Twenty one of the best shirts for women

We've found the best shirts for women - from crisp white to party silks

Retailers selling the best shirts for women include Boden and GAP
(Image credit: Future / Boden / GAP)

The best shirts for women need to be the best shirts for the varied lives women lead, and that means more than one style

A good shirt can be one of the building blocks of your capsule wardrobe. There are longline shirts for styling great leggings outfits, pretty silky varieties that will elevate your basics and tailored white shirts for classic looks or anchoring the best mom jeans outfits with the rest of your personal style. Have no fear, when it comes to shirting, there are plenty of options and you will find the shirt that works for your body and your life. 

One of your wardrobe essentials, a beautiful shirt, or a collection of beautiful shirts, will mean you always have a go-to outfit to fall back on. 

Best shirts for women—seven places to shop now

Best shirts for women as chosen by our fashion expert

best shirts for women include this white statement collar shirt by Boden

(Image credit: Boden)

1. Boden

Best for statement shirts

Specifications

Sizes : US: 2-22 / UK: 6-22
Prices from: $75 / £50

Reasons to buy

+
Good size range
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Mid-price 
+
High-quality fabric

Boden is the destination for luxe, mid-market basics and this is no more evident than in their stylish and timeless array of women’s shirts and blouses. The brand favor print and color, but there are plenty of classic white and navy iterations too. Elevated with frills, cut-out detailing and oversized collars, Boden shirts dress up the best skinny jeans for women with ease and add interest to skirt outfits. With a distinct boho feel, Boden shirts add femininity to any outfit. 


best shirts for women include this Cos navy shirt

(Image credit: Cos)

2. Cos

Best for oversized shirts

Specifications

Sizes: US: 2-14 / UK: 32-44
RRP from: $69 / £45

Reasons to buy

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Plenty of cotton and organic cotton options
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Smart styles

If we had to sum up Cos shirts in one phrase it would be ‘relaxed tailoring’. The brand has a distinctly androgynous feel, with shirts largely in block neutral colors, or striped iterations. Playing with oversized fits and long-line shirt silhouettes, you might want to size down across the board, particularly if you have a petite frame. There are two ways to play the oversized shirt look. Either lean fully in with palazzo trousers or on-trend wide-legged jeans and go for a super relaxed, oversized fit—this works particularly well for dressing a rectangular body shape. Or style with more form-fitting pieces such as skinny jeans, or high-waisted mom jeans to help bring back your shape—try a half-tuck if you want to highlight your waist a little. 


best shirts for women include this denim shirt by GAP

(Image credit: GAP)

3. Gap

Best for denim and casual shirts

Specifications

Sizes: XXS-XXL | Tall, reg, petite
RRP from: $54.95 / £34.95

Reasons to buy

+
Good quality
+
Timeless pieces

GAP is a staple on the ready-to-wear market, so it comes as no surprise that they're on our list of top places to purchase the best shirts for women. While they do offer some slightly smarter styles, when it comes to shirting at GAP, much like their jeans, we're all about the denim. GAP has a lovely, relaxed aesthetic and their denim shirts for women are certainly some of the best and at a really great price point too. Learning how to wear a denim shirt will open up a whole new wardrobe, from pairing with shorts in the summer to double-denim the rest of the year, you'll find lots of easy wear, wardrobe essentials at GAP. 


best shirts for women include this white tailored shirt by Hawes & Curtis

(Image credit: Hawes & Curtis)

4. Hawes & Curtis

Best for tailored shirts

Specifications

Sizes: 0-16 / UK: 6-22
RRP from : $79 / £39

Reasons to buy

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Shirt specialists
+
Lots of designs
+
Good price points

Genuine shirt specialists, Hawes & Curtis should be at the top of your list. With a range that straddles all your shirting needs, from pretty prints to timeless tailored styles, Hawes & Curtis have the shirt basics of your wardrobe, sorted. While you can often find attractive and colorful printed shirts elsewhere in the ready-to-wear market, Hawes & Curtis come into their own for executive and well-tailored shirts.   


best shirts for women include this leopard print plus size shirt by H&M

(Image credit: H&M)

5. H&M

Best for affordable shirts

Specifications

Sizes: XS-4XL
RRP from: $12.99 / £9.99

Reasons to buy

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Styles come in multiple colorways
+
Great price points

H&M is a brilliant pit stop for wardrobe basics and easy, on-trend pieces that let you buy into fashion-forward looks without a hefty price tag. This mass-market retail giant has a huge array of bargain shirts and blouses for women, including a plus size collection. 


best shirts for women include this paisley shirt by J.Crew x Liberty

(Image credit: J.Crew)

6. J. Crew

Best for classic shirts with a twist

Specifications

Sizes: Sizes 00-24
RRP from: $69.50 / £78

Reasons to buy

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Fun prints
+
Classic shapes
+
Good quality

J.Crew collections are best described as wardrobe favorites that have been elevated. Whether that's shirting with extra design detailing, a fashion-forward print, or a new jacket with a quirky twist, J.Crew takes classic silhouettes and puts a fresh new spin on them. Although they have plenty of color and embellishment, they are also underpinned by an all-American, preppy aesthetic, so expect your basics to be taken care of too. 


best shirts for women include this linen shirt in white from Marks and Spencer

(Image credit: Marks and Spencer)

7. Marks & Spencer

Best for basic shirts

Specifications

Sizes: US: 2-20 / UK: 6-24
RRP from: $26 / £15

Reasons to buy

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Quality basics
+
Big range of styles and brands
+
Great for every day

Marks and Spencer is a ready-to-wear powerhouse and they’re universally loved for their stylish basics. With hundreds of shirts and blouses to choose from, you’ll always be spoilt for choice at Marks and Spencer. Filled with wardrobe essentials, you'll find brilliant, holiday-friendly linen shirts, style statement prints and even classic plaid shirts too. Whether you’re looking for super casual pieces to team with jeans or dressier iterations for work or special occasions, Marks and Spencer will have a style to suit.


Key shirt trends for 2022

When it comes to shirts, the classics—from crisp white and striped to denim and linen—will always have a place in everyone's wardrobes. Timeless, effortless, and designed with longevity in mind, these are always great investment options, whatever the time of year and whatever the runways are saying.

But if you're looking for a more directional take and inspiration from the fashion trends 2022 then there are a few key styles to look out for this season. 

  • White shirts—shopping platform Lyst has reported a 41% spike in searches for classic white shirts recently. 
  • Cropped sleeves—on the spring/summer 2022 runway, Dior put short-sleeve iterations under strappy dresses, so this is also something to look out for once it's warmer and a styling trick to take note of.
  • Relaxed khaki—Versace opt for another classic style with khaki shirts worn undone. All in all, stick to the staple styles and you can't go wrong. 
  • Oversized shirting—perhaps off the back of lockdown, we've seen a lot more in terms of relaxed silhouettes across the board. If you've spent months in loungewear, then getting back into restrictive shirting seems understandably unappealing. But the new crop of oversized shirts makes this a doddle. Team with your best leggings and wear one like a tunic shirt. 
  • Paisley prints—no longer just about office attire, the best shirts for women work for a multitude of occasions. With the '70s still going strong, buy into pretty paisley prints to elevate everything from pleated skirts to wide-legged jeans. 

How to style a shirt

The best women's shirts all have one thing in common—versatility. It's all about investing in key styles that'll work hard in your closet, and seamlessly work with the rest of your favorite pieces. 

best shirts for women, how to style a shirt, composite of two women in street style shots wearing blazers over shirts

(Image credit: Getty Images)

How to style a shirt for work...

To style your shirt for work, lean towards more tailored styles and crisp fabrics that will help you feel put together. If you're planning on wearing your shirt with a jacket or blazer, then opt for a slim-fit shirt to avoid too much bulk underneath. 

If you want to highlight your waist and create more of an hourglass silhouette underneath your blazer, then tuck your shirt into some high-waisted jeans. But don't feel you have to tuck in. Create a more relaxed finish by leaving your shirt out over the top of your jeans but make sure the hem of your shirt does not go past the hem of your jacket, as this cuts up your silhouette in too many places and can make you look shorter. 

best shirts for women: How to style a shirt: Composite of two women wearing roll necks under their shirts

(Image credit: Getty Images)

How to style a shirt with a sweater...

We all know you can layer a shirt under many of the best sweaters for women for a chic and preppy look, but what about wearing your shirt on top of a sweater instead. For cold-weather days (or air-conditioned offices), experiment with layering a thin, roll neck top under a shirt and add a gold chain necklace over the top—check out our guide to the best jewelry online for some ideas. 

Best shirts for women: How to style a shirt, compositee image of two women wearing shirts open as jackets

(Image credit: Getty Images)

How to style a shirt as a jacket...

Remember, make your shopping purchases work harder for you. While a tailored, oversized shirt is great for the office, for off-duty try leaving it unbuttoned and throw on over a T-shirt with jeans and sneakers. Read our guide on how to style straight-leg jeans for more ways to refresh your denim wardrobe.  

Best shirts for women, how to style a shirt: a composite image of women wearing shirts using the half tuck method of styling

(Image credit: Getty Images)

How to style a shirt with a half-tuck...

The half-tuck is the epitome of nonchalant, put-together dressing. This clever styling technique allows you to show off your waist, while still wearing oversized pieces. The half-tuck looks effortless, with an almost deconstructed feel to it and it's a trick stylists have been using for years. As the street style shots show, the key is to, as the name suggests, only tuck in half the front of your shirt while leaving the other front half free and fluid. This trick works because it narrows your waistline, but you still get the relaxed, laidback look of the untuck with the second half. It takes a little practice, but once you master the half-tuck, you'll never look back. 

Harriet Davey

Harriet Davey is a freelance fashion editor, writing and styling for titles including Vogue, Stylist, Grazia, Who What Wear, and woman&home. With over 10 years of experience in the industry, Harriet has a love for shopping but also a newfound interest in trying to be more sustainable. With a love for Scandi brands and an eye for key designer pieces to mix in with high street hero buys, Harriet specialises in shopping stories and buying guides that’ll make you feel excited about updating your wardrobe.