The many ways to style a white shirt like an 'It girl'

The white button-up shirt is a very powerful wardrobe staple. Add one to your wardrobe and you'll quickly find it can be styled from boardroom to beach without looking out of place in either location.

No matter the fit or feel (we're currently loving the stiff cotton varieties on offer at the moment), whichever you choose will be worth every cent (and more) because the white shirt is the gift that keeps on giving... season after season.

Here's how to style the classic white button-up shirt seven ways, just like an 'It girl' — yep! That's an entire week's worth of looks with one staple.

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Wear it as an over-shirt

For those days where you need an extra layer but you don't want anything too bulky or bold in colour, the white shirt is your best friend.

Wear it with blue jeans, always!

There are so many ways to mix up your jeans and a crisp white shirt look. You can knot it (see below), you can try (and love) the French tuck — FYI: that's where you tuck one side of the shirt into your pants and let the other side hang out — roll the sleeves, pop your collar and if you're a fan of the oversized fit, even belt it.

So. Many. Options.

Wear it over swimmers

It's hard to imagine a day at the beach right now when most of the country is in the midst of a cold snap, but a crisp white shirt (oversized, even better!) over your togs is a comfy and stylish way to cover up by the water.

Tie it in a knot

Leaving the last few buttons undone, grab both ends of the shirt and tie it into a knot. This simple change-up is the perfect match for your high-waisted jeans, shorts, pants and skirts, and even better for those who are into the cropped trend that's currently doing the rounds.

Layer it

Wear it under or over almost anything in your wardrobe — the white shirt really is that versatile. Under dresses, knits, jackets, coats, the lot! Or over tees, lacy camis and knits, you can't go wrong with adding a bright white shirt to the mix.

Wear it as a mini dress

This one depends on the length of your white shirt, but if you've been into any high street stores lately, or stalked their offerings online, you'll have spotted a bunch of oversized (also known as 'boyfriend') fitted shirts. If you want to give the white shirt-mini look a crack, first, choose a shirt that's oversized. Then, match it with boots, a knitted vest, a cosy knit or give the layering trick a go — it's near-impossible to mess this look up.

Tuck it in

Tucking a white shirt in sounds like a no-brainer, but this simple adjustment can really smarten up your look. If you find there's too much material to tuck into the front, tuck in only the ends and pull the rest of the shirt back so your collar sits away from the back of your neck. This will create a chic, looser-fitting neck line, perfect for showing a little more skin.