At Couture Fashion Week Fall 2017. Photographed by Valentina Frugiuele for Vogue Arabia
The humble shirt is the quintessential wardrobe staple that some of the greatest outfits hinge upon. We’ve reported on the slogan T-shirt trend, and now it’s time to pay homage to the shirt. This clever key piece was seen on street style stars such as Pernille Tesibaek, Giovanna Engelbert, and Veronika Heilbrunner throughout fashion month. While the classic Oxford shirt, or reworked asymmetric, and great white styles are regulars in designers’ collections—from Ellery to 3.1 Phillip Lim, and Helmut Lang—they need little introduction. But the natty, new ways to wear them do. So don’t just button up your shirt: tuck it, twist it, let it slide, knot it, and make it your own. Plus, if you’re feeling inspired, then shop our #11 edit of premium shirts.
Vogue Arabia decodes the futureproof ways to wear the shirt now, as inspired by the street style circuit.
Romantic Reverie
Paris Fashion Week Spring 2017. Photographed by Valentina Frugiuele.
The latest signature spin on classic shirts for Spring 2017 by the leading fashion houses looks to cotton-poplin sculptural twists, origami-like folds, or delicate ruffles cascading amongst dainty buttons. Wear with a tailored waistcoat, or a neat jacket. Go To Brands: Gucci, Saint Laurent, and Junya Watanabe
Go Large
Sofia Sanchez at Paris Fashion Week Spring 2017. Photographed by Valentina Frugiuele.
Reach for boyfriend fits and oversized styles to relax romantic midi skirts and add edge to kooky fur accessories. Go To Brands: MM6 Maison Margiela and Helmut Lang
Directional Layers
Tracey Cheng at Paris Fashion Week Spring 2017. Photographed by Valentina Frugiuele.
Take one directional shirt with voluminous arms and tame it with a layered, cropped bustier. Go To Brands: Rosie Assoulin, MSGM, and Tome
Roll Up & Belt Up
Giovanna Engelbert at Paris Fashion Week Spring 2017. Photographed by Valentina Frugiuele.
Opt for ladylike glamour and wear a crisp white embroidered shirt with sleeves rolled up, to showcase your choice jewelry. Complete the look with a wide leather belt. Go To Brands: MiH Jeans and Stella McCartney
Cold Shoulder
Paris Fashion Week Spring 2017. Photographed by Valentina Frugiuele.
Trial this fashion formulae: leave the top three buttons undone on your shirt, add a structured crop top, and check trousers for an unexpected outfit. Go To Brands: Madewell, Theory, and Gucci
Plastic Fantastic
Paris Fashion Week Spring 2017. Photographed by Valentina Frugiuele.
Last Fall, Gisele exited her NYC apartment in a pair of PVC trousers by Italian-Belgian designer Anthony Vaccarello, closely followed by Alexa Chung in the very same style. The high-shine look has taken to the streets, deftly contrasted with classic white shirts, or chunky knitwear. Go To Brands: Anthony Vaccarello (for PVC trousers), Victoria Beckham, and Joseph
Take Two Tone
Milan Fashion Week Spring 2017. Photographed by Valentina Frugiuele.
Exaggerated cut (asymmetric hems, shirts with free-flowing silhouettes) cotton poplin shirts have been taken to the next level in the recent designer collections with contrasting panels. Wear yours with wide-legged trousers and stilettos. Go To Brands: Tome and T by Alexander Wang
Madam Monochrome
Paris Fashion Week Spring 2017. Photographed by Valentina Frugiuele.
Elevate a pair of classic Levi’s 501s with a super long-sleeved white shirt and add a black leather corset to whip your wardrobe into shape. Go To Brands: Ann Demeulemeester and Valentino
Open Sesame
Milan Fashion Week Spring 2017. Photographed by Valentina Frugiuele.
Lift your althleisure zip-up track tops with a striped Oxford shirt worn open, with a half-tuck to keep it in place. Go To Brands: Dolce & Gabbana and J.Crew
The Two Trick Tuck
Ada Kokosar and Candela Novembre at Milan Fashion Week Spring 2017. Photographed by Valentina Frugiuele.
The futureproof way to take a basic shirt and make it look anything but simple is to roll up the sleeves (unevenly), bare one shoulder, and tuck it into a fitted leather pencil skirt à la Ada Kokosar. Go To Brands: Equipment and Ganni
Natty Layering
Paris Fashion Week Spring 2017. Photographed by Valentina Frugiuele
Add a modest edge to cut out layers that would otherwise expose too much skin by wearing your trusty shirt underneath; it’ll unlock lots of key pieces. Go To Brands: Dion Lee and Vetements
Let It Be
Veronika Heilbrunner at Paris Fashion Week Spring 2017. Photographed by Valentina Frugiuele.
Tilt your shirt to one side, and let it hang with the top four buttons undone for the perfect laissez-faire finish to channel Veronika Heilbrunner’s front row style. Go To Brands: Altuzarra and F.R.S For Restless Sleepers
The Two-Button Messy Tuck
Paris Fashion Week Spring 2017. Photographed by Valentina Frugiuele.
High-waisted skirts don’t need to get lost under layering; only do up two buttons, tuck one section of your shirt in, and let the rest hang languidly. Go To Brands: Strateas Carlucci and Y-3
Go Long
Make like the elite street style stars by investing in a longline shirt, or take the plunge and wear a shirt dress with leather boots. Additional fur for winter is optional. Go To Brands: Adeam, Jacquemus, and Adam Lippes
Knot-urnal
Paris Fashion Week Spring 2017. Photographed by Valentina Frugiuele.
The ultimate day-to-night way to wear a paper shirt is to channel Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, and knot it over a dress—but with the additional detail of folding down one side of the arm. The deconstructed look is a trend that will certainly bleed into Spring 2017, so activate it in your wardrobe now. Go To Brands: Rosie Assoulin and Monse
Read next: How To Style Oversized Shirts Like a Star in 2024
