What to Wear With a White Shirt: 15 Outfits
A white shirt goes with almost any trouser colour. Here are 15 outfits for office, weddings, evenings and weekends, with the trousers and shoes for each.
A white shirt goes with almost everything. The safest pairings are navy, grey, black, beige and olive trousers, and blue jeans. Wear it tucked with dark trousers and leather shoes for the office, open over a T-shirt with chinos at the weekend, or under a bandhgala for a wedding. Here are fifteen outfits that work, by occasion.
The quick pairing table
| Trousers | Shoes | Feel |
|---|---|---|
| Navy | Brown or black | Sharp, safe for any office |
| Charcoal or grey | Black | Formal, clean |
| Black | Black | Evening, minimal |
| Beige or khaki | Brown, tan, white sneakers | Relaxed, summery |
| Olive | Brown, white sneakers | Casual, earthy |
| Blue jeans | White sneakers, loafers, boots | Weekend classic |
| White or cream | Tan loafers | Summer, daytime functions |
For every pairing in more depth, including belts and layers, see the white shirt combination guide.
For the office
1. White shirt, navy trousers, brown shoes
The most dependable office outfit there is. Tuck it, add a brown belt to match the shoes.
2. White shirt, charcoal trousers, black shoes
More formal. Right for interviews, client meetings and presentations.
3. White shirt, beige chinos, tan loafers
Business casual for summer. Sleeves rolled once in the afternoon.
4. White shirt, grey trousers, navy blazer
The classic smart-casual uniform. No tie needed.
For weddings and functions
5. White shirt under a bandhgala
A deep-coloured bandhgala, maroon, bottle green or navy, with matching trousers and brown or black shoes. The white collar edge keeps it fresh.
6. White shirt, cream trousers, Nehru jacket
Ideal for daytime functions and pujas. A pastel or textured Nehru jacket adds colour.
7. White shirt, black suit
For evening receptions. Add a dark tie or leave the collar open.
For dates and evenings
8. White shirt, black jeans, black Chelsea boots
Simple and sharp. Leave the top button open.
9. White shirt, dark indigo jeans, brown loafers
Tucked with a belt for dinner, out for drinks.
10. White shirt, olive trousers, suede shoes
A warmer, earthier evening look that still feels considered.
For weekends and travel
11. White shirt, light blue jeans, white sneakers
Untucked, sleeves rolled. The weekend uniform.
12. White shirt open over a grey T-shirt, chinos
Wear it as a light jacket. Good for air-conditioned cafes and evenings out.
13. White shirt, khaki shorts, sandals
For holidays and the hottest days. A linen white shirt is best here.
14. White shirt, linen trousers, espadrilles or loafers
Beach weddings and summer lunches. Untucked, relaxed.
15. All white
White shirt with white or cream trousers and tan shoes. Fresh and confident, best in daylight. Make sure both whites are similar in tone.
What not to wear with a white shirt
- White trousers in a clashing white: a blue-white shirt with yellow-cream trousers looks dirty.
- A visible dark vest under it. Wear a skin-tone or grey vest instead.
- Very shiny trousers. A white shirt is plain, so plain or textured trousers keep it balanced.
Keeping a white shirt white
- Wash whites separately.
- Treat collar and underarm marks before washing.
- Dry in shade; harsh sun can yellow some fabrics over time.
- Iron it properly; a crisp white shirt looks twice as good. Follow our 5-minute ironing guide.
The right white shirt
The white shirt that works for all fifteen of these outfits is a plain one in a regular fit, with a soft collar and a curved hem so you can tuck it in or wear it out. That is Manu White: white with a small basket texture, soft point collar, clean placket, single-button cuffs and tonal buttons. If you want stripes in the same spirit, Hard Rain is white with burgundy and grey pinstripes. For summer, Foam, a white linen shirt, arrives this week.
Each is stitched small at the left chest with the Matsya fish, after the fish that carried Manu's boat through the flood. Sizes S to XXL, with a size exchange within 7 days of delivery. Check your size in the size guide.
For more ideas, see outfit ideas for men, the full shirt and pant combination guide, and what colours suit me.
Nine shirts, each named for a moment of the Matsya flood. The fish stitched small at the chest.
See the shirts Find your size