When you pull out a shirt from your wardrobe for work, an event or even an interview, do you ever wish your button-down was a little less boring? Shirts are, of course, a timeless classic; a wardrobe staple that we have relied on as part of our sartorial daily repertoire for decades. Elegant and effortless, a shirt is the perfect companion to everything from a trouser suit to your favourite frayed jeans or a patent skirt.
Yes, there may be few garments as easy and chic as a crisp shirt but sometimes our look or mood requires something a bit more experimental. So, at the beginning of a new year, as we struggle to find inspiration within our well-worn wardrobe, we're pretty thankful for the current trend for deconstructed tailoring and asymmetrical button-downs – offering us a fresh take on shirts.
Recurring for a few seasons now, on the catwalks last September we saw numerous brands reinterpreting the wardrobe classic, including Marques' Almeida, Victoria Beckham, Monse, Joseph and Alexander Wang. Designers cut shirts up, twisted them, added ruffles and removed sleeves. In a nutshell, the more asymmetric and reworked, the better. Key proponents of the new twisted tailoring are Paris Fashion Week favourites and the modern masters of deconstruction/ subverting proportions, Simon Porte Jacquemus and Vetements' Demna Gvasalia.
Ahead are some wearable ways to work the trend in 2017 but, if you're not quite ready to invest in The Shirt 2.0, then take an existing blue or white one and wear it half un-buttoned and off the shoulders. All the street style stars are doing it; but that's another story...
Balance the exaggerated proportions of this elegant Palmer//Harding shirt with denim and block heels or simple white trainers.
Palmer//Harding Asymmetric ruffled-hem cotton shirt, £290, available at Matches Fashion
The subtle slanted front transforms this seemingly everyday shirt into a standout piece, perfect to wear with a mini skirt or wide-legged trousers to further play with proportions.
Cheap Monday Force Poplin Shirt, £50, available at Cheap Monday
Ruffles were one of the biggest trends of 2016 and we're happy to see that they're here to stay. This MSGM shirt incorporates three major trends in one – asymmetric shirting, frills and gingham. Wear with straight-leg jeans and ankle boots.
MSGM Ruffled-trim contrast-panelled shirt, £305, available at Matches Fashion
For a simpler interpretation of the trend, this ruffled shirt from Zara is both versatile and affordable.
Zara Frilly shirt, £29.99, available at Zara
Here's how to bring last year's off-the-shoulder silhouette into 2017, courtesy of Simon Porte Jacquemus. Fusing striped cotton-poplin with a navy ribbed-knit, team this shirt hybrid with suit trousers and trainers for a modern take on workwear.
Jacquemus One-shoulder striped cotton-poplin and ribbed-knit shirt, £395, available at Net-A-Porter
New York designer Sandy Liang may be only 25 years old, but she's quickly garnered not just a great reputation in the industry but a brilliant list of stockists including Browns, Harvey Nichols and Modern Society. From the front this may look like an ordinary blue striped shirt but turn around to reveal the beautiful back detail.
Sandy Liang Enzo shirt, £270.96, available at Forward
Wear this shrunken shirt with trousers or jeans now but we're certain it will be a regular feature of your summer '17 wardrobe too.
Missguided Blue striped tie back collared shirt, £20, available at Missguided
We're all about an oversized bow.
Victoria By Victoria Beckham White Poplin Asymmetric Bow Shirt, £335, available at Avenue32
After weeks of wearing festive partywear, featuring a whole lot of velvet and sparkle, you'll appreciate a chicer alternative for your next night out.
This shoulder-baring silhouette frames the décolletage but don't worry, it won't fall down and reveal more than you were bargaining for, thanks to discreet elasticated inserts.
Jacquemus Off-the-shoulder striped cotton-poplin top, £265, available at Net-A-Porter
Adam Lippes' deconstructed halterneck, made from contrasting panels of striped cotton-poplin captures the designer's signature "unhurried elegance". Layer over a T-shirt or polo neck for daytime simple sophistication or wear alone for a statement evening look.
Adam Lippes Asymmetric striped cotton-poplin top, £625, available at Net-A-Porter
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