The Fashion Memo

3 Fresh Ways To Style A Shirt

A shirt is more than just a versatile staple – it’s a true wardrobe hero. When cut with precision and styled with intent, it has the power to add polish to any ensemble, day or night. Here, we explore three modern ways to wear this hard-working piece, from the office to off-duty and beyond

Words Eanna Morrison BarrsFashion editor Millie Parry
Fashion

Ever since Matthieu Blazy sent three shirts down the runway at his spring/summer 2026 Chanel debut, we’ve been contemplating the shirt’s endless styling potential. An undisputed foundation of any spring capsule wardrobe, Blazy proved there’s more to this hero piece than its role as a workwear essential when he collaborated with storied French shirtmaker Charvet – a NET-A-PORTER team favorite – whose bespoke creations are worn by everyone from Nicole Kidman to Kate Moss. With the right styling tricks up your sleeve, a shirt can transition seamlessly from the office to off-duty settings – and has after-dark appeal, too.

Grece Ghanem oozes chic confidence in an asymmetric shirt by Bottega Veneta at Paris Fashion Week

It’s no surprise that a great shirt and tailoring make the ultimate power pairing. Invest in a crisp button-down and a well-cut suit and you’ll have an office uniform you can rely on for years to come. In 2026, however, we’re looking beyond the usual suspects of white, pale blue and navy, opting instead for shirting in bolder shades. Toteme’s pink-and-white striped style is just the ticket, adding a much-needed dose of color to pared-back corporate wardrobes. The hue goes particularly well with Stella McCartney’s gray pleated pants and chocolate-brown accessories – namely Bottega Veneta’s new ‘Charlotte’ ballet flats, which must be among the chicest commuter-friendly shoes on the market, and the inimitably covetable ‘Faye’ bowling-style tote from The Row. Add Cartier’s iconic Panthère de Cartier watch and there will be no doubt you mean business at your next board meeting.

  • TOTEME
    Striped organic cotton-poplin shirt
    €350.00
    Select a Size
    32
    34
    36
    38
    40
    42 - out of stock
    44
  • STELLA MCCARTNEY
    Pleated wool-blend straight-leg pants
    €890.00
    Select a Size
    34
    36 - low stock
    38
    40 - low stock
    42 - low stock
    44 - low stock
    46
    48 - out of stock
  • BOTTEGA VENETA
    Charlotte intrecciato leather ballet flats
    €990.00
    Select a Size
    35
    36
    37 - low stock
    37.5 - out of stock
    38 - low stock
    38.5 - out of stock
    39 - out of stock
    39.5 - out of stock
    40
    41 - out of stock
    42 - out of stock
  • TWP
    Big Joe striped cotton-poplin shirt
    €600.00
    Select a Size
    XXS
    XS/S
    M/L

When it comes to dressing down a shirt, fit is the first place to start. A boxier, relaxed silhouette exudes effortless ease – especially when paired with casual, wide-leg pants or jeans. Style TWP’s intentionally oversized ‘Big Joe’ shirt with The Row’s cult ‘Gala’ pants for an off-duty outfit that oozes comfort yet appears elevated. Worn partially unbuttoned – or fully open over a tank or tee – the New York-based label’s classic cotton-poplin design looks borrowed from the boys, in the best possible way. Add a pair of black D-frame sunglasses from Prada Eyewear and slip into Toteme’s squared-toe flip flops, and you’ll have a look that’s perfectly cool-girl coded for a Sunday stroll or a weekend getaway, wherever you’re headed.

  • TWP
    Big Joe cotton-poplin shirt
    €475.00
    Select a Size
    XXS
    XS/S
    M/L
  • SOPHIE BUHAI
    Gold vermeil jasper necklace
    €495.00
  • THE ROW
    Essentials Gala crepe wide-leg pants
    €1,180.00
    Select a Size
    0 - out of stock
    2
    4
    6 - out of stock
    8
    10 - out of stock
    12 - out of stock
    14 - out of stock
  • VALESQUE
    Thea leather-trimmed satin-shell tote bag
    €180.00
An oversized, relaxed shirt exudes effortless ease – especially when paired with jeans, à la Zoë Kravitz
A skirt allows you to personalize your shirted look with a playful twist
Actor Jessie Buckley working Matthieu Blazy’s white Chanel shirt to perfection

Who says a shirt can’t be worn out after 7pm? The so-called ‘Our Lady of the Sleeve’, Carolina Herrera, has been showing us that this timeless staple pairs beautifully with voluminous, full-length skirts since the early ’80s – which is exactly what the brand’s sculptural-sleeved ‘Arc’ shirt is made for. And while Herrera would style it tucked in with a belt, we think Blazy’s Chanel show styling – as replicated by Jessie Buckley in LA – feels far more modern.

Channel the Oscar-winning actor’s look by wearing a white shirt (freshly pressed and, crucially, worn untucked) with Colleen Allen’s jersey maxi skirt (a NET SUSTAIN highlight). Asymmetric hemlines and fringed detailing will earn you extra style points, but the key to taking this outfit from desk to dinner lies in the accessories – think Saint Laurent’s glossy leather ‘Babylone’ slingbacks, Khaite’s elegantly elongated ‘Donna’ clutch and a gold necklace from Foundrae.

  • CAROLINA HERRERA
    Arc cotton-blend poplin shirt
    €1,255.00
    Select a Size
    0
    2 - out of stock
    4 - low stock
    6 - low stock
    8
    10 - low stock
    12
  • KHAITE
    Donna snake-effect leather clutch
    €2,290.00
  • COLLEEN ALLEN
    Stretch TENCEL™, silk and cashmere-blend maxi skirt
    €800.00
    Select a Size
    x small - out of stock
    small - low stock
    medium - low stock
    large - out of stock
    x large - out of stock
  • SAINT LAURENT
    Babylone embellished glossed-leather slingback pumps
    €1,090.00
    Select a Size
    EU 34
    EU 34.5
    EU 35
    EU 35.5
    EU 36
    EU 36.5
    EU 37 - low stock
    EU 37.5
    EU 38 - low stock
    EU 38.5 - out of stock
    EU 39 - low stock
    EU 39.5 - low stock
    EU 40 - low stock
    EU 40.5
    EU 41 - out of stock
    EU 41.5
    EU 42
    EU 42.5
    EU 43
    EU 43.5
    EU 33
    EU 33.5

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