INVESTMENT PIECE

FASHION FAVOURITE the white shirt

The foundation of any stylish woman’s wardrobe includes timeless pieces that can be paired with almost anything. Enter the white button-down shirt. Express your every style sense with these four cool ways to wear it. BY JULIA MCEWEN PHOTOGRAPHY BY CARLYLE ROUTH

Fine quality is worth the splurge: Grosgrain-trim shirt, $295, pinktartan.com.

GRAPHIC CONTENT

Black and white plus chic equals sartorial elegance. This timeless shirt is the ideal piece to balance out bold-patterned slacks or a cardigan. Just add a pop of colour with bright red lipstick. Atwell cardigan, $130; Renvy booties; gilt.com. Pants, $158, canada.frenchconnection.com. Modern Love glasses, josephson.ca. Earrings, hm.com/ca. Six Eleven bag, aritzia.com.

SHLEPPY CHIC

A basic white shirt tucked under a heavy knit sweater lends a cozy yet polished silhouette. The different layers provide interest while keeping you snug. From there, don relaxed denim and a slim pair of flats. Coat, $75, oldnavy.ca. Sweater, $299, tigerofsweden.com. Boyfriend jeans, $80, gapcanada.ca. Earrings, lechateau.com. Ring, swarovski.ca. Renvy flats, gilt.com.

Not-So-Basic White Shirts

Wrinkle-resistant fabric makes this piece perfect for a jet-setting lifestyle. Jones

POSH SPICE

Buttoned all the way up and tucked into a fitted midi skirt, the white shirt becomes streamlined and ultra-polished. For a more refined look, layer on a tweed jacket and slip a bejewelled necklace under the collar. Tweed jacket, $139; bracelet; ring; anntaylor.com. Midi-length skirt, $60, gapcanada.ca. Earrings, bananarepublic.ca. Necklace, jcrew.com. Leather shoes, ninewest.ca.

LAYER PLAYER

Layering a flirty patterned jumper over a crisp white shirt might be your new go-to office getup. For a fancier soirée, pair the classic button-down with an inky sleeveless cocktail frock and a statement necklace. Jones New York dress, $159, thebay.com. Earrings, hm.com/ca. Bracelet, banana republic.ca. Ring, anntaylor.com. Bag, brooks brothers.com. Suede shoes, ninewest.ca. New York Collection easy-care blouse, $60, thebay.com.

A billowy collarless tunic in a lightweight fabric has an artistic flair. Collarless silk tunic, $59,

joefresh.com. Longer than a blouse but shorter than a dress, an oversize white shirt is wildly versatile. Oversize white shirt, $94, anntaylor.com.

PRODUCT PHOTOGRAPHY, RYAN BROOK. HAIR AND MAKEUP, JUKKA/TRESEMMÉ HAIR CARE/ DIOR/PLUTINO GROUP