THE SHAPE OF SHIRTS TO COME

  Shirts nowadays are not the boring, old piece of garment that they used to be once upon a time. There are many different styles available, and there is something for everyone.

Any discussion about shirts is rather deficient if it does not begin with the Holy Grail, the white shirt. For ages, it has been the most important and influential part of a stylish woman's closet.

What makes it phenomenal is the versatility. You wear it to the office in the morning with tailored black pants and pearl or solitaire studs and nude lipstick, and then in the evening your friends make plans for dinner at the swanky new eatery. With no time to change between commute from office to the restaurant, you, ever the smart, savvy fashionista, switch the pearl studs for a pair of dressy rhinestone danglers, change your lip colour to a juicy shade of berry and voila! You are ready for a night out in town!

There are a few aspects to choosing the right white shirt. Firstly, the fabric is of utmost importance. Cotton and linen are eternal favourites due to their softness and breathability, but tend to crease more. Many newer fabrics offer comfort as well as a wrinkle-free effect so choose whichever you prefer.

Next up is the fit. Trying a shirt on before purchasing is the best thing to do as different people prefer different types of fits. Shirts that are fitted at the bust and slightly tapered around the waist are in vogue. Another thing to watch out for is interesting details. Ruffles, pleats, balloon or puff sleeves are all very trendy, so are mother of pearl and shell buttons.

Pick one that speaks to you! One aspect that must be kept in mind when shopping for white shirts is the transparency factor. Always be mindful of wearing flesh-toned lingerie as any other colour, even white will show, particularly in photographs!

In terms of coloured shirts, the options are endless. From sweet pastels to appealing solids, one is truly spoilt for choice. Light shades such as baby pink, powder blue, mint green and lilac look fresh, feel comfortable and are perfect for everyday wear. You could wear them with jeans, khakis, and skirts. Short ones look very chic when worn with palazzos and culottes.

Another interesting option is the printed shirt. From stripes to dots to floral, one truly has a million options! Polka dots are cute and stylish, but it is the floral print that is all the rage everywhere now. From oversized flowers to small, dainty ones, floral shirts have reigned supreme for the past few seasons. These shirts are perfect for daytime.

For an interesting twist, look for flowing fabrics such as georgette, chiffon, crepe and silk. These materials are ideal for the night.

Keep an eye out for interesting details such as Peter Pan collars, exaggerated or pleated sleeves, embellished collars and cuffs. Bias-cuts or asymmetrical hemlines are also very hot right now. Shirts with low fronts and long backs are fun and look great when worn with leggings.

Kurti-style shirts are a fusion offering that blends the ease and grace of a traditional kurti and structure and shape of a shirt. These can be on both solid coloured fabrics as well as printed ones, and look great with tights and palazzos.

Highly comfortable, kurti-style shirts are perfect for the movies and window shopping! Another option is the chambray shirt that used to be big in the 90s. This style has been embellished with studs, crystals and floral embroidery which look edgy and cool when worn with distressed denims.

A great option for casual wear, look for chambray shirts that are soft and fit well. New places like Noir, Sciccosso and a few boutiques around town have the above mentioned styles on offer.

Lastly, another kind of shirt that deserves a mention is the plaid shirt. A childhood favourite, almost every girl that I know owns at least one plaid shirt. The ease of wearing it, the softness of the material and how casually chic it looks when worn with a pair of jeans are only the few things that make plaid shirts amazing.

When shopping for one, keep the fit in mind as baggy styles are a big no no! Soft materials are comfortable, but do not pick flannel that is commonly available everywhere. They are woolly and will make you break into a sweat!
Real plaid is a little hard to find so keep an eye out. When you find the perfect one, roll up the sleeves, tuck the hem into jeans  and strut your stuff!                  

Photo: Sazzad Ibne Sayed
Model: Hridi, Noureen
Make-up: Farzana Shakil
Styling: Tabassum Anila Hridi
Wardrobe and location: Noir, House 72, Block D, Road 11, Banani