Work Your Wardrobe: Gok's Gorgeous Guide to Style that Lasts

Chapter One The White Shirt (#ulink_5030c2bc-ac2e-5075-9ca5-cd2f20d7e9ba)

THERE’S A LOT MORE TO THIS SIMPLE piece of wardrobe kit than you might think, girls. And, no matter how you like to wear your white shirt, trust me, by the time you’ve finished this chapter, you’ll be pulling it out of your wardrobe and wearing it a whole lot more.

“The white shirt has got such fabulous fashion potential!”

THE WHITE SHIRT IS A TRUE CLASSIC. THE MINUTE YOU FIND ONE THAT YOU LIKE it becomes your new best friend—you can always depend on it. But like anything we come to know and love, ladies, sometimes we can take the white shirt a teensy bit for granted. All you smart girls will undoubtedly have a white shirt in your wardrobe, but I’ll bet if I asked you how you wore it, you would probably say that it was mostly for work. Yet it’s got such fabulous style potential. Think of Marilyn Monroe in The Misfits wearing a man’s white shirt with simple jeans—she looks red hot! And that’s how your white shirt should make you feel.

Let’s take a look at THREE CLASSIC WHITE-SHIRT STYLES, and over the next couple of pages I’ll share my top tips on how to wear them.

1 the classic

THE MOST TRADITIONAL SHIRT SHAPE OF ALL IS CLEAN, CRISP AND SMART, AND WILL ALWAYS SAY ‘ELEGANT CITY CHIC’. The minute you pair it with a suit jacket and trousers, though, it can look a little too traffic-warden chick. (Come on—even all you lovely wardens out there will admit that this is not a look you’d go for if you had the choice!) So let’s clock in and whip that ‘work-uniform’ element right out of the classic white by loosening it up and bringing it bang up to date.

”Dressing down is the new dressing up and this look nails that style perfectly.“

· NATURAL BEAUTY

Dressing down is the new dressing up and this look nails that style perfectly. Opt for a shirt that’s a size or two bigger and you’ve got classic boyfriend style. Or just nick one from your other half and give it a soft, feminine touch. (Don’t worry, he won’t notice—until he sees how fab you look in it! Girls look so sexy in oversized men’s shirts.) Because this is the perfect look for casual days, just wear it as big and baggy as you want, then raid your accessories drawer and add a few girlie touches—quilted ballet pumps and some long necklaces, say. If you are going to be heading out for drinks at some point, style it plain and loose over smart ankle-skimming trousers with some high, high heels. Or just pair it with your favourite denims and boots for a trés sexy look.

· UPTOWN GIRL

This is all about classic workwear with a sharp, sexy edge, and it’s a style that I think looks good on women of any shape and age. The shirt should skim your figure, not cling to it. And let’s give those suit trousers that you pull out for work every day a rest for a while. Pull out a figure-enhancing pencil skirt instead. (I’m sure you’ve got one hanging in there, sassy girl.) Wear your shirt with a fitted waistcoat (Victoria Beckham pulls this look off beautifully), roll up the sleeves, add heels and a slim patent belt (or any of your trusted big, sexy waist-cinchers) to show you mean business.

Gok’s FIT TIPS

THE CLASSIC

1. GORGEOUS PEARS A classic white shirt will show off your ladylike waist, and if your shirt has a wide collar, it will balance out your bottom half.

2. CURVY CHICKS Keep it baggy around the waist and buttoned low at the neckline, as this will slim down your top half, reduce the cling factor around your tummy and focus all attention on your Betty Grable-like pins!

3. PETITE PRINCESS Be careful not to go too big or baggy, as that will just swamp your dainty frame, and, let’s face it, the tent was never a good look, especially on you, gorgeous!

“My beautiful darlings, don’t forget to pull up your sleeves. You’ll be amazed at how it changes your look!”

Gok’s FIT TIPS

THE PUSSY BOW

1. This extra-ladylike look is a great one for my sexy girls who are slim on top: there’s so much detail going on around the top half that your elegant neck will be the focus point.

2. If you don’t like the idea of being too buttoned up, or looking like a nun in The Sound of Music, undo the top button, leave the neck open and let the ties hang soft and loose around the neckline.

3. Different fabrics create different styles: silky pussy bow blouses have a sophisticated feel, while cotton versions will be crisp and cool for the office or look fab dressed down with jeans.

2 the pussy bow

A BIG, BEAUTIFUL, FLOPPY BOW AT THE NECKLINE OF YOUR SHIRT ADDS A WHOLE NEW DIMENSION TO CLASSIC OFFICE STYLE—not to mention a much needed flash of glamour around the photocopier. It’s also a great office-to-bar option. If your pussy bow has detachable ties, all the better: you’re getting two blouses for one. One shirt, so many options—gorgeous!

· NICE AND SIMPLE

Loosen the bow so that the ties hang down in a knot just above your bust, tuck the shirt into that pair of favourite straight-cut blue jeans and wear a cardie casually on top. Popping out to lunch with the girls? Slip on those do-all ballet pumps and pull the look together with any of your handbags that have buckles or metal detail on them—in black, brown or tan—for a soupçon of French chic.

· GORGEOUSLY GIRLIE

You can really go over the top on the prettiness of this style by tying the bow as big and flouncy as possible at the neck—think of it as a gorgeous big ribbon—and pairing it with a girlie shaped skirt. A tulip or a bell style skirt would look the business, too. Don’t forget to add that all-important va va voom factor with a pair of your favourite stilettos. High-waisted trousers would also look good if you prefer not to wear skirts. Silky pyjama-style pants will ooze Old Hollywood glamour—think Katharine Hepburn—paired with some great wedge heels.

Gok’s FIT TIPS

THE WRAP

1. The wrapover shirt will suit all my busty beauties who would prefer not to look too top-heavy: it will flatter your gorgeous curves in all the right places. A three-quarter-length sleeve version will balance your shape by focusing attention on your small waist.

2. The plunging V-neck of a wrapover makes it a perfect option for any of you ladies who say ‘no’ to diets but who want to make your top half look slimmer, as it has a narrowing effect.

3. If you are one of my girls who has that annoying problem of shirts gaping across the bust, the wrap is for you.

3 the wrap

I KNOW THAT LOADS OF MY GIRLS LIKE THIS STYLE FOR WORK, AND I THINK THAT THE WRAP IS A GREAT ALTERNATIVE TO THE CLASSIC WHITE SHIRT. It always looks smart and city-like, but doesn’t feel too buttoned up, so it’s the perfect style for all you ladies who like a more relaxed look.

· A CHOICE CLASSIC

This is a great style for the office or for off-duty days. To stop it looking too matronly (some wrap shirts can have an ageing effect by making you look too square on top, so watch out!), go for a wrap with detail, such as an extra-wide collar or big, puffy sleeves. Pair it with black three-quarter-length narrow—or cigarette—pants and plain pumps for Audrey Hepburn-esque chic.

“The wrap is a great alternative to the classic white shirt…it’s a great option for all my older girls who like a more relaxed look.”

· NIGHT AND THE CITY

A wrap shirt tucked into a sexy pencil skirt and—at the point where the shirt crosses over—pinned with a big, glam brooch looks fab for evening. Accessorising like this has been a real trend on the catwalks lately—it reminds me of those sexy Givenchy styles. The most brilliant thing about this outfit, though, is that it’s so easy to pull off: just pin a brooch on to your shirt, leave your jacket hanging loosely over your shoulders, sling on a pair of black stilettos and, beautiful, you’re ready to sashay on into cocktail hour.

“The wrap will flatter your curves in all of the right places. It also has a narrowing effect at the waist. Gorgeous!”

1 the classic

2 the pussy bow

3 the classic

4 the wrap

5 the pussy bow

“The white shirt is a true classic. Like your best friend, you can always depend on it.”

Gok’s style glossary

My at-a-glance guide to other shirt styles