It's funny. There are certain items of clothing I find myself consistently drawn to. They become the essence of my wardrobe a signature style if you will. My husband teases me when I come hope from shopping excursions with a "let me guess what you bought; a horizontal striped shirt?"

"Dammit!" I think to myself. Am I that predictable? Looking through my drawers, the plethora of stripes betrays my personal style aesthetic. I am a creature of habit.

I've questioned why I'm drawn to this particular item (predominantly small stripes with alternates of black or navy) and have arrived at the conclusion that its because of versatility.

Anyone can wear a plan solid shirt but it often looks casual and boring. I have found that stripes makes an outfit and are surprisingly neutral when layered under solids or florals. This red-and-white striped shirt with a boat neck from Splendid is a perfect addition to my stacks of horizontal glory. I could wear it under an menswear style vest, with a black lace cami on top, over a collared shirt, or on its own with a pencil skirt or jeans. This shirt is a perfect example of how a signature pattern can become an indispensable tool in forming an overall personal style and serve as a starting block for different incarnations. So what for predictability.

Labels: essentials, shirts