Some mornings I wake up and throw on a soft, slightly oversized white button-up shirt. Hair wild, I walk barefoot to the kitchen and get the espresso started. Is the shirt mine, or my lover’s? It’s hard to say, but one thing’s for sure: I feel damn sexy.
Why is the oversized white button-up shirt so sexy on women? And what makes it the ultimate boudoir wardrobe staple?
For one, we’ve been told/shown how sexy it is for decades in movie after movie. It’s a trope called the “sexy shirt switch” and was a way for directors to say that the woman just had sex without actually saying she just had sex. A tasty visual delight, especially for the male gaze.
But it wasn’t just about sex. For women, it was also about power, confidence, and sexual freedom.
And to me, the slightly oversized white button-up acts as a blank canvas – the wearer brings to it her own personality, power, and gendered expression to satisfy the male or female gaze. It’s all about how she feels in it!
It’s one of my favorite wardrobe staples, especially for a boudoir photo shoot. If you look through my portfolio you’ll see it a lot, and for good reason.
How do you know which white button-up works as the ultimate boudoir wardrobe staple?
After all, it’s a tall order. But I’ve got years of experience here. The perfect white button-up has to be soft, easy to move around in, and thin enough to be just a little bit see-through. We’re going for slightly oversized so that it flows around your body, and of course it must be super comfortable.
It’s rare that a men’s shirt will perfectly fit the bill for me. So far, my favorite one I’ve ever found is this one on Amazon. I’ve purchased many over the years, either gifting them away or wearing them out myself.
The women who schedule shoots with me at the Silk & Lace Boudoir studio get 3-4 outfit changes, and when asked I always recommend this white button-up as a great option.
But don’t underestimate the power of the white button-up. Even if you’re not scheduled for a boudoir shoot, this deserves to be in your wardrobe.
xo,
Cynthia
