Everyday shirts to wear with jeans

[HotAndHassled]

I usually wear a t shirt and jeans but would like to smarten myself up just a little bit. Same ease of “throw it on and ready to go” but a little more pulled together. Any suggestions please? I am 5’8” and a size 14/16. Thanks.

Uniqlo linen shirts are great for the coming warmer weather

TBH I reckon the best way to smarten up just a little would actually be to ditch the jeans for any casual trousers (not jogging bottom-type or yoga pants, but pretty much anything else).
Depending on how much smarter, just look for cotton or linen shirts with a collar: Boden usually have at least a couple of prints that aren't too garish or '70s, but they are expensive. Fatface (Olivia is the standard long sleeve style, I think) is worth a look, my favourite shirt is an unusual check from their women's range, but from years ago - haven't seen anything as nice since. If you don't mind a casual fit you could try the Fatface men's range in XS - usually more choice - they're oversized on me, but I'm a couple of cm shorter than you and flat-chested). Mango, Crew Clothing and Benetton are all worth a look. Maybe Seasalt's Larissa shirt - they occasionally have prints I like, but the whole deliberately wrinkly thing puts me off - I reckon the cotton must be too thin to look nice, so I've never actually bought any.

I got a lovely Joules shirt in Next clearance a couple of years ago. It can be dressed up or down.

Seasalt larissa are fine cotton, I either run my straighteners over the collar and cuffs to wear under a jumper, or iron them for the summer. Size up though. To get the crinkles effect you have to twist them to dry.

Crew do nice linen shirts but wait for a sale/discount.

Benetton fine cotton lawn are lovely too.

I buy men’s from Vinted!

Thanks for these replies. @Nitgel , I have to be careful with linen - it can add bulk to me if I’m not careful. I get on better with it untucked in the summer over a vest.
@LadybirdsProcessing I am having a love affair with jeans at the moment - I have found a style that I feel good in and they really are a staple in my life.

Fair enough @HotAndHassled - each to her own! Quite possibly I'm just hopeless at jeans, I can't imagine ever feeling even slightly smart in them and feel more presentable in decent t-shirts with other casual trousers than I would in jeans and a posh top or shirt.

Have a look at Uniqlo. They do shirts that I think are a mix of viscose and rayon and maybe linen and cotton. Really easy to wear. I find the colours a bit boring though but sometimes they have an interesting colour

@LadybirdsProcessing - it’s possibly a reflection of my life right now. I have recently stopped working and find that jeans work for most situations I find myself in.
@Slimtoddy - am going to Uniqlo this morning. My wardrobe is very Uniqlo heavy but I will need to try the shirts on as they look very boxy which is not a good look on me. Totally agree about colours - their merino knitwear is superb, let down only by the limited colours.

Another Larissa fan, ive got 5.they were great when travelling in Australia. My friend, who always looks put together, has a uniform of jeans-darker the better, linen or cotton shirt, always plain and a black blazer. Scarf if she wants to zhuzz it up. It helps that she is about a 10 or 12, but she looks great all the time.

I like Baukjen’s Ecovero shirts. They hang beautifully and wash well, they last forever.

I got a nice one from Primark, of all places. I haven't shopped there in years but it's a lovely fit and colour. Only £12, they also have linen shirts in summer.

run my straighteners over the collar and cuffs

This is a revelation to me! What a good idea, I hate getting the ironing board out!

I have smart shirts from Rydale and Hoggs of Fife (usually plain or striped ones). I layer them with crew-neck jumpers on colder days, plus the inevitable jeans, and people ask me a lot if I always dress so smartly!

I'll also be experimenting with straighteners on the collar to spare me from the perils of ironing!

I 'iron' linen and silk with my hair dryer. Put it on, pull it taut and blow dry.