Diane Parente, AICI, CIP

THE WHITE SHIRT – A STAPLE
What design details do you think work best for you?

How do you wear and accessorize your white shirt?

A great white shirt can add style to a simple pair of trousers or skirt: it can jazz up jeans or be the perfect underpinning for a sophisticated suit.  How do you use the white shirt to your best advantage with your existing wardrobe, and how do you maximize the shirt to get as many looks as you can with the single piece?

• Remember that white is a neutral, so it goes with as much as black does. But, also take into account that, like black, white is not always the best color to wear close to the face. This is easily taken care of by finding an off-white shirt or adding accessories in flattering colors between your face and the white. A white shirt will have style on its own, so by simply adding jewelry, you can change the look and keep the style.
• The white shirt always works under a great jacket, although you should be careful of collar clashes here; make sure the two collars work with each other and not against each other. But if you are bored with the jacket and blouse routine, try a suit-inspired vest over the white shirt for a smart and stylish look.
• While the white shirt works well acting like a top under a piece, it can also be worn over another piece acting like a jacket because it has structure. During warmer weather, it’s a good alternative to wear a crisp white blouse over a camisole as a jacket. This look can be altered with a belt as well. If you are a fan of the sweater set, but find the cardigan too hot at times, try wearing a classic white shirt over the shell instead. It will still have a polished appearance, but will be much cooler.
• Take that same sweater set and put the cardigan over the white shirt. This is also quite professional looking because the shirt adds structure, but tends to be less restricting and lighter than a jacket. The V-neck sweater also works well over the collared classic white shirt. Again the shirt adds structure without a jacket, and you can add a belt to this ensemble as well.
• Belts are another fun way to wear your white shirt. The shirt is a blank canvas and, depending on the belt, you can create an edgy or sophisticated look, or something with a feminine touch.
• The other simple but classic way to wear a white shirt is with a gorgeous scarf tied around the neck. Lay the scarf under the collar like a man’s necktie, or you can open up the shirt a bit and wear the scarf around your neck with a bow for a French-inspired style. One of the most creatively stylish women I’ve ever known would drape a scarf around her neck under a structured blouse so the scarf resembled a shawl-collared top.

A crisp white blouse can add structure to a soft knit such as a cardigan, while a tunic can add easy style to a pair of jeans, and a wrap white blouse can take a plain black trouser into a sophisticated and understated look.  So if this is overwhelming, and you are having trouble getting out of the white-shirt box you may be in, a professional could help you break free and begin wearing the great white shirt to its maximum!

THE WHITE SHIRT – A STAPLE
How do you care for your white shirt?

Sometimes caring for your white shirts can seem very high maintenance. If you take them to the dry cleaners, they eventually turn yellow, but they never seem to retain their crispness when washed at home!

• Use a bleach pen on any small stain that lands on your white shirts.
• Apply Scotchguard on areas that discolor such as cuffs and collars to allow a few more wears between washings. You don’t want to launder your shirts too frequently.
• Wash the shirts on a cold/gentle cycle in a lingerie bag.
• Air-dry your shirts on a hanger. DO NOT PUT THEM IN THE DRYER!
• Yes, you will have to iron them, but they will look fabulous. A steamer is another helpful tool and a great alternative to the iron.

Please don’t avoid having this essential piece in your wardrobe just because you don’t know how to care for it. It’s really not that difficult. Go on – give it a try!

The Dress is a wonderful, easy piece to add to your winter wardrobe, especially for the Holiday season.

The dress is so easy! It is the core of a pulled together look. The right dress will make a woman look great and feel terrific every time she puts the dress on.

The dress is also amazingly diverse. It can be dressed up with evening accessories, turned business under a suit Jacket and pumps and play on the weekend with boots and a boyfriend sweater. A great dress will stand alone for a great look or work with other pieces as part of an ensemble.

Use the dress in a look that suits your style best to create a great style.

• For a classic look, try a structured dress with a patent leather belt and shoes!
• Layers are a very fashion forward and great to keep the chill off. Try layering luxurious pieces over luxurious pieces like a beaded cashmere cardigan over a velvet or satin dress.

To create a festive feel with your Holiday Dress, Look for details that have a Special quality to them:

• Sparkle is a fun way to create a holiday feel to your clothing. The trick is to not over do the sparkle Rich fabrics like velvet, satin, or or even paten and metallic leather have a “special” air to them.
• A bit of lace is feminine and has a dressy look that works well with black satin or a metallic, and can be easily winterized with opaque tights and knits.
• Nothing says the winter holiday traditions more than red plaid or candy cane stripes. But beware, these are bold looks, so treat them with care and use these festive prints in moderation. For a more updated look try this year’s winter florals in red.

Trends for this Season:

Winter Florals, Purple, Brights, Black & White, metallic, velvet, brocade, Embellished Necklines, Bubble Hemlines

Please visit my website for top tips and style recommendations that will help you select the best outfits for this holiday season.