Do you remember how Sharon Stone showed up at the Oscars a while back? She borrowed a crisp, white, button-down shirt from her husband at the time, rolled up the sleeves and popped up the collar to frame her beautiful face and paired it with a simple cocktail skirt. She was applauded for that fabulous fashion statement, because it showed the sheer class and versatility of a simple white button-down shirt, and what it can do for every woman. The white button-down shirt is definitely a couture classic that belongs in your (walk-in) closet.
Sarah Alexandra McKinney feels the same way. And it’s because of this that she created the upscale shirt line Sarah Alexandra, offering crisp button-down shirts that are special. First, the shirts are made in Florence, Italy, and right then and there, you know you’re getting a super luxe shirt. Second, an Italian shirtmaker fine-tuned all the details of the shirts so that they would offer the ideal upscale fit. “The fit is key,” Sarah says. “We spent a lot of time in preproduction and had 16 women of all body types test-drive the shirts. The feedback was very helpful, and from there we hired a very detailed patternmaker and fit specialist.”
Third, there is a wide variety of shirts in all colors and patterns – but the simple white shirt, with its popped-up collar, definitely makes every woman look long and lean, no matter your size. (Personally, I have never worn a button-down shirt without popping up the collar, rolling up the sleeves and pairing it with pearls or French Kande necklaces – even if I’m just wearing jeans. I’m only 5’3”, but my Sarah Alexandra shirt makes me resemble a long-legged model.) This is the sassy shirt-to-end-all shirts for women who appreciate timeless style and demand extraordinary quality. Indeed, the $365 Signature white shirts are best sellers, and come in five distinct styles:
Pique-A-Boo: — Made of 100% Italian cotton, it features couture cuffs for extra elegance;
High Roller – White broadcloth with a gold pinstripe. It’s the jackpot;
The Right White – Perfect for the playground or the podium;
White Out – Made of white twill that is crisp and bright;
Snow Angel – Made of 100% cotton flannel. Prepare for a flurry of compliments;
Part of the Classic collection, my favorite is the $365 Gold Coast signature shirt with a metallic brocade of dots. It is chic, sexy and timeless. “It’s quite popular,” Sarah says, “I’m always restocking it.”
Coming this spring is the Boho shirt. You can easily send your inner flower child to finishing school with this romantic, new, exclusive style from Sarah and her co-collaborator, the fine jewelry designer, perfumier and lifestyle curator Maria Christofilis. Sarah’s polished perfection meets Maria’s free-spirited, artistic sensibility in this resort-ready pullover designed for wanderlust. Featuring a banded collar with rounded corners and flirty, feminine ruching at the shoulders and yoke, it’s effortlessly chic. Also on the agenda for April is the new $310 Little Miss Sunshine shirt made of yellow-and-white gingham with cap sleeves.
So remember this: Go glam with your Sarah Alexandra shirt – or go home. – Debbi K. Kickham
For more, visit sarahalexandra.com. And follow Debbi on Instagram at @DebbiKickham.
