Crisp white shirt

[JurassicPark4Eva]

I was at an event this weekend and the woman next to me had on a gorgeous, crisp, clearly expensive, white shirt with her blue jeans. Likely cotton. She's very well to do and probably spent a few quid on it judging by the obvious quality.

Does anyone have any recommendations for good quality, fitted, crisp, fitted, long sleeved (or 3/4) white shirts? With a collar preferably.

I'm a size 16-18 but losing approx a dress size every 2 months currently and aiming for a 10-12 if it helps as I could stretch to an aspirational size if needs be 😂

Second hand / Vinted is more than acceptable. I don't have a budget in mind as I've been a size 24-26 for so long that my perspective on clothes has been more "what goes round me and I don't hate" than picking things that are actually attractive.

Have a look at this: https://www.withnothingunderneath.com/pages/search-results-page?q=the%20oxford
If it's good enough for Kate!

Do you already own an excellent iron and ironing board? Or have a relationship with a trusted laundry / ironing service?

You can make a mid-range cotton shirt look a million dollars with these tools.

Good iron etc, but tbh I've ironed about three items in 20 years....

Well you could send them out for laundering.

But otherwise your aspirations towards crispness will never be fulfilled!

Use the spray on starch for a really nice beautifully expensive looking white shirt and as pp said, an iron and an ironing board 😃

This? I’ve got my eye on it but I tend to drop food down my front too often…🥴

https://www.withnothingunderneath.com/products/the-classic-oxford-white-1

I’d be very careful buying white shirts on vinted, as if they’re not washed by someone who separates colours they are not crisp and white the same way.
also, if you aren’t going to iron it, don’t bother. You don’t get crisp beautiful white shirts without an iron. Spray on starch might be a good idea, I don’t know.

Don't get me wrong, if it needs tlc I'll give it tlc!

My usual Next tshirts or Craghopper fleeces aren't in need of an iron, but I'm having to rediscover who I am and how I want to dress now as a woman in her 40s.

The last time I was a size 18 was in my 20s and I can't face things like mini denim skirts, striped rugby shirts, drop V neck wrap dresses or smocks again. I'm looking for fitted, classic and classy I think!

Joining as I love and aspire to this look too! It looks great with silver jewel too I’ve admired a few.

A crisp white shirt and jeans is pretty much my go to outfit. Takes you anywhere, easy to dress it up a bit or down.

TK Maxx often have them in from The Shirt Company at a good price. They’re also available direct at full price www.theshirtcompany.co.uk

I’ve got a couple of new ones recently from good old M&S. They have a really nice cuff which folds back on itself rather than buttoning at the wrist, and this looks really good.

Extra care with washing and ironing is KEY to keeping them looking good. I usually buy 3 in the style I like and rotate them (one on, one off and on in the wash). I only ever wash them with other white stuff - or hand wash them on their own - and add a scoop of Ace or Vanish. Once they “grey” they totally lose the stylishness.

There are some great YouTube videos on how to iron a perfect shirt (I need to get out more!). It’s so easy after the first few times and only takes a few minutes.

Typing this I realise I sound super fussy 🫣 but taking extra care has meant I’ve had some that looked good for over 5 years (originally from Next).

Ooh - and wear either a nude/flesh coloured bra or a pale pink, white will show.

@Letsskidaddle oh my, the Shirt Company ruffle shirts are 😮😮😮😮 Just gorgeous. One for me to have a good look at, thank you!

Uniqlo is very good on shirts.

https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/women/shirts-and-blouses

Crew Clothing do nice plain white Oxford shirts in good quality cotton.

I was going to say Uniqlo - just as good as the more £££ ones

Some of these look great, but they are not "fitted" as afar as i can see. they look more baggy or boxy to me. I have tried to wear slightly fitted shirts but having boobs is a major complication and if it's not baggy, it gapes! Can see why very slim and flatter-chested people like the though

There is a website for shirts only specifically for women with big boobs. I cant find it now. Anyone know what Im talking about?

M&S can also be a gem in this area.. Or shirt outfitters that have a women's section (like Charles Tyrwhitt - hmm, maybe they don't do women's, but something similar).

You need “”With Nothing Underneath” for shirts. They are beautiful.

Sezane also do beautiful shirts - gorgeous styles and 100% cotton!!

I read an article by a fashion stylist once who said do not spend on expensive white shirts or T-shirts. But then annually and wash well - no matter how expensive, you will never keep them pristine after 12 months.

I buy them in Zara; M and S and Massimo Dutti. You could buy COS in the sale.

i would never buy shirts on Vinted - especially white ones. I wash whites with only white clothes - 90% of people don’t!!

Crew Clothing Company do some excellent white shirts. I have several, in different styles.

Since losing a lot of weight I am now friends with the iron again

Well I say friends

Clothing looks well turned out when you look after it and that includes ironing it, and hanging it right when its drying. I use hangers to hang shirts to dry, hang my trousers in particular ways on the line. I try not to stretch the fabric with pegs so am careful about where I put them. Dry flat small jumpers. I use wash bags so things arent flung around the washing machine too much.

Bust darts is what you need.

Hawes and Curtis do some nice ones - you can choose how fitted you want. I like the twill, which is a heavier weight, but the stretch fitted are nice too! https://www.hawesandcurtis.co.uk/white-twill-cotton-semi-fitted-shirt-sgpia120-n01