Friends, majority of you must have been noticed and agree to me on the fact that a classic white dress shirt has made its omnipresence in men’s fashion and is a must in each of us wardrobe. Right? So let’s get to know some untold facts about this once called ‘Status Symbol’.. But did you know, being the oldest garments worn by gentlemen before the Middle Ages, the white shirt existed as a piece of clothing, but only in the form of underwear or as a night gown !!
By the time the 1800’s rolled around, the shirt was not worn as underwear anymore. The collar grew excessively and was decorated with embroidery and lace. It was only at the end of WWI that the modern shirt with buttons and all become popular, as the first buttoned shirt was certified by Brown Davies & Co in 1871.

For men, the influence of the white dress shirt can be best traced back to the Victorian era where it was an important symbol of wealth, class distinction and a powerful emblem of sobriety and uniformity – despite it being for the most part hidden by outer garments
At the beginning of the 19th century, pure white color can only be worn by a person of substantial prosperity as they could afford to have their shirts washed frequently and to own enough of them to wear.

The link between social distinction and color of the cloth was a marker for affluence. As mentioned above, working-class members of society could not afford to have their clothes washed very often. these social conditions led society to associate the color with higher social status and wealth. In the 19th century, fashion was enshrined in social life, with the white shirt being worn under all other garments, with only the collar and the cuffs visible from the outside. Even these tiny portions of the shirt were then enough to claim a higher rank in social class.

Symbol of masculinity:

Prior to the mid-1800s, the white collared dress shirt was worn by men in the workplace and not widely accepted in women's fashion. Thus, the garment quickly became associated with masculinity and power, a "uniform" of sorts, that was seen as a form of armor for men who wanted to be identified as respectable, business-like professionals. The shape of the white dress shirt with its stiff, triangular collar and fitted cut was the perfect design for portraying the anatomy of masculinity. The color white would soon become associated with morality, indicative of a man's trustworthiness, piety and respectability as a member of society.
It wasn't long before businessmen made the white, button-down dress shirt a required uniform for workers in the office environment. Even now, you can still see the influence of the white dress shirt in modern offices. These shirts have created a very visible distinction between the working classes; most notably in the coined terms "white-collar" and "blue-collar."
While white-collar is a term used to describe people who work in offices, the term blue-collar has become synonymous with manual labor.White : Purity, Cleanliness

Color evolution:

By the end of 19th century, the meaning of the white shirt was changing dramatically. The increasing availability and affordability of the shirt that was once a symbol of high status made it lose value, being slowly replaced by modern, simplistic versions of the iconic classic that focused on subtle differences in design such as style, cut, fabric and brand. At the same time, the stiffness of the white collared shirt, with its angular cuts, was exchanged for more relaxed fits suitable for formal attire. Movie stars and music icons started bringing their own interpretations to the classic apparel, with Prince wearing a white shirt with ruffles on the front, and The Beatles donning white shirts with ties.

Political underpinning:

In the same way that all colors have associative links with certain feelings and traditions, the color white has unique psychological associations. While the color white is, from a scientific perspective, an achromatic color made up of an equal balance between all colors on the spectrum, it is also the symbol of balance, wholeness and completion. White has also been linked to purity, innocence, equality and new beginnings. These emotional and spiritual links with white has made it the choice of color for many political icons past and present, especially female politicians.

On That Note:

Starting as only an undergarment and nightgown, the white shirt has revolutionized itself to become one of the most famous, timeless and perfect pieces of clothing known to man. Versatile in its various cuts, shapes and styles, it’s an ideal piece of clothing to own as it suits every style and body type. There are so many reasons to own more than one white shirt, after all, it wouldn’t have lasted for centuries otherwise !!