Megan

The Secret to Wearing a White Shirt Every Day

Leave a Comment / Style / By / August 19, 2020
J.Crew white linen shirt

I have a friend who wears white shirts on a daily basis. When I asked her for the secret to maintaining fashion-shoot-worthy whites, she informed me that bleach and owning multiple shirts were key. “You can’t just have one,” she said. Some time after acquiring this information, I found myself in need of a slightly-more-professional fall uniform. I had assumed more responsibilities at work and wanted a look that suited my new role.

I’d already amassed a generous number of the J.Crew Martie pant in black and navy. They, along with two pairs of ballet flats in the same colors, anchored the lower half of this new look. Sometimes, I swapped the flats out for navy platform sneakers. The Superga 2790 Acotw made my legs look longer and elevated my uniform a bit more than the Superga 2750 Cotu to which I had been accustomed.

I’d made up my mind that the top half of my uniform would consist of classic white shirts. I bought seven cotton v-neck tees from Everlane and about an equal number of camisoles to layer underneath. I also added five white button-up tunic shirts to the mix. They were a little sheer, slightly oversized, and fit elegantly over the camisoles. Both white shirts looked polished under a light grey herringbone blazer that I acquired specifically for the upgrade. The blazer lent itself to being swapped out for a lightweight jacket or trench coat while running errands. Sometimes I’d skip an outerwear layer altogether.

The latest addition to my white shirt collection: the J.Crew slim perfect shirt in Baird McNutt Irish linen. This button-up shirt has the laid-back personality of summer: the sleeves roll up nicely, and it pairs well with shorts and skirts. By now, I’ve mastered the art of wearing white shirts in warm and cool weather. They are an essential staple, but you definitely need several of them in rotation to keep them looking flawless. My cleaning secret: soak the underarms (or the entire garment if needed) in a bucket with warm water and a generous amount of OxiClean. Do not use bleach.

Works Sighted

J.Crew slim perfect shirt in Baird McNutt Irish linen

Wearing My Silk Scarf as a Mask

Leave a Comment / Accessories, Style / By / August 19, 2020
Boden dress, J.Crew silk scarf, Kayu tote, Castañer Carina espadrilles, and Kate Spade sunglasses.

Although I only cover my face on weekly visits to Trader Joe’s, I find the experience of not being able to breathe highly uncomfortable. Wearing an attractive silk scarf was the only solution I could come up with to make these outings a little bearable. At present, I own three silk scarves (all acquired due to the current state of things), but the first one I bought has especially seen its fair share of wear.  When it’s not covering the lower half of my face, I’m wearing it around my neck, tied around my wrist like a bracelet, or as a belt at the waist of a navy dress.

For the sake of cleanliness, I refrain from looping it around the handle of my purse, but this would be another option in better times. I’ve also entertained the idea of tying it around my ankle, but I haven’t put that thought to the test (again for the sake of cleanliness). I won’t wear a scarf for longer than a day without washing it, especially now that the summer heat and humidity have arrived. Laundering is simple and only requires the following: a bucket of cool water, Woolite, and a drying rack.

Works Sighted

J.Crew square silk scarf in lemon print (sold out); Boden Helena chino dress; Kayu mini Behati tassel straw tote; Castañer Carina 60mm wedge espadrille; Kate Spade sunglasses (old)

Further Reading

J.Cew square silk scarf in leopard print; J.Crew square silk scarf in leopard; J.Crew square scarf in Ratti print; Bembien Simone Scarf—crème; Bembien Simone Scarf—petite étoile

My Summer Work-From-Home Uniform

Leave a Comment / Style / By / August 19, 2020
linen shirts, shorts, sandals, and Supergas.

One of my favorite pre-social-distancing rituals was seeing what everyone was wearing in the office. I’d compliment my friends on well-made choices, some classic, some not. We’d share the stories behind our outfits with each other, and everyone walked away feeling a little more stylish than they had on the commute into the city.

Whenever someone (usually me) had a package (usually a piece of clothing) delivered to the office, we’d discuss the item’s best qualities during our breaks. Getting dressed in an outfit that brought me joy was the highlight of my morning. When we started working from home due to COVID-19, I found myself in uncharted waters. What does one wear when working from home? I’d never been confronted with that question before. At first, I wore pajamas, but then I realized rather quickly that I felt more like myself when I wore real clothes. It is impossible to seize the day when you look like you haven’t gotten out of bed. I didn’t own many casual items of clothing, but I knew I wouldn’t be prepared for a summer at home if I didn’t acquire some soon.

For years, I had abided by my self-made policy of never wearing shorts, but my urgent need for a comfortable, summer-appropriate, casual uniform compelled me to reconsider. Ultimately, I decided that my new work-from-home uniform would be composed of a pair of linen shorts or pants and a button-up shirt of the same fabric. I love the way linen feels when it air dries after being washed. It’s wrinkled, highly textured, and slightly shrunken (if you didn’t buy it prewashed). Why is it so rewarding to iron/steam the wrinkles out? I always press the shirts before each wear, but I let the linen shorts show in their crinkly state.

Works Sighted

J.Crew slim perfect shirt in Baird McNutt Irish linen

J.Crew seaside short in linen blend

J.Crew seaside short in stripe

Tie-waist seaside pant

J.Crew leather ankle-wrap thong sandals

Superga 2750 Cotu (Navy, White)