An everyday shirt is an essential in every fashionable lady’s wardrobe. We asked our Head Buyer Emma what her favourite shirt trends are this season, what’s on her wish-list and how she would style a classic button-up…

Q: What are we seeing this season with shirts that is different to what we’ve seen previously?

A: I think it’s the versatility and the way you can style shirts this season. Obviously, you can wear them the classic button-up way with trousers or denim, but you can also wear shirts open over dresses and tied at the front with high waisted pieces. We’re seeing lots of beachwear looks with women styling shirts over swimwear as cover ups too. There are lots of different fabrics this season, from silks to cottons and linens. The list goes on, and these different materials themselves in turn make shirts versatile and easy to pair with a multitude of looks for a variety of occasions. Shirts are incredibly popular this Spring, pushed particularly by influencers that I think help to make them feel more accessible and showcase styling creatively.

Q: What makes a shirt so versatile?

A: I love the fact that you can wear shirts dressed up or dressed down. It’s possible to style them casually, (for example an oversized cotton shirt with jeans is a personal go-to look) or you can wear them on an evening with lots of jewellery. A satin shirt would be a great option for a night out look. For the season we are in shirts are such a wardrobe essential, they are a great transitional piece to throw on for an extra layer as we slowly move into warmer weather.

Q: Why do you think they are such a wardrobe essential?

A: I think it’s because you can wear shirts in so many different ways. If you wanted to you could invest in one white classic shirt and style it with endless pieces in your wardrobe. They never go out of style. They’re great for all age groups, a mature lady looks incredibly chic in an expertly cut silk shirt, and simultaneously a slightly younger lady might put together a hyper-trendy, oversized look with a cotton shirt and loose fit denim. Both are the same staple piece, just adapted differently. They are a perfect option for people who might not want to show off their arms and cover themselves a little more, whilst keeping a look fun and on-trend.

Q: Is there a brand in particular at MC you would recommend for purchasing an investment shirt?

A: Stella McCartney. We have a lot of shirts in Stella McCartney that are really classic shapes but created in interesting prints. They are a true investment piece but they’re a statement as well. With Stella you are paying for the quality of the fabric and intricacy of the prints, you can feel the difference in the materials and signature designs. They are a personal favourite of mine and a staple I will never stop buying. For a piece as classic as a button-down shirt, it’s always wise to spend more on an investment shirt because they never go out of style. They may drift in and out of micro-trends but the basics always remain the same.

Q: How would you style a shirt?

A: I have lots of shirts in my wardrobe this season. I would style shirts over a summer dress, tie them at the front with high waisted trousers and wear them open with lots of jewellery and fun accessories. I bought the double cuff Rohe shirts this season, they’re really special. Particularly the creased fabric shirt because it’s so different. I also bought the Ulla Johnson short-sleeve printed shirt too, which gives a completely different look. The denim brands are catching on to the fact that shirts are such a key, staple piece, perhaps just as essential as a pair of jeans. Frame and Citizens of Humanity are also creating amazing cuts within their collections.

Q: Shirts, particularly oversized styles, can have a masculine look. How would you make a boxy shirt feel feminine?

A: I would add lots of accessories like bold and chunky Jewellery. Styling wise, I would most likely open the neckline and allow a little skin to show, but also tying shirts at the waist helps to cinch the figure and create a more feminine silhouette even if the shirt is oversized.

Browse our collection of unmissable investment shirts that will see you through season to season.