At the recently-held Ambani bash, Shraddha Kapoor hit all the right style notes when she wore a Manish Malhotra beaded number on a white shirt giving a new definition to the classic pinafore. This week, Parineeti Chopra teamed hers with a Baroque waistcoat infusing it with a boho potion. A few weeks ago, Sridevi had worn it with a pair of denims at the airport and Sonakshi Sinha had clubbed it with a pair of sneakers. The white shirt has always been the wardrobe staple and of late, seen on the runways of Jacquemus and Off-White, who’ve redefined and refined it, thus making it drool-worthy. A few seasons ago, designer Monisha Jaising had styled her showstopper Lisa Haydon in a white knotted blouse with a leather lehenga, thus reimagining the new Goth bride. Runway stories aside, it’s interesting to see its evolution in B-Town. We ask experts to suggest refreshing ways to style the closet chameleon...
A PALATE CLEANSER
It’s a given that when in doubt, opt for the white shirt. Belt it up, cinch it at the waist a la Carrie Bradshaw in Sex And The City or layer it with a sheer embroidered mini like Shraddha.
Malini Banerji, Acting Editor, Elle India suggests that it’s a great way of balancing things out in any ensemble under the sun. “I have a massive collection of white shirts and it adds the much-needed gravitas to the whole look. It has that uncanny ability to make any ensemble more refined, chic and put together,” says she.
“I have a white shirt by designer Savio Jon with fishnet detailing all around the neckline. I think that detail is a cool and unexpected addition to the classic. In fashion, it’s interesting to see how the white shirt keeps getting played up on the runways. Labels like Jacquemus and Off-White have upcycled it in a cool way. It’s about how we weave it in a visual language, which is closer to where we are and our culture. Also, it’s age-neutral and suits every body structure and one can’t go wrong with it,” she adds.
PINAFORE MAKES A COMEBACK
Last season, one saw the redux of the white shirt with designers across the board playing with its collar, making it one-shoulder or tying it around the waist. In fact, ZARA did a few pieces, which came with an illustration guide on how to wear it. Stylist Isha Bhansali calls it sugar in a bakery shop. “It can make anything work — from a couture piece to a distressed pair of denims. Shraddha wore it with a couture piece, which was an off-the-wall way. Also, one doesn’t need to buy something new as it’s economical,” she says.
UPGRADE IT FOR A PARTY
Designer Aniket Satam observes that it can be easily upgraded for the festive season. “Wear it with an ornate lehenga or a delicately embroidered strappy dress and pull off a high-end pinafore look for a fun brunch. For day, team it with a crisp cotton sari, style it with rolled up sleeves and complete your look with a stack of handcrafted wooden bangles,” he says.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Sridevi, Sonakshi Sinha, Shraddha Kapoor and Parineeti Chopra")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}