Simple chic: white shirt and black trousers
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| Photo: Redbook |
Whenever I blog about the Advanced Stylistas (which is quite a lot at the moment with the film coming out, and all), I receive comments saying yes, they’re fabulous women and good that they’re doing their own thing, but isn’t it a bit theatrical for everyday? And, my favourite recent remark: ‘There’s a thick line between garish and stylish’. So. I just had to pass on this unexpected style advice from Tziporah Salamon, given during the Q&A session after the London film premiere,
‘ Every woman needs a great pair of black pants, a great white blouse, a great pair of shoes and red lipstick.’
Even the most flamboyant dressers appreciate the value of keeping it simple.
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| Photo: Alex Norheim |
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| Photo: Telegraph |
So. Here are a couple of white shirt options: smart or casual, take your pick.
Oversized white shirt, £275, MiH jeans, available HERE.
The dream: tailored wool trousers, £605 by Saint Laurent, available HERE.
The reality: wide leg trousers, £150 by Gerard Darel, available HERE.
And the Sophia Webster shoes – these are from the main range, the J.Crew collaboration appears to have sold out – neon T-bar pumps, £260, available HERE:
Sophia Webster patent leather and raffia sandal, £195, available HERE.
What are your go-to fashion favourites? And I’m not a big lipstick-wearer so any tips on the best reds? Chanel?
Discussion (23 Comments)
Oddly, a white shirt is the one item of clothing I don't have… And won't get. I absolutely love it, on other people, but white is not my colour, it drains all the colour from my face and makes me look beyond pallid, like a ghost. It is difficult to come up with an alternative, though…
I look rubbish in a white shirt and black trousers – like a dumpy waitress.I do like red lipstick though:I'd recommend Chanel (definitely),maybe Vendome?, and Lipstick Queen Matte lipsticks from Space NK are fantastic ,too.I've been looking at your Pinterest boards, so I can see you very much suit boyish dressing.Lucky you.Xsue
I think if I saw Tziporah in a white shirt and black pants I would faint.
Love the look, though. And vice versa. Like Jackie O in a black top and white pants.
What's wrong with garish?! I think fashion should be 100% fun. I mean they're only clothes for god's sake! More garish outfits on the street please! I think it's missing the point of life if we are even making rules about clothes… humans have a looong way to go
Surprise, surprise— perhaps it's my own personal backlash, but when I want to feel chic and "grown up" lately I go for a white blouse (not a shirt gal) and black pants. The pants are softly tailored (not Katherine Hepburn trousers). I add a statement necklace in place of red lipstick (my lips aren't good enough for the attenion). Note to Tina: ivory might work better for you than stark white.
I just found a white shirt with a high collar, and have enjoyed wearing it. White shirts are a new horizon for me, thanks to blogging.
Style is self expression and I love the look of those who are flamboyant and those who are understated. I'm enthralled with differences!
I'm beginning to think I am going to have to spend mega-amounts in order to find that perfect white shirt/blouse because even at $100 they still gape at the bust. Can anybody recommend a brand that doesn't create a peep show and preferably won't break the bank?
The real problem with white shirts is that they tend to yellow over time as they grow old. 😉 KWIM?
Isn't the whole point of the Advanced Stylistas is that they are theatrical and outrageous because at their age they no longer care about conforming to the tiresome conventions of the young – attracting a breeding partner, pleasing a boss, being part the PTA?
Black and white works on those women because they are conventionally beautiful, leggy and rich. Me, I'd just look like a waitress (and feel dreadful). xi suppose my favorite go to outfit is a white tshirt and jeans. i always feel myself in them and with our mild weather i can wear this year-round.
my fave red lipstick is aveda's poppy. you can either wear it right out of the tube for a really red look or diffuse it with some transparent lip gloss and then it's a softer reddish pink.
i think it'd look good on you allison.!!
Vix – I think the Advanced Stylistas are brilliant fun, whatever they're wearing.
Red lipsticks to try are:
Bobbi Brown Lip Color in Red – My favourite!
Burberry Lip Mist in Rosy Red
Mac Ruby Woo
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Fire & Ice
The Revlon Lip Butters in Candy Apple and Red Velvet are also sheer so make good starter reds 🙂
LBB x
Oooh, that Lauren Bacall pic is terrific as are those YSL trousers. It's quixotic that I was JUST speaking with a colleague about my ability to wear a different white shirt/black pants/black loafers every day for a full week. As in more than 7 of each. Scary. As for red lips? thin and inconsequential as mine are, my teenage girls rib me mercilessly that I own over a dozen red lip products. I vouch for Julie Hewitt, both her lipsticks and her Ruby camellia balm; Lipstick Queen's fab products, including Medieval and her Saint/Sinner line; Ilia Beauty sheer Arabian Nights; Burts Bees in rhubarb; Fresh Sugar plum, among others; and good grief now I sound like an obsessed woman. Suffice to say, for an excruciatingly non-makeup person, I have an obscene amount of red lip options. Along with white shirts, black trousers, and shoes to either mute or enliven the presentation. You nailed my addictions here, obviously.
Thank you for sharing that fabulous photo of LB – like Katharine Hepburn, I've always loved her on/offscreen style – no one now does simple and style like they did then!
I don't recall feeling good in a white blouse or shirt and black pants when I was young. It's definitely something that came much later and I have half a dozen pairs of black trousers I wear in rotation but only a couple of much adored blouses (ivory silks by Jaeger and Theory) and only one proper white shirt (pure cotton Burberry at least 10 years old but still crisp and lovely).
I found the perfect pants in a variety of places so it pays to keep an open mind and keep looking and trying everywhere you can. I have washable pairs from Zara and old M&S (they used to be brilliant pre 2006 for work pants) to wooly ones from Banana Republic to Giuletta and Carven. It's a great base for lots of jewels/scarves and red lippy. Again, I shied away from red lipstick for decades but there are shades to suit everyone and there's no substitute to trying it on your own lips! Chanel is always a great start – for a gentler intro try their lighter, more moisterising version which comes in a thinner case called the Rouge Coco Shine range. I have it in a mid pink for myself for a lovely natural glow but I'm sure they must have red shades. It's easy to apply with no need for precision and will plump up your lips!Awesome blog over here! Thanks for sharing this very useful information about the mens linen shirt.
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Love the combo and use it often. But my white shirt (Jones New York) cost £1 in a charity shop SALE, and my black trousers are from Save the Children shop – Jaeger, pure wool, fully lined. £3.49.