Winter’s ‘it’ fashion item is amazingly attainable (and you may already own one)

In cooler months, coats and jackets dominate fashion headlines like Margot Robbie on the red carpet, but a new style star is lurking beneath extravagant exteriors. The humble shirt is the new “it” item of the season, banishing skirts, handbags and outerwear to second billing or below.

We don’t mean blouses, which are soft and billowing, but shirts that offer structure as well as sophistication. Apart from being the simplest way to tap into the tailoring trend, shirts are becoming evening-wear alternatives to chilly halterneck tops and a weekend upgrade to well-worn T-shirts.

Here are the styles worth breaking out the iron for and how to wear them.

The safari shirt

Forget trying to tame this piece beneath a jumper because the utilitarian chest pockets just add unwelcome bulk. This is a statement item that should be let out into the wild and is most versatile in camel and khaki tones. Dress it up with a matching skirt for a contemporary take on the safari suit, or add jeans for a casual look with bite. In a thicker cotton, the safari shirt can double as a shacket, worn with ease over a tank top. Remember that the pockets are best used for decoration unless you want to spend hours searching for your house keys or credit card.

The evening shirt

You can borrow from men’s collections by indulging in a set of studs and cufflinks with a traditional dinner shirt sporting a winged collar, double cuffs and a pleated placket, but don’t be afraid to buck tradition. Feminine versions in sheer fabrics with delicate trims offer the sort of androgynous appeal harnessed by vamps such as Marlene Dietrich and Angelina Jolie. Add a lace skirt with high heels for instant femme fatale status.

The business shirt

If you’ve already tapped into the tie trend, you understand the appeal of a business shirt with the perfect fit. The cotton should skim the body, preventing unnecessary fabric gathering at the sides when you tuck yourself in. Thinner fabrics are best beneath suit jackets, but pay attention to undergarments because lace or embellished bras might interrupt your streamlined appearance. Don’t limit yourself to white. Try colours that match your trousers or jacket for tonal impact.

The striped shirt

Tick two trends in one with this preppy staple. We know that striped shirts look great with jeans or pants, providing an opportunity to flaunt your favourite belt, but have you tried wearing one on top of a maxi-skirt? Leave the shirt untucked and add extra starch when ironing to achieve the same contrast between stiffness on top and volume below. Think of it as the outfit equivalent of the mullet hairstyle with business on top and party at the bottom.

The shirt dress

On their own, shirt dresses can be breezy wardrobe workhorses that highlight the sculptural appeal of cotton. Autumn offers an opportunity to experiment with layering beneath conservative crew neck jumpers or long line coats. Knee-high boots will keep the look grounded.

Fashion editor: Penny McCarthy. Hair: David Keough using John Frieda. Make-up: Heidi Scarlett King using Merit. Fashion assistant: Abbey Stockwell. Models: Catriona at Merci, Coco at Priscillas, Nynke at Kult.

Stockists: Alma Ines; Christensen Copenhagen; Loro Piana; Max Mara; Valentino; Wynn Hamlyn.

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