Women's White Shirt: Silk and Cotton

The same word covers two different garments: the white day shirt, in poplin, which holds its shape and works under a jacket; and the evening shirt, in silk or broderie anglaise, which drapes rather than holds. Buying the latter with the former in mind is the most common mistake.

The fabric determines the occasion

Cotton poplin — Emporio Armani — is the structured shirt: tightly woven, opaque and easy to wear under a blazer without adding volume.

The silk and silk twill from Marella do the opposite: they do not hold their shape because they are not meant to. They drape, and on a narrow shoulder this matters more than any cut.

The broderie anglaise from MC2 Saint Barth and the lace from Pinko are textured white fabrics: they are perforated by design, so they should be considered together with what you wear underneath. It is not a flaw, but part of the garment's design.

Transparency, which is the real question

These are the three answers we give in the boutique. Under broderie anglaise and lace, wear a skin-tone top, not white: white under white creates two visible layers. Under lightweight silk, a seamless bra in the same tone as your skin is enough. Under poplin, you usually need nothing.

Sizing, which here is not a single scale

This selection includes two systems: Italian sizes (from 38 to 48) for Marella, Pinko and Emporio Armani garments, and letter sizes (S, M, L) for MC2 Saint Barth. Do not convert them by eye: the correspondence is shown in the size converter, and if in doubt, the most useful measurement to send us is your chest circumference.

Many of these garments are available as a single piece in the available size: the page shows only what is currently in stock, so if you find yours, it is worth not waiting.

Frequently asked questions

What should you wear under a sheer white shirt?

A skin-tone top or bra, not white. It may seem counterintuitive, but white under a white fabric creates a visible second layer, while skin tone disappears. With broderie anglaise and lace, which are perforated by design, it is always necessary; with good-weight poplin, almost never.

What is the right white shirt for the office?

Cotton poplin: tightly woven, it holds its shape, works under a blazer without adding volume and is not sheer. Silk and crêpe are beautiful but drape rather than hold, giving a more evening-appropriate look even in the morning.

How do you prevent it from turning yellow?

Let deodorant dry before getting dressed: residue reacts with sweat and is the most common cause of underarm stains. Then use an iron at a moderate temperature and avoid repeated bleaching, which weakens the fibre. For silk, hand-wash in cold water and never leave it in direct sunlight.

Looking for something else? the men's selection and all white shirts.