A white blouse almost never goes out of style. Every woman should own at least one, and probably several, of this example of classic women’s clothing.

A white silk blouse is appropriate for women’s career clothes. It moves with ease from executive suite to evening social event. A white cotton blouse can look as good with jeans as with a business suit. Look for a bit of Dacron or Spandex in the cotton blend to cut down on ironing.

A nice blouse in crisp white can add a fresh look to many outfits. A good-fitting, flattering blouse is an effective way to stretch our clothing dollars and update our wardrobes. Make sure that your white blouse fits properly and flatters your body type. Here are some basics for making sure this classic women’s clothing wardrobe purchase fits properly and is right for you.

• The shoulder seam should line up with the edge of your shoulder. This seam should not be lower than the place where the shoulder curves steeply downward. If the shoulder seam is higher than your armpit, you will almost certainly feel the shirt binding up uncomfortably when you try it on.
• The poet’s shirt may comes in many colors but is at its finest as a white cotton blouse. It usually is worn outside of your slacks or skirt. It may even be used as a light jacket, with a T-shirt or tank top underneath. It’s especially easy to buy this style too big, because it is billowy anyway. Check your side image in a mirror. If you look like you are pregnant, try a smaller size shirt.
• Shirts look neater and flatter the waist when tucked in. Look for a shirt with enough fabric past the waistline so that it won’t pop out of waistbands. Conversely, too much tucked-in fabric can be bulky and spoil the smooth line around our hips.
• Make sure that long-sleeve shirts cover the wrist bone without covering part of the hand. If you work at a desk, you may want to roll your sleeves to keep them from becoming dirty and frayed. Safari style shirts, with buttons to hold up the sleeves, are ideal.
• Pockets, ruffles, pleated fronts, and embroidery flatter a woman who wants to enhance her bustline. All of these features are best avoided by a full figured woman who wants to draw attention away from her cleavage.

A new classic in women’s clothing is the fitted silk T-shirt or knit top. This is a fine alternative to a white silk blouse. A ribbed pattern adds a sporty touch. Flat silk knits finishes are more upscale. These come in many sleeve lengths and necklines, including mock turtleneck, crew, V, and sweetheart.

It’s not too much to own more than one white blouse. Choose several so you have this perennial fashion favorite in different styles, fabrics, and sleeve lengths. A sparkling white shirt is crisp, trim, and may be worn with diverse outfits and in many different contexts. Versatility is the definition of a good wardrobe investment, so never hesitate to add a white shirt to your wardrobe.