3 Classic White Shirt

This is an important closet staple that is both trendy (worn underneath your fave t-shirt) and classic (worn with a business suit). Head to stores like the Gap for high quality, basic cotton shirts well under $50.

Back in January, I wrote about caring for your classic, white shirt.

Check out #2 The Perfect Jeans or#4 The LBD…

Image courtesy of Gap.com

Red Wine Spills and Other Style Emergencies

Like most fashionistas, I hate to get caught in the midst of a style disaster. Like when you’re out for drinks with friends wearing your brand-new, cream military style jacket and someone accidentally tips their glass of red wine onto it. If you’re accident prone to like I am, you shouldn’t be without a Fashion 911 Kit consisting of six inexpensive items.

1.Tide To-Go Pen

These little gems work on multiple fabrics like cotton, denim and even linen. They erase stains from coffee to red wine. You can get a great deal on Tide Pens at Costco for a super pack.

2.Double Sided Tape

This tool works great when you’re wearing a top with thin straps that requires a bra but the strap keeps appearing from under your top. Place the double sided tape on your bra strap and be worry free. If you wear super low-cut dresses that must stay in place, attach the tape to the underside of the dress and stick directly on your breasts.

3. Band Aids

Apart from the obvious cuts or blisters, you probably never thought of placing band-aids over your nipples. While rocking a slinky top without a bra why spend money on pricey nipple covers when band aids works just as well?

4. Maxi Pads

a. If you have to stand in closed toe heels all day no doubt your feet get uncomfortable from the hard soles and trapped heat. Slip in an ultra thin maxi pad to absorb the sweat and cushion your soles. Trust me, it’s cheaper than incessantly buying insoles and nobody will ever know. At the end of the night, go to the washroom and thrown them in the trash, your date will be none the wiser.

5. Spanx

There isn’t a celeb out there who doesn’t wear Spanx underneath their gown on the red carpet to smooth bulges and erase panty lines. Spanx can be pricey, so buy them in nude, wash by hand and they’ll last for years to come. If you’re on a super tight budget, cut old stockings at mid-thigh height and wear them like Spanx (this is where the idea for Spanx came from).

6. Needle, Thread & Safety Pins

You never know when you’re traveling for work and a button pops off your coat or your trouser hem gets caught in your stiletto and you need a quick fix. Safety pins also work great for women who need to pin that embarrassing bra-exposing gape on their button down shirt.

Different Versions of the Classic Shirt

Aside from the Chanel 2.55, you should invest in a crisp, white shirt.  A classic white shirt can be worn tucked in, cinched at the waist, or loose and fancy free.  It can be accessorized with a black belt, a tie or, my favourite,  a long necklace.  Pair it with a skirt, trousers, leggings, cardigans, vests…the lists go on and on.

Nordstrom offers some good value, quality white shirts that range from the classic cut to the trendy boyfriend style.

Care of your shirt

Because I am warm pretty much all of the time, my shirts tend to turn an undesirable shade of yellow in places like the underarm region.  To solve this problem, I used to invest in a white shirt every season.  That was until I discovered Oxiclean.  I love this product because it has saved my shirts and the expense of a new shirt each year.

After trying everything from bleach to vinegar to the power of the sun, I was skeptical that Oxiclean would work.  After testing both the liquid and powder, I found the powder to be most effective when dissolved in hot water creating a paste.  Rub this paste under the arm of the shirt (obviously take the shirt off first!) and let it soak in a sink full of Oxiclean overnight.

In the morning, toss the pre-soaked shirt in the laundry with your regular detergent and wait.  You will be so excited when you pull your shirts out of the machine looking brand new.  You can even use Oxiclean on colours…I know, it’s the cleaning product that keeps on giving.

Oxiclean is the best thing you can do to prolong the life of your new investment–the classic, white shirt.