Do you have those things in your wardrobe which make you wonder what you wore before you had them? For me, it’s a blue and white striped shirt. It’s the type of thin cotton that looks like it is meant to be a bit crumpled, and is perfect for mum-ing in without wearing jersey tees.
I always feel that a collar and a bit of structure – albeit quite relaxed – feels less like loungewear but with just as much comfort, and the bit of drape you get with a shirt is much more flattering than your average t-shirt.
This weekend we had a night away and a long (4.5 hours) car journey which called for comfort so I took my faithful striped shirt and added it to loose jeans and my comfy (yes, they really are) sandals. For me, if I’m going relaxed in my outfit, I have to have heels and hey, sitting in the car all afternoon in heels is easy! I hate turning up to check in at a hotel and feeling scruffy so the heels make me feel a bit more presentable.
I would normally add more colour to an outfit but sometimes I think keeping it simple and tonal can work well, and my bold star print scarf added all the interest I needed. And anyway, I did have my hair scraped up in a neon pink hairband…
Shop my style
Shirt, New Look (similar below) | Scarf, Ella Bella Scarves (similar here at Molly & Pearl) | Jeans, Zara (similar here) | Belt, Lands’ End (similar here) | Sandals, Dune (similar here)
Striped shirts: top picks
If you are lacking a striped shirt in your wardrobe then fear not, here is my selection of some of the best around right now.
Clockwise from top: Tommy Hilfiger | Oasis | Vero Moda | Joules | Mango
Style tips
- Washed-out stripes give a more relaxed look to your shirt, so the odd crease doesn’t matter; less ironing, hurrah!
- Roll your sleeves roughly and loosely tuck in the hem to keep your look current for day time.
- Pair with relaxed fit jeans and slider sandals for easy summer style.
- Dress your striped shirt up for evening with flares and heels.
