Anyone else find they can no longer wear a crisp white shirt as they get older?

[JessiCake]

Obviously I still CAN, in the sense of the fact I can put one on and do up the buttons etc... but these days it just makes me look and therefore feel shit!

A lovely crisp white shirt, usually man's-style, was the absolute staple of my wardrobe in my late 20s and 30s. I love minimalist style and it just worked with everything else I used to wear.

It's only now that I've realised I have 4 or 5 of them languishing in the wardrobe that I haven't worn for a good 5 years. I've put them on occasionally and then had a rapid re-think when I looked in the mirror!

They just drain me, whereas in the olden days (!) they used to frame my face really well.

I'm only bloody 41! Is there hope on the white shirt front? Anyone have any ways to get around this? I did try putting one with a lovely chunky turquoise necklace but that just looked like I knew the shirt made me look shit and was trying to brighten it up with a lovely chunky turquoise necklace.

I'm not pale and still look awful with white next to my face
I love the idea of them, the classic thing, but it can be achieved without wearing white shirts that don't suit you

Not everyone suits white. Alyson Walsh (That's Not My Age etc) says she finds a blue shirt more flattering to the complexion. For me optic white is the only way to go (I'm very pale with very dark hair) but you may find ivory or cream a bit softer, or a blue and white stripe.

Like pp I find my bosoms kind of defeat the purpose of the 'crisp' shirt, or at least it has to fit so perfectly that the odds of finding one are slim to none. I have a few cotton button-downs from Target which I love, but they're more soft (gingham, chambray) than starchy.

I’m still laughing at ‘they make me look like a baker’

Nope-same here. They look boxy and add pounds. I don’t do the tucked in thing being Apple-shaped so they are of limited appeal.

How about a black/navy jersey one from the White Company?

I've just started wearing them again (39) and they suit me better now because I'm older and don't look like I'm wearing school uniform which was the problem for many years as I'm rather petite

I've never been able to wear them really, or any other shirt with a collar. Short neck, big boobs, shoulder length hair, a collar makes me look cluttered and untidy. I can do it if I put my hair up but never with it down.

I used to look good in white shirts but now no. My skin is too ruddy and boobs are too big. I do look good in cream and pale blue not so fitted shirts. I’ve bought several H&M shirts in the last few weeks in cream n blue and they’re very flattering.I’ve bought linen,cotton all in that open necked with tie style.
I’m so bored of wearing t shirts.

I've got love for white shirts. I'm same age as you OP. In fact, I'm wearing one now, sleeves rolls up, rose gold skinny belt around waist, blue skinnies and leopard print pumps. Have a bitching hangover but still feel good! I hate lots of accessories and feel a white shirt allows me to showcase my, IMHO, subtle and carefully chosen jewellery/bags/belts etc and plainer clothes means funky shoes.

This is the one I have on: m.asos.com/asos/asos-design-slim-boyfriend-shirt-with-pleat-detail-back/prd/5938935?affid=14179&channelref=product%20search&mk=abc&currencyid=1&ppcadref=761030383%7C39786841643%7Caud-133853492439:pla-306553712390&_cclid=v3_1dd123c6-ad1e-51e8-b7f4-4c18a2ef4cb6&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrqL81e2O2wIVGZ3VCh0LzAGUEAQYASABEgKw6PD_BwE

Yep, understand the pain! I used to not be able to wear white at all (pale - skin tone not working with it) then in late twenties it suddenly seemed to work for me (as long as it was a long line and I wore another colour near it - all white made me look like the corpse bride). Now - the white makes my skin look tired and due to my tummy I have to size up so much to avoid unflattering tightness over the belly that I am drowned in it. I have gone to pale pink or pale blue.

Still can't wear yellow though - even soft primrose yellow. Look like a sick banana.

Soyalatte, your outfit sounds divine. Thx for the link to the shirt, which is fab. Can I be a pain and ask where you got a rose gold skinny belt, that sounds awesome.

Thanks everyone, sounds like it's (mostly) just me, but I will try some blue shirts and see if they work instead.

Apologies to those who have taken against use of the word 'crisp'. Given that my shirts are more often COVERED in crisp rather than actually crisp, it probably wasn't quite accurate. However it's that sort of 'crisp' look I'm going for, and used to pull off quite well. Preppy, maybe, is the more accurate word. Mind you, I hate that word almost as much as some people seem to hate crisp.

If you don't like fake tan op-those Clarins bronzing drops are meant to be very good as a kind of alternative.

Yes, agree about them not flattering apples. They need a flat stomach to get that Honor Blackman chic which is what I associate the white shirt look with.

Thanks Jessicake I felt quite sassy today 😆 The belt was part of a 3 pack from New Look, I checked to see if I could send you a link but looks like they've run out 😞

Agree with PP comments the clarins drops for a tan which is less Oompa Loompa and more Gisele Bundchen.

I’m 38 and I love white shirts. I have 8 of them in my wardrobe all from different shops and different styles. They get a good airing at this time of the year and they really suit me. I am East Asian, size 8 with non existent boobs, if that makes a difference.