Elegant, Timeless and Versatile: How This "Boring" Basic Became a Capsule-Wardrobe Staple

Few pieces are as timeless as the white shirt. Understated and versatile, it presents a blank canvas for endless outfits. As we enter the chillier months, it's time for this staple to really shine. Already, we're seeing influencers and celebs tossing a white shirt on with jeans, long skirts and tailored trousers—the resulting looks always feel effortless. So, it's time to grab that neglected white shirt from the back of your wardrobe, or invest in a fresh, high-quality iteration, and unlock this underrated item's potential.

As always, we've enlisted the help of some of Instagram's best dressers to guide how you wear your white shirt for autumn. Minimalists will be pleased to see a handful of streamlined, unfussy outfits in the following list, but there are also some enviable examples of out-of-the-box styling. Each look features a basic white shirt, and each is easy to recreate for the season ahead using pieces you already own. Cue the best white shirt outfits of autumn 2024...

6 Timeless White Shirt Outfits That Are Perfect For Autumn/Winter 2024 Dressing:

1. White Shirt + Tailored Trousers + Ballet Flats

White shirt outfits: @anoukyve wears a white shirt and grey trousers

(Image credit: @anoukyve)

Style Notes: Tailoring and shirting might be a traditional match, but there are easy ways to make the combination feel contemporary. Take note from Anouk and add a playful pair of ballet flats to dress the look down and give it a 2024 spin.

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2. White Shirt + Pleated Skirt + Strappy Mules

White shirt outfits: @daniellejinadu

(Image credit: @daniellejinadu)

Style Notes: Prepare to see pleated midi skirts everywhere you look this autumn and winter. Unsure how to wear yours? White and cream is a tried-and-tested pairing for any season—if it ain't broke...

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3. White Shirt + Baggy Jeans + Trench Coat

White shirt outfits: @sylviemus_ wears a white shirt and baggy jeans

(Image credit: @sylviemus_)

Style Notes: Sylvie delivers a masterclass in making a white shirt look chic with her effortless trench-and-jeans ensemble. The kitten mules tick a huge trend box, bringing the entire outfit together.

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4. White Shirt + Blazer + Maxi Skirt

white shirt outfits: @juliesfi wears a white shirt and maxi skirt

(Image credit: @juliesfi)

Style Notes: Lean into the tailored silhouette of your white button-down by teaming it with a long, structured skirt. By opting for a tonal look, Julie keeps the outfit looking put-together.

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5. White Shirt + Vest + Barrel-Leg Trousers

white shirt outfits: @brittanybathgate wears a white shirt with black trousers

(Image credit: @brittanybathgate)

Style Notes: I just love how a crisp white shirt looks with black. Make like Brittany and layer a neutral knit vest over your shirt while it's still cold out, before adding the trousers and t-bar Mary Janes.

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6. White Shirt + Track Pants + Loafers

white shirt outfits: @rebeccaferrazwyatt_ wears a white shirt with track pants

(Image credit: @rebeccaferrazwyatt)

Style Notes: Looking to dress down your white shirt and loafers combo for those more casual days? Fashion people are using track pants as a cool way to make their white shirts look slightly more relaxed but no less chic.

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Freelance Fashion Editor

Bébhinn Campbell is an Edinburgh-based fashion and lifestyle writer and editor. She started her first blog at age 14 and went on to intern at print and digital publications in Berlin and London, including Dazed & Confused and Indie magazine.

A job at a fashion startup took Bébhinn from Ireland to Scotland in 2019, where she now works as a freelance journalist and copywriter covering everything from travel and interiors to styling advice. As a contributor to Who What Wear, Bébhinn always keeps her eyes peeled for emerging trends and looks worth writing about. She prides herself on her ability to cut through the noise and identify solid investment buys, exciting new brands and fresh takes on classic design.

In her spare time, Bébhinn enjoys perusing Edinburgh’s best vintage shops, working through her out-of-control book collection and watching dog reels on Instagram.