Playing dress up with Ralph Lauren

I’ve long been a fan of the men’s shirt. I always used to pinch my dad’s… and now I pinch my husband’s. But I’ve never thought to actually purchase one of my own. Which is odd, as I have always favoured them over women’s shirts, which only seem to work for me when it’s some kind of ‘blouse’ and is being tucked into tailored trews or a skirt…

So it’s been a bit of a treat to play dress up, not just in any old men’s shirt, but a gorgeous, plaid, perfectly and beautifully made Ralph Lauren shirt. I’ve worn it here in 3 different ways and it just looks and feels so fab in every outfit.

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The ‘French tuck’ into black jeans has been a firm favourite of mine, ever since Queer Eye exploded into my living room and I marvelled over Tan’s ability to bring grown men and women to tears, purely from finding a new way to tuck in their shirts. It’s such an easy wear and works with boots, heels or trainers.

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It’s the half-in – half-out thing that works so brilliantly and is so flattering. If only I’d known about the French Tuck as a teenager. Those difficult fashion years would have been immeasurably better (I’m looking at you, elasticated jeans).

Wearing the shirt open over a vest is another easy, casual wear, but can be dressed up or down, with a statement necklace or with trousers and heels. I love pairing it with a meringue skirt (not the technical name, but it’s my blog post and that’s what Izzy calls it) – it’s my perfect Bonfire night outfit and one I shall be sporting over the Crimbo season too – it’s a bit glamourous, while still being ever so relaxed.

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And then my dungarees were begging to be paired with this shirt. “GET ME OUT OF THE DRAW!” they yelled. I obeyed. And it might be the perfect pairing, ever since cheese met wine. Since Popeye met Olive. Since…

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I wear my dungas with sneakers and I picked Izzy up from school today in this very outfit. We went down the road to a café for an apple juice and after school snack and chat, and I felt so cosy and put-together (do you know what I mean? It just fits so perfectly) in this shirt. Izzy kept coming in for cuddles and I KNOW it was because the shirt was so soft and NOT because she thinks I’m the bees knees.  But let’s not tell anyone that.

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I am now the envy of the rest of the household. LM wants it, but it’s not in his size. Izzy wants it, but only so she can cuddle it. But I get to wear it. And I do, in a multitude of ways, and I love it.

I shall no more bypass the men’s shirt aisle. Instead, I will peruse and may well grow a more extensive collection of shirts than the men in my life. 

But it’s not my fault! Blame Ralph Lauren for nailing it.