WIW: channeling my style icon in a crisp shirt

You may have heard me say I don't wear crisp button-up collared shirts. I used to wear them, and now they feel too formal, fussy, or business-y for my style. If I wear a collared shirt, it is more often in a silky fabric rather than a crisp cotton. And I can't recall wearing a "popped" collar--pulled up around the face--for more than a moment.
So today's outfit is a bit of a departure for me.
I bought this collared button-up shirt about a year ago, because I liked the steely gray color, and because I do really like the idea of a crisp cotton shirt. This one is made of tencel that looks and feels like a soft cotton; somehow, it does not feel too fussy to wear.
When I put it on today, I was inspired by my style icon, Linda Rodin, who is often photographed in a crisp button-up shirt with the collar popped.

Here's the resulting outfit, worn for a day off (1-3):
Cream skinny jeans (Mother, the Looker highrise, in whipping the cream); gray tencel button-up collared shirt with 3/4 sleeves (P. Taylor); navy linen knit vest (made by me); navy nubuck sneakers (Paul Green); silver-toned disk earrings and piano-wire bracelet.
My style icon, Linda Rodin, in white and black crisp collared shirts (4-5). 
Thanks for looking! I welcome any suggestions or comments you'd like to share.

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37 Comments

  • Mirjana replied 6 years ago

    Super you did it perfect I like you look with the collared button-up shirt polished and elegant and little dreaming.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 6 years ago

    Thank you, Mirjana!

  • Emily K replied 6 years ago

    The popped collar looks nice--adds a lot of structure to the shirt and outfit.  I'm one who likes the idea of a crisp, white button-up shirt but fails to execute properly.  I do not currently have one in my wardrobe but I'm always looking for the right specimen.

  • minimalist replied 6 years ago

    YES! Totally channeling Rodin. I particularly like the steel grey - white denim rendition you created.

  • Joy replied 6 years ago

    These neutral pieces are fabulous together and on you! I can see why Linda Rodin is your style icon. You look like a much younger Linda with somewhat the same face shape. You look great in dark framed specs too.

  • texstyle replied 6 years ago

    I like it a lot!  Collared shirts are great in my eye as they frame the face so nicely. Finding one in a soft fabric is wonderful and I'm always happy when I find one that works. This one is perfect on you.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 6 years ago

    Emily, yes, I empathize. I'm drawing the line at white. I've bought so many white blouses--and not worn them--that I have to keep from falling for their allure again. Colors, and perhaps not-so-crisp, it seems, can work for me.
    minimalist, thank you!
    Joy, thanks! I really like her style, and many elements of it are things I like to wear, too. Overall, her style is perhaps more dramatic and polished than mine.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 6 years ago

    Thanks, Texstyle! I like the way they frame the face, too--that's a good point.

  • replied 6 years ago

    You look elegant and sophisticated.  What a great look for you!

  • Angie replied 6 years ago

    Killer

    You ARE a style icon, Sharan. 

  • Style Fan replied 6 years ago

    Angie said it.  You are a style icon.  You look fabulous.  I also find button ups sit in my wardrobe so I stopped buying them.  I have a gorgeous (and expensive) one in my holding box.  I may pull it out one day.

  • LaPed replied 6 years ago

    WOW! 

    You are every bit as stylish as Linda, and those specs are just perfect on you.

  • replied 6 years ago

    Oh!  I love this.  You slayed it.  

  • JuniperGreen replied 6 years ago

    Fab!!!! nailed the outfit! 

  • Dianna replied 6 years ago

    Wow, perfect

  • Ginkgo replied 6 years ago

    You look absolutely stunning, every bit as good as Linda.  This is definitely an outfit to wear again.  

    I really like your hair at a longer length, it's very flattering on you. 

  • rachylou replied 6 years ago

    This is great! Channeling Linda and Firecracker at the same time!

    I'd unbutton one more button - and btw, I hate when people tell me not to button all the way up, lol. I'm a hypocrite!

  • JAileen replied 6 years ago

    That is such a great color for you. I love your outfit, and I agree that *you* are a style icon.

  • lozz_oz replied 6 years ago

    Great ensemble! Elegant + chic style.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 6 years ago

    Thank you, everyone!

    Angie, that's so sweet--thank you. I thought of you, too, while I chose the outfit. I figured you'd like it, because. . . white jeans!

    StyleFan, thanks, and I feel I should challenge you to wear that button-up shirt soon.

    LaPed, thanks. I had some very skilled style consulting in choosing these glasses (I hired Angie!).

    Gingko, thanks for the hair compliment. It's one of the inspirations I can attribute to LR, by the way.

    Rachylou, you're a riot. I started with the next button unbuttoned, and then re-buttoned it--ha ha!

    JAileen, you're too kind!

    Xtabay, Sterling, JuniperGreen, Dianna, LozzOz, thank you all for your encouragement, too!

  • Jaime replied 6 years ago

    Fantastic - I really like the sneakers here.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 6 years ago

    Thanks, Shevia!

  • Sal replied 6 years ago

    This looks fantastic - I think the drape in the gilet makes it a Firecracker look - and the sneakers.  If you wore the shirt with the jeans and a heel it would be an even bigger departure.

    The shirt suits you very well and I love the white jeans here with the dark colours.  I do not own a shirt/button down right now, I struggle to make them work.  I do own a black popover style shirt and in the past a brown/black quasi leopard print one was a favourite as was a burgundy/black fleck one.  So maybe a dark colour is the key here:)

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 6 years ago

    Sal, that's a good point about how the look would change without the drapey vest or the sneakers. I think we can have fab style without button-up shirts, but if it's a look you admire on others, as I do, perhaps it's worth a try to find one you would enjoy.

  • Suz replied 6 years ago

    OMG, GENIUS!

    I absolutely love this on you. I have the same sense as Sal, that the drapey vest makes it feel more "you." And the sneakers do indeed provide a nice juxtaposition of a different sort. But I love love love you in that grey and the popped collar and you wear a shirt with the best of them. 

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 6 years ago

    Thanks, Suz! You are a shirt-wearing inspiration yourself. It struck me during the day that the scarf-like shawl collar on the vest helps keep the collar up, so it's easy to wear.

  • Karie replied 6 years ago

    You look fantastic! Yes, the drapey vest makes it more you, as do the sneakers. Perfection!

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 6 years ago

    Thanks, Karie!

  • Amy Isabella replied 6 years ago

    Stunning! You look every inch as chic, sophisticated and elegant as Linda.

  • Ledonna N. replied 6 years ago

    Yes you did a great interpretation while still looking like the iconic Firecracker that we know. Love that vest.

  • skylurker replied 6 years ago

    Ooh, I love this on you - yeah, ok, I love shirts in general. Unfortunate you're not into shirts, because they love you.
    The popped collar looks very chic with earrings and hair up.

  • Runcarla replied 6 years ago

    Isn't it fun when you see yourself 'out there'?  I can understand why Linda's style and look would inspire you, but I love even more how you made it your own.  This is a great look and I'm glad you posted.

  • merwoman replied 6 years ago

    Oh yes -nailed it!!

  • Angie replied 6 years ago

    (YES. You had me with the white jeans.....)

  • Christina F. replied 6 years ago

    You look so... cool! There's no other way to describe it. Great work!

  • jill58 replied 6 years ago

    I love Linda Rodin but you look so much more like her than I do!

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 6 years ago

    Thanks, everyone!
    Skylurker, who knows--maybe my style will involve to include more shirts.

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