14 of the best white work shirts from classic button downs to modern updates.
White Work Shirts
Button down shirts once had a reputation for being stuffy and boring. White work shirts were often ill-fitting tops just for corporate or finance jobs to wear with your work pants or pencil skirt.
The New Trend
Today, these menswear-inspired pieces are reinvented to be some of the most stylish, cool, and chic articles of clothing.
They can elevate your work outfits, whether reporting to an office or not. The modern take on white work shirts makes them essential for every woman’s wardrobe.
Style Tip: new style white work shirts
White button down work shirts come in a range of styles. For 2023, a big trend is oversized fits with a relaxed feel that still reads work-appropriate.
Non-cotton fabrics also modernize the appearance and offer a more feminine fit.
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Best Options
There are also unique options from sheer fabrics or embellishments that can change your look and boost your 9-5 style.
No matter what you like to wear from Monday through Friday, there’s a white work shirt to suit you.
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Ahead, 14 of the best white button down shirts for work and beyond.
Our Top Picks
Best Organic White Work Shirt
Anyone trying to shop more eco-friendly will love that this is made from organic washed cotton poplin.
Relaxed fit reads calm, cool, and collected even while in high-stress meetings.
Plus, a loose fit is work appropriate and will keep you comfortable at your desk. Add a monogram to up the prep factor.
Material: 100% organic cotton
Sizes: 00-24
Best Sheer White Work Shirt
Crafted in lightweight pima cotton voile, this shirt is subtly sheer. The feminine flares make it the perfect style that will take you from desk to date.
You can wear a white tank top under to make it more work appropriate. Add a blazer on top at the office, and remove it when heading to drinks.
A drop shoulder and lightweight fabrication create a relaxed fit.
Material: Pima Cotton
Sizes: XS-XL
Best Budget Friendly White Work Shirt
This affordable white work shirt option, which costs under $25, will quickly become your new favorite style.
Quality fabric and a straight fit make it easy to layer with a sweater vest or wear alone.
Many fans also mentioned it doesn’t shrink after washing, which is definitely a win.
Material: Cotton
Sizes: XS-XXL
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Best Silk White Work Shirt
A silky white shirt hangs on your body beautifully, and this one has the perfect amount of sheen to show you off.
This technical silk is hypo-allergenic and contains amino acids that help nourish the skin. It is also naturally thermo-regulating to your body temperature to keep you from sweating.
But the best part is that it’s washable and won’t force you to visit your favorite dry cleaner with every wear. The flattering notch collar opens up the neckline to show off some skin.
Material: 90% mulberry silk, 10% spandex
Sizes: XS-XL
Best Splurge White Work Shirt
Known for making some of the best white button down shirts, Lafayette 148 New York offers gorgeous shirts that are flattering and chic.
While they have clean and polished tops, they also have styles with luxe details like this fringe dot pattern. The touch of texture elevates your look and adds a bit of interest.
Material: 90% cotton/10% polyamide
Sizes: XS-XXL
Best Menswear Style White Work Shirt
The look of a classic white shirt is already stolen from the boys, and this style from Levi’s doubles down on the menswear trend.
As if you stole it from your husband, boyfriend, or brother, this shirt is a more roomy take with an oversized fit.
It also has a longer length that you can let hang or French tuck into pants or jeans.
Material: Cotton
Sizes: XS-XL
Best White Work Shirt for Larger Breast Sizes
White button down shirts can be difficult to wear for anyone larger on top. This Oxford style doesn’t gape, thanks to a stitched-down placket.
A slim fit and a stretchy poplin fabric make this comfortable to wear from 9 AM to 9 PM.
Throw on a cardigan for transitional weather.
Material: 75% Cotton, 22% Nylon, 3% Elastane
Sizes: XS-3X
Best Denim White Shirt
Cowboy boots are having a moment; why shouldn’t western shirts?
Full of details like shaped shoulders, exaggerated collars, a back yoke, and snap-closed pockets, this will feel like your favorite chambray shirt.
Comfortable yet polished, and perfect with your work-appropriate denim.
Material: Cotton
Sizes: XXS-XL
Best Short Sleeve White Shirt
For those who tend to overheat, a short sleeve option hanging in your closet is a must. This drapey style and oversized fit will keep things flowy.
Buttons down the back give a modern spin to create a unique shirt you’ll want to show off.
Material: Cotton/TENCEL™ modal rayon
Sizes: XXS-XXL
Best Relaxed Fit White Work Shirt
While this white work shirt is certainly a style to wear to your 9-5, it also will be one to rock on the weekends.
Comfy with a light weight, you’ll wear this to brunch with your family or game night at your best friend’s.
The looser fit is versatile for pretty much any occasion.
Material: Cotton
Sizes: XS-XL
Best Tunic White Work Shirt
With an air of romance, this beautiful and loose peasant blouse is a gorgeous update to your more traditional white shirt.
The top mirrors the look of a comfortable henley, with a loop and button closure that stops halfway down the front.
Such an effortlessly stylish piece, from workdays to weekends, this shirt will be on heavy rotation.
Material: Tencel
Sizes: XXS-XL, standard, petite, and plus
Best V-Neck White Work Shirt
Buttoning the top button on a shirt can feel uncomfortable to some women, not to mention can look a bit rigid.
This pretty white work shirt has a v-neck design for a more flattering look. It also has pleats along the back to provide a looser yet, still streamlined fit.
Material: 74% Recycled Nylon, 26% Elastane
Sizes: XS-XL
Best Machine Washable White Work Shirt
This shirt drapes beautifully on the body thanks to a looser fit and gorgeous Italian fabric. The material is soft, stretchy, and machine washable for easy care.
Wrinkles are easily released with steam, making this a great travel shirt. A mandarin collar lends to a less stiff appearance, as does the slide slits and long length in the back.
Material: 74% Recycled Nylon, 26% Elastane
Sizes: XS-XL
Best Fitted White Work Shirt
This classic white work shirt has a fit that sits closer to the body.
Buttons down the front and on the cuffs keep the look refined and ready to be paired with pants or a pencil skirt for the office.
This is a great shirt option for layering since you can easily wear a blazer or sweater on top.
Material: 65% Polyester, 35% Cotton
Sizes: XS-XL
Pro Tip
😎If you are looking for a more relaxed oversized look for your work shirts, we recommend sizing up.
FAQ
What to look for when buying white work shirts?
Fabric: Consider the material of the shirt before buying.
Cotton is the most popular since it’s easy, comfortable, and breathable, whereas silks and blends are loose, more forgiving, and hang nicely on the body.
Check to see how to care for it as well. Machine washable fabrics are easier than dry clean only. Lastly, evaluate how much you want, or like, to iron.
With iron-free, wrinkle-resistant, and wrinkle-free fabrications, the shirt you buy might reduce your ironing or steaming time.
Fit: Comfort is key, especially if you are looking for a shirt for work. Consider the fit you find most versatile and easy to wear.
Size: Always check the description and size guide.
Depending on the fit, you might need to adjust the size, like going down a size for an oversized shirt or up a size for a fitted style.
What’s the difference between dress shirts and work shirts?
Dress shirts are more formal in terms of the fabrication and design wise. And often times they’re more fitted. Work shirts can be more casual and fashionable.
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