The short answerDecide what the white shirt is for. To tuck into tailored trousers under a blazer, choose a regular fit with a point collar; to wear on its own or as a light jacket, choose a dropped-shoulder oversized cut. Then check transparency and collar. A skin-tone undershirt shows least, and washing soon after wear keeps white white.
How to choose a white shirt: start with its job
Every white shirt in your wardrobe has one of three jobs. The formal job: tucked into tailored trousers under a blazer, needing a clean shoulder and a collar that stands without stiffness. The everyday job: worn alone with trousers or shorts, needing to be easy to care for. The jacket job: worn open over a tee, needing an easy cut and some fabric weight. One shirt rarely does all three. If you own only one, start with a regular-fit point collar; your second should be oversized.
A white shirt is not one garment but three roles. Choose the role, then the size.
What are the main shirt collar types?
| Collar | What it looks like | Best for | With a tie | ARVOpm example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Point | Points angle down, moderate spread | Commute, interviews, formal | Yes | Beige Classic Shirt, Light Blue Classic Shirt |
| Spread | Points open outwards | Business, formal | Yes, fuller knots | White Cropped Shirt (wider spread) |
| Rounded (club) | Points cut into curves | Smart, vintage-collegiate | Yes | White Pinstripe Rounded-Collar Slim-Fit Shirt |
| Button-down | Points buttoned to the front | Casual, Ivy | Yes, casually | — |
| Cuban (camp) | Flat collar, no stand | Summer, weekends | No | Blue Textured Cuban-Collar Pocket Shirt |
| Band | Stand only, no fold | Minimal, casual | No | — |
For interviews or anywhere a tie is expected, the point collar is the safest. The rounded collar, with contrast white collar and cuffs, is a distinctive vintage note under a knit vest or blazer. A wider spread looks neat buttoned to the top and does not collapse when open. For occasion rules, see our dress code guide.
Beige Classic ShirtNT$2,790View piece →
White Pinstripe Rounded-Collar Slim-Fit ShirtNT$2,690View piece →
White Cropped ShirtNT$2,990View piece →
Is a white shirt see-through? Choosing fabric
White shows what is underneath more than any other colour, and thinner, looser weaves show more. Taipei humidity makes it worse once fabric clings. Hold the fabric up to the light, or step back from a well-lit fitting-room mirror. Composition changes the feel too: the Beige Classic Shirt is polyester with modal for a smooth drape; the White Pinstripe is cotton, nylon and elastane; the Light Grey Casual Shirt blends lyocell with cotton for softness and fewer wrinkles; the Oversized White Overshirt is a smooth nylon-elastane. As a rule, more cotton breathes better but creases more, while polyester or lyocell blends are easier to keep neat.
The best undershirt is skin-toned, not white, which outlines itself under a white shirt. And if pure white feels too exposed, off-white, light blue and light grey are softer ways in.
Light Blue Classic ShirtNT$2,790View piece →
Light Grey Casual Long-Sleeved ShirtNT$3,890View piece →
Beige Shirt with Patch PocketNT$2,890View piece →
Regular or oversized: reading the size chart
| Shirt | Fit | Shoulder | Chest | Length | Wear it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beige Classic Shirt | Regular, not tight | 46.1–50.9 | 54.5–63.5 | 68–78 | Tucked, under a blazer |
| White Pinstripe Rounded-Collar | Slim | 44.5–49.9 | 49–59 | 71–81 | Tucked, under a knit |
| White Double-Pocket Oversized | Dropped, mid-length | 61–66.4 | 57–68 | 69.5–78.5 | Untucked with wide trousers |
| White Panelled Oversized | Dropped | 60.5–65.9 | 62–73 | 74–83 | Alone or half-tucked |
| Oversized White Overshirt | Dropped, long | 63.8–69.2 | 64–74 | 76–86 | Open over a tee |
The shoulder gap is the giveaway: dropped-shoulder cuts measure more than ten centimetres wider because the seam sits on the arm. With a regular fit, check that the seam meets your shoulder point and the placket does not pull. With oversized, ignore the shoulder and read the length, which runs from 69.5 to 86 cm. Petite frames do best with mid-length or a size down; tall frames can carry the long overshirt open.
White Double-Pocket Oversized ShirtNT$3,290View piece →
Oversized White OvershirtNT$3,690View piece →
White Panelled Oversized ShirtNT$2,990View piece →
One shirt, different frames
ARVOpm shirts are unisex. Broader shoulders look sharpest in a regular fit tucked into high-waisted trousers. Narrower shoulders can borrow structure from a dropped shoulder; roll the sleeves twice so it does not swamp you. With a fuller bust, watch the placket when you sit or reach forward; if it gapes, size up or go oversized. Side vents and curved hems help an oversized shirt fall past the hip.
FITTING CHECK1. Reach forward: no strain across the back, cuffs still cover the wrist bone.
2. Sit: no gaps between buttons, tucked hem stays put.
3. Button the collar: about one finger fits between neck and collar.
4. Step back under bright light: check what shows through.
5. Reach up high: the oversized hem should not ride to your waist.
2. Sit: no gaps between buttons, tucked hem stays put.
3. Button the collar: about one finger fits between neck and collar.
4. Step back under bright light: check what shows through.
5. Reach up high: the oversized hem should not ride to your waist.
What to wear with a white shirt
White shirt, tennis sweater, straight trousers. Pull a V-neck tennis sweater over the shirt, collar out, with dark brown straight trousers and loafers: classic Modern Ivy from autumn to early spring. White shirt, light grey trousers, white sneakers. Tuck a regular fit into light grey tailored trousers and roll the sleeves; add a blazer for the office. Our tailored trousers guide covers length and shoes. Oversized shirt, wide trousers. Leave it untucked over fluid wide trousers, or open over a tee. For something more conservative, see the interview outfit guide.
Wool Blend V-Neck White Tennis SweaterNT$3,590View piece →
Dark Brown Straight PantsNT$2,690View piece →
Light Grey Mélange Regular-Fit Suit TrousersNT$2,290View piece →
How to keep a white shirt from yellowing
Yellowing mostly comes from sweat, skin oils and antiperspirant left in the fabric at the collar, cuffs and underarms. Wash soon after wearing rather than days later, pre-treat the collar and cuffs with a mild detergent, and wash whites separately. Check the care label before bleaching: chlorine bleach can damage elastane, so blends need care. Dry on a hanger with the collar and placket smoothed, store on shaped hangers, and always wash before putting shirts away for the season.
To compare collars and fabrics in person, visit eslite spectrum Songyan 2F. Delivery within Taiwan is free over NT$3,000; online orders can be returned within 7 days of delivery, unworn with tags, and are refund-only, so to change size you return and reorder.
FAQ
Which white shirt should I buy first?
A regular-fit point collar. It tucks into tailored trousers under a blazer and also works with rolled sleeves and sneakers. Make your second shirt an oversized cut.
What should I wear under a white shirt?
A skin-toned undershirt shows least; a white one outlines itself. If you wear an oversized shirt open, a tee underneath is part of the look.
Which collar is best for an interview?
A point collar, which also takes a tie. See our interview outfit guide for full combinations.
Do oversized shirts make you look shorter?
Length is the key. Petite frames should choose a mid-length cut or size down, or front-tuck to show the waist.
How do I fix a yellow collar?
Yellowing comes from sweat, skin oils and antiperspirant. Wash soon after wearing, pre-treat collar and cuffs, and check the label before bleaching, since chlorine bleach can damage elastane.
Want to feel the fabric and try the fit first?
Visit ARVOpm at eslite spectrum Songyan 2F (No. 88, Yanchang Rd, Xinyi District, Taipei), open daily 11:00–22:00. Prefer to shop online? Delivery within Taiwan is free over NT$3,000, and returns are accepted within 7 days of delivery.
