More than a classic: an essential. An iconic piece continually reinvented, it is the blank canvas on which to paint one's own style. A closer look at an essential, universal garment.
In the beginning, white
The history of the shirt dates back to Antiquity, in Roman times. Yet it was only at the end of the 19th century that it took on its modern form and use. While we will not recount the full history of the shirt here, understanding its role in the Middle Ages is essential to appreciating the symbolic dimension of white—and therefore of the white shirt.
Before the Industrial Revolution and fast fashion, people owned few garments, and these were primarily designed to withstand wear and adapt to weather conditions. The thickness or weight of these clothes made them relatively difficult to wash, especially at a time when access to hygiene was far from the given it is today.
The shirt emerged at this point as the solution: an undergarment that was easier to care for.
To this must be added that for centuries, all fabrics in direct contact with the body (bedsheets, bath linens and… undergarments) had to be white, for hygiene reasons (black symbolising dirt) but above all for practical ones: fabrics were boiled to be cleaned, and these materials (often made of linen, hemp or wool) tended to lose their colour. White ultimately proved to be the most stable and hard-wearing shade.
A classic among classics
Timeless, it transcends eras by constantly adapting, evolving alongside shifting trends. The white shirt is an ideal medium for expressing creativity, like a blank page waiting to be written on. The emblem of nonchalant elegance the moment two buttons are undone. A professional uniform when paired with a smooth, solid-colour tie: from an undergarment, it has become a symbol of masculine presence, authority, and French elegance.
The white shirt is a masculine staple that women made their own—just like trousers during the sexual revolution—asserting their right to equality.
It finds its place at religious and formal ceremonies, seamlessly fitting in all year round, from boardroom presentations to Eyes Wide Shut-inspired evenings. It welcomes every accessory, elevating other colours without ever losing its own distinct lustre.
The white shirt is universal, gracing the shoulders of gentlemen in impeccable tuxedos as naturally as it dresses the most effortless artists.
White, the colour of essentials
White, the colour of the essential and of absolute perfection. The oldest colour of all, since the dawn of time, that of primordial light. Fascinating in its symbolic universality, representing life, the innocence of a newborn, purity in faith, but also mortality, mirrored in the elder's white beard and mystical wisdom. As early as the Hundred Years' War, a white flag was raised to call for a cessation of hostilities, becoming a new symbol of peace and, more broadly, of good.
These symbols, deeply rooted and enduring in European societies, have shaped the collective imagination almost everywhere in the world.
How to wear the white shirt today?
The true cornerstone of the masculine wardrobe is the shirt. White, of course, but versatile enough to pair just as easily with a suit as with jeans. It is one of the fundamentals to own and must therefore be chosen with care: fit, fabric (natural, naturally) and collar all deserve close attention.
When it comes to styling, it is far simpler: paired with a tie for work, left with one or two buttons undone for a relaxed evening, or worn with a bow tie for a celebration, the white shirt welcomes every accessory and pattern.
Paired with a structured jacket like a leather blouson, fresco wool trousers or raw sea-salt washed jeans, it blends seamlessly into any look.
