Oxford Shirts & Khakis, Really? Yes!

Tina, here.

Oxford shirts and khakis can actually be classically feminine if worn in the right way. They can also be terribly camp-counselor-y in a bad way, if not worn correctly. Consider:

Camp Counselor, Park Attendant, Hostess

Adventurous Woman Exploring Rocky Coast Of Maine

Also consider:

Khakis. Man pants. I've pulled a million pairs of khakis out of women's closets over the years. That's because most of them were cut like men's pants and looked like an 8th grade school boy's uniform. The rest of them were evil capris. But the right pair can be a godsend on a day you're running around doing errands, maybe even playing with children or grandchildren on the floor or in the sandbox, or attending a meeting you're not sure if you're supposed to dress for or just show up to before you hit the garden center.

Khakis and a white button-down are so simple, and may be accused of being boring, but there is nothing boring about a classic. What is also true, and this is important, is that the more simple a thing is, the more perfect it must be. Like a white tee, a pair of ballet flats, pearl studs, and, yes, a button-down and khakis. So, let's get the details correct.

Khakis for women are best when they are tailored and fit perfectly. No saggy bottom syndrome (too big), no evil capris (too short), and no tree trunks (choose either flared or slim, but not straight*). I love the caramel-y color, but Carolina Herrera can get away with that flax color above because they are so feminine and she wears them beautifully. Pretty Spring colors are fun, too.

*Many pants will say they are straight so we think oh, here is a style I don't have yet! I have skinny and bootcut but not straight - I guess I need these. But you don't because they make our legs look like tree trunks. However, just because they say they are straight, they actually may not be. Just look at them and determine if they have slim legs, or are actually straight tree trunks. Caveat - if the pants or jeans are indeed straight, they will work if they hit at your ankles.

There are a few factors to consider when trying on a button-down, and I'm not going to get super technical, just mentioning a few basics. The placket: buttons should be well-spaced such that you can leave unfastened the top two buttons without exposing yourself. If you are buxom, and experience gaping, you'll want to wear a cami ("winter white") so the buttons don't pull. You'll find seams and darts on well-cut women's button-downs because we are curvy; men's button-downs are cut like rectangles. We want a higher armhole and a shaped hemline.

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Button-Down (similar) | Khakis | Flats | Vintage Opal Earrings (contact me) | Vintage Gold Bangles (contact me)

If you're wearing an oversized button-down like mine, and like we're seeing everywhere this Spring, make sure it has a curved hemline or it will look shapeless and hide the bit of leg we need to see so you don't lose all your height.

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