Basics: A white shirt.

So I've been wanting to blog for awhile now on the basics every woman should own. The first in my installment is a basic white button-up shirt. I own several; my favorites come from J. Crew, mainly because the fabrics they use are so light and give the impression of an effortless chic.

When purchasing the perfect button-up shirt, there are a few rules to abide by:
-Avoid shirts that are too heavy or crisp. Shy away from polyester blends and go more toward cotton shirts, that breathe more and don't require an excess amount of ironing. The idea is not to look like you are about to go be a waitress at a restaurant or walk into a business meeting.
-Pockets are good, but don't load on too many. One or two near the bust area is just fine, but make sure they're not too big or don't have any distracting metal buttons on them.
-Opt for darts. Darts differentiate your shirt from your boyfriend's or husband's, since they actually acknowledge that it was made for a woman.
-Roll up your sleeves for an effortless feel.
-Don't get shirts with too many frou-frou elements. Anyone who knows me knows I'm a sucker for a big ribbon or obnoxious ruffle, but save that for your cardigan that you can layer over your shirt, or for your shoes or headband. Keep this white shirt minimal and basic, and you can wear it for many more occasions.
-Don't wear your shirt with any sort of black pant. Whether it's black jeans, slacks or tights, avoid pairing these two clothing staples because chances are, you'll probably end up looking like a waitress. And no one wants that. Instead, pair the shirt with shorts, a skirt or washed-out blue jeans.
-Don't buy too tight. The shirt shouldn't cling to your body; it should be airy and light, and how can it be those two things if you're suffocating from the fabric clinging to your skin? Keep it a little bit loose-- just not too loose, or else it'll look like you bought the wrong size.

These are some of my current favorites:

1. J. Crew tissue roll-up camp shirt, cotton, $59.50. (Photo from jcrew.com)
2. GAP Dobby striped tie-sleeve shirt, cotton, $48.00. (Photo from gap.com)
3. BCBG textured stripe top, rayon and cotton, $110.60. (Photo from bcbg.com)