Oxford Blues
August is when many fashion directors take a moment to prepare us for fall. Keeping up with all the online and print editions of fall fashion can be more than any one woman can handle alone. Thankfully, I receive help from friends, family, and clients!
Last week I received a text from a client (and friend) asking if TSALT would be carrying the “one piece of clothing every woman should own.” You can imagine my reaction…I certainly hope so! I followed her link to an article by Meehal Mistry, the Wall Street Journal‘s fashion director, where she thoughtfully defended her passion for the classic blue shirt.
I was immediately relieved that 1) I had this powerful item covered already, and 2) so did TSALT!
So why is this somewhat mundane piece of clothing so relevant to be touted as the one item a fashion editor could hypothetically wear for years? Let’s break it down visually.
Color
Finding the perfect blue is one of my requirements — this is where I become a color snob. While there are a variety of blues, ones that are soft and silvery or have a hint of cornflower blue are my favorites. When there is too much saturation, the entire value of the shirt changes in my opinion.
Fit
Understanding the type of fit you desire is key. If you prefer your shirts to be classically tailored, start with the correct shoulder fit and then I advise having them tailored in the arm and body.
Frame’s Worn In Button Down Shirt, shown above, was one of the shirts referenced in the WSJ article…the one TSALT has and is selling out of fast! Below the style is represented in a stripe — the blue color was not available in an image — however, it is stylist approved!
If you love the relaxed fit of another boyfriend type shirt, things get easier but you still don’t want to look like the shirt is swallowing you up. TSALT has the perfect boyfriend length in the perfect color — the one I purchased last summer and absolutely love mainly for the color and the sleeve length, which is shorter, so less bulk with the roll. It’s a staple with M.i.h and can be special ordered if you are interested. Note that most women size in XS, S, and M since this style is over-sized in nature.
As Ms. Mistry stated in her article, a great blue shirt will looks great on a variety of skin tones and has the ability to make you look more tan! While there are many ways to wear this staple item, I prefer the subtly, sexy approach described perfectly by Meehal:
Leave two buttons undone and roll the sleeves to your elbows and you simultaneously expose your décolleté as well as the slim forearms and wrists. Meanwhile the just-voluminous-enough body can disguise any manner of sins, if need be.
I hope you’ll go and try on the ones at TSALT. We carry a variety of this type of staple and can always fit you for a special order. I’ll leave you with some of my favorite inspiration looks of Oxford Blues!
