A crisp white shirt as eveningwear, from Chanel at Paris Fashion Week to Anne Hathaway
Matthieu Blazy set up a collab with shirtmakers Charvet for his debut at Chanel while Celine, Miu Miu and Valentino all also showed the versatility of the humble piece
For what better way to breathe new life into Chanel while staying true to its essential house codes and eternal origin story, than by looking to the wardrobe of Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel herself?
Chanel was a regular customer of Charvet, which opened its doors in 1838. So too was her lover Arthur “Boy” Capel, from whom Chanel borrowed much of her wardrobe – toying with a shrugged-on boyish insouciance. The brand – which can tailor entirely customised shirts – has long been a fashion insider favourite worn by everybody from Sofia Coppola to Kate Moss and King Charles.
The Charvet shirts on October’s runway – chic and boxy in three colours, including a salmon and pinstripe with the brand’s cursive logo on the front, and worn with sculptural skirts – featured the hemline chain that is a signature of Chanel jackets and that makes them hang just so. The arrival of new house ambassador Nicole Kidman in one of the shirts, a white button-down worn with denim, was further proof that they have never felt more relevant – or indeed more suited to the party season.
Rebecca Vallance, founder and creative director of her eponymous label, is a fan of a button-down shirt when dressing up.
“There’s something effortlessly seductive about a crisp white shirt after dark. When styled for the evening, it feels incredibly modern and confident,” she says. “I love pairing it with a sharp tailored trouser for contrast, or chic denim and heels. The perfect button-down should have beautiful structure, luxurious fabric and just enough softness to move with you. I like the balance of structure and ease to make it feel timeless.”
Maggie Hewitt of the New Zealand fashion label Maggie Marilyn agrees. She was smitten with Blazy’s debut too.
“Foundational wardrobe pieces, like a great white shirt, are what anchor an outfit and extend the longevity of a person’s wardrobe; but pairing them with something unexpected, feminine, or playful – like Blazy did with the Charvet shirts with those incredible skirts – is how you showcase your personal style. It adds charisma to an outfit,” she says.