WHAT TO WEAR THIS WEEKEND
BIG COLLAR SHIRT
NOT JUST WORKWEAR
REMEMBER the classic white shirt? Perhaps you used to wear one to the office, but now it’s hard to remember whether it’s monday or Friday and your wardrobe has blended into one long day on repeat. Well, I’m here to offer it up as the perfect ‘late lockdown’ style formula.
If you’re sick of wearing comfy loungewear, but the idea of donning a formal party dress at your kitchen table seems ridiculous, the white shirt with a twist is that sweet spot between smart and casual that feels right for now.
SUPERSIZE YOUR COLLAR
What you’re after is a BC shirt — that’s big Collar and not before Covid — a trend kickstarted by Danish label Ganni.
I know they may seem scary. I had party dresses in the eighties with collars like this and was worried I’d feel eight again, even without the patent shoes.
but having embraced the look, I’ve realised the supersize collar does for the neck what puff sleeves have been doing for arms — they’re fun, flattering and easy to wear.
my husband disagrees: for him they fall into the trend disaster zone along with dungarees. but as a mood-lifter, a BC shirt will raise a smile and put you on the ‘made an effort’ side of the fence.
KEEP THE REST SIMPLE
all the focus is on the collar, so keep everything else simple. I’ve teamed mine with a slip skirt and belt to create waist definition — perfect for a socially distanced BBQ, even if I’m mainly at home in jeans.
there are plenty of coloured variations of this shirt, although to me white always signals fresh starts. and if you get stains on it after cooking bolognese for the umpteenth time, just put it on a hot wash and it will come out dazzling again.