I found the one. I found the white Freya shirt from Whistles. It was one of those items which you flick past on the rail and you run your hand across it and you think "ooh Andrex puppy soft" and smile. Then you pull it out and you realise it's that cotton voile which you like so much. Then you take it to the changing room and you try it on and it all comes together and you just like what you see.

Anyway, I walked out of the shop without the shirt mainly because it wasn't the cheapest shirt on the high street and I needed to do my research. A Gap linen shirt was a potential but when I went back in to Whistles to try on the Freya shirt again, I just knew it was "the one". The shoulders just fitted, the cotton was so soft and the length was good. Yes it's rather sheer - but hey it's the summer - it will keep me cool (any excuse) and the pockets help with the modesty factor if sheer bothers you.

And the thing about this shirt is that I can style it .....

• Tomboy style in chinos. I swear I must have been a bloke in a former life.

Maison Scotch Chinos, Converse, Susie Ho Denim Crystal Bracelet

• APC style in button up heaven and white leather sandals. Just have a look on their website and you'll get the measure of their clothes. This is me doing the APC look on the cheap.

Zatchels Bag, H&M Low (not very) Skinny Jeans, White Primark sandals.

• Chilled out/weekend style. Err ... I wear these chambray drawstring pants for gardening normally but they're good for hols too. And the shirt works as a good cover up.

H&M Vest, New Look Drawstring Chambray Pants, Tesco Silver Flip Flops (all old)

• Classic white shirt & jeans style. Any old pair of blue denim jeans will do and a pair of sandals or flip flops. Or pop on a pair of heels to switch it up if you want/can be bothered/that way inclined.

Susie Ho Simple Pearl Necklace, Zara sandals (old)

• Blogger(ish) style. Whack a necklace and a posh bag on. Reminds me ... I need to return the bag to my sis.

Primark necklace, Topshop Jamie jeans, H&M shoes, Chanel Bag

• Trying to be cool mum in a skirt style. I'm making it up now as I go along. This little denim skirt is my holiday abroad denim skirt - it doesn't normally come out in the UK - I deem it a little too short (for me) over here.

French Connection denim skirt, River Island espadrilles, APC bag. Susie Ho necklace

• Raiders of the Lost Ark style. Told you I was making this up. Stick on the old faithful Namesake boots and an old Russell & Bromley messenger ..... and a hat.

Office Namesake boots, Susie Ho pearl wrap necklace/bracelet, Primark hat

Russell & Bromley bag, Jack Wills jeans

Okay, leave the hat and time to quit. Anyway, I think I've more than demonstrated the versatility of my white shirt. I'm quite tired from the dressing up shenanigans and the Grumps has shook his head once too many times at me prancing about on the landing over the weekend. Will love you and leave you to contemplate your own white shirts. Do you have one? Where's it from? What's it like? How do you wear it? It's different things to different people as seen here.

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Last Note :

• The Whistles sale has started. I checked on the first day and my shirt wasn't reduced. Yippee! Means it was a good pick.

• It's also sold out online which is no help to you. But there might be some lurking in the stores still.

• I bought it in the size 8 rather than a 10 and there's still room. Luvverly jubberly.