Whether you’re here because you already live in white tshirts or want to feel more confident styling them, you’re in the right place.
Hello and welcome. I’m Alessia, the writer and founder behind Italy with an Italian.
For years, I avoided white tshirts for two reasons: I thought they looked too casual and made me look frumpy, and I was convinced white didn’t suit me at all.
Turns out, I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Today, white tshirts are one of my favorite pieces to style because they’re simple, versatile, and surprisingly chic when worn the right way. In this post, I’ll show you why they deserve a place in your wardrobe and how to style a white tshirt like an Italian woman.
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How To Style A White Tshirt With Jeans
If you’re wearing a white tshirt, chances are you’re going to be wearing it with jeans. It’s everyone’s go to easy casual chic outfit.
While there’s this general belief that Italians dislike jeans, it’s actually the opposite. What Italians don’t like is wearing jeans in a way that looks frumpy, and that can often be the case when you pair them with a simple white T-shirt.
That’s why starting right here makes the most sense. Once you get how Italians like to dress up their white tshirt and jeans outfits, you’re going to appreciate all the other looks I have curated for you even more.
Let’s see them.
White Tshirt, Blue Jeans and Blazer
Of course, the most Italian way to dress up a white tshirt and jeans is going to involve adding a blazer. There’s nothing a little bit of tailoring can’t dress up!
Read more about this: Tailored Style Explained: The Italian Way To Dress Chic
I am going to share two very similar outfits, but one is more suitable for fall and winter, while the other works for both early fall and early spring.
What do you see?
While the outfits have a similar color palette and outfit formula, the silhouettes and style is completely different. The first feels more classic, but the kind of classic you go back to.
The second is the one I prefer, even though it’s important for us petite ladies to nail the proportions of that kind of outfit. It’s important we balance how baggy those jeans and blazer are, and also make sure the blazer stops at the perfect length for our short bodies.
White T-shirt and White Jeans
I know many of you love wearing all white or white and cream, so let’s see how Italian women are doing it stylishly (without looking like an ice cream man).
Most of you won’t get that insider joke, but in Italy, many ice cream vendors and makers wear all white. And my dad happened to have many friends working in that field, so I grew up hearing him tell us you’re going to look like an ice cream man whenever any of us tried an all white outfit.
The first look is completely white, though it’s a creamy white. It’s very chic, and that’s what I always think when I see someone wearing all white or cream. I just don’t like it on me. Can you see how this outfit feels tailored and elevated while also including a pair of sneakers?
The next one, includes just a bit of color, and the very old (maybe a little outdated) Italian way of tying a jumper around the waist. Yet, this woman is making it work beautifully, and that little color to break the all white outfit is adding so much to this look. Can you agree?
Also, can you see how those unique shoes make this outfit so much more interesting and edgier?
This is exactly what elevates a white tshirt outfit — the little styling details.
This third one is my favorite out of this set. It’s an outfit I see many elegant Italian women wear in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and well beyond that. And it looks beautiful every time. It’s the epitome of Italian tailoring meets casual style, the perfect outfit to wear for a casual work day or a chic errands morning.
This last one is very similar in terms of structure, but very different in terms of color palette. That little bit of added color makes this so gorgeous, especially for end of Summer and early fall. I think there’s nothing that pairs better with white, especially a creamy shade, than camel.
Having said that, it’s not a color palette that would suit me or my Winter color season sisters!!
If you don’t have a clue on what I am talking about, read this next: Simplified Color Analysis For Clothes + Steps To Do Yours
Double Denim and White Tshirt
The Milan ladies seem to be nailing all the double denim outfits lately.
Of course, this outfit looks much better on a taller woman than a petite one like me. And the heels take the outfit to another level. However, can you see how the perfect fit of each clothing piece makes the outfit look so much nicer?
By perfect I mean perfect for the woman wearing it. The jacket is a little oversized, but considering how tall the woman is and the more tailored fitted jeans, this works beautifully.
You can see more double denim looks styled here: 15 Blue Jeans Outfits From Milan
White Tshirt, Jeans and Jacket
If your style is more casual, I’d like to remind you that there’s a proper art in layering your white tshirt with casual outfits, including your basic jeans and jacket everyday looks.
This woman is the perfect example. I am not sure whether she is a local Milanese going about her day, or an Italian on holiday in Milan. This does feel like a very Italian tourist outfit to wear, but it’s a beautiful one we can all learn from. It’s also the perfect casual mom look.
That utilitarian jacket is gorgeous, and so is that little bit of color layered over the tshirt. Those shoes are certainly a statement, a little too masculine for my taste, but very well styled.
White Tshirt And Black Pants Outfits From Milan
The next pairing most of us reach out for is a white tshirt and black pants. Not only black and white is the most timeless color combination, it’s also a great way to balance an outfit, especially when it involves a pair of tailored black pants. The white t-shirt immediately dresses it down the pants, giving it a contemporary feel.
Consider this scenario:
It’s a nice day, and you decide to wear your black pants and one of your favorite white tees, put on a pair of shoes and grab a cardigan. Is that it? That’s a little too simple, at least for us Italians. I found the perfect example of how you can add just one simple accessory to style this outfit so much better.
We’re now moving to Winter, which is probably the period of the year when you’re wearing your white tshirts the least, or at least we’re not seeing them!
Here’s how clever Italian women use their white shirts to brighten things up when it’s still so cold but they are ready for Spring..
Can you see how they’re wearing their cosy and safe all black, black and grey outfits — which are very common winter colors, but adding that bright white tshirt brightens up the entire outfit, and it’s so impactful for us Winter seasons.
You know why is that?
Because the bright white tshirt is right next to our face, and we all know what Winter does to our faces!
If you’re not into darker winter palettes, you might like this very casual chic white shirt and black pants outfit which features a beautiful long cream coat.
Before we move to the next section I’d like to share a black and white outfit, but this time it involves a black skirt, in case you’re ready to switch things up.
How To Style A White T-Shirt For Work Like An Italian Woman
Wearing a white tshirt for work might be common in other countries, especially if you work in a casual environment, but it’s definitely not in Italy.
Having said that, I came across a few looks I think could work beautifully for a more creative/casual/modern workplace. Let me show you.
You can see how the first two outfits share the same concept – monochrome and tonal outfits that look like suits and involve a lot of tailoring. So the tailoring makes up for the casual white tshirt, balancing the overall outfit.
The third one feels a little retro and involves that recent trend, which I am not sure what they are calling it, but involves layering a white tshirt under a jumper. I think this woman’s take on that could work perfectly for a office look. Would you wear this? I wouldn’t, but I still thinks it works.
Casual Chic White Shirt Outfit Ideas
In this section, I am collecting all those outfits that feel perfect for travel, casual errands days, relaxed weekends, and even school days (as in university or college outfits).
I think we can agree that these outfits really work, and that holds for the more colorful youthful looking ones as well as the more classic looks.
You can also see how there are a few common behaviors around styling:
- pairing a white tshirt with a set
- keeping it fairly monochrome
- adding at least one tailored piece (a coat, a jacket, a shirt)
- wearing it with a nice pair of sneakers or loafers
White Tshirt Outfits For Women Over 50
Are you over 50 and questioning whether you should still wear white tshirts?
If the chicest Italian women over 50 are doing it, I think you can too!
Perhaps, these outfit ideas will inspire you to try something different, but that doesn’t have to involve throwing away all your white tees.
The first two ideas are perfect for travel or casual days, but think casual the Italian way. The second, on the other hand, is much more sophisticated. You could wear this to run errands or on a more special day out. You could even wear it to work, if you’re still working.
How To Make A White T Shirt Feel More Feminine
If you ever taught about making your casual white tshirt feel pretty, or even feminine, the best way is to pair it with a skirt. And here’s how Italian women are doing it.
The first outfit is very pretty, but in a modern way. The second is very Italian feminine chic.
The Coolest White T-Shirt Looks From Milan
If you’re looking for cool, unique ideas on how to style a white tshirt, these two outfits will definitely help you stand out among a crowd.
They do that very differently. One is more chic, monochrome, modern and edgy. The uniqueness stands in layering a tshirt under what looks like a suit, and then throwing a leather jacket on top. It’s a very chic Milan fashionista look.
The other one is the opposite. It’s colorful, a little odd, but in a very cool way. I would never have though of pairing those pieces together, yet they seem to work, although I would never wear that outfit. If that’s your style, I am pretty sure you would!
Read My Other Italian Fashion Guides
I shared so many outfit ideas that I am sure you found at least one or two to inspire you.
If you enjoyed seeing how Italian women take a basic clothing piece, which most of us own, and style it in a way that feels elevated, chic, and at times very unique, I suggest reading about how to style blue jeans or a white button up shirt next.
15 Blue Jeans Outfits From Milan – Effortless & Chic
How To Style A White Shirt Like An Italian Woman
And if you’re ready to build a closet that feels more intentional and put together, in line with how Italian women wear, start here: Italian Women Style: 20 Pieces To Dress Like An Italian Woman
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A presto,
Alessia
