The Courier Shirt

Hello, it’s me. Utilita State, back on the blogging horse. For those who don’t know, I’ve officially packed my things and moved across the Atlantic to cute little Belgium (hence the short interruption in post programming). After living in both the US and Singapore for good chunks of my life, I figure it’s time I try out the old western world of Europe. Plus, my photographer slash “love of my life” is over here so yaknow, it’s really just practical. Anyhoo, a few things I’ve noticed about this country so far:

Everyone cycles and nobody wears helmets
Skinny heels in cobbled streets is LOL
People f*cking love bread

You can expect more commentary in the posts to come as I officially adjust into this new city.

Alright enough with the personal. Let’s get straight to business. Ladies and gentleman, I am pleased to cry out that SPRING. HAS. SPRUNG. Puffy-red pollen allergies et al. Though I hear our shy little girl is still hiding behind grey clouds back on the East Coast, she is in full force here and I couldn’t be more thrilled. To get a head start on shopping for this flirty season, allow me to introduce a piece that’ll shift your gears and set your red eyes on the budding flowers ahead [Please insert Benadryl].

THE UTILITY:

Oversized, boxy, and striped. Meet the Madewell courier shirt. It is what cotton dreams are made of. The American brand has perfected this effortless and versatile piece in each seasonal remake. This year’s update adds crisp talilah stripes and a slouchy shirttail hem. The boyish fit creates options for you to wear it both fully buttoned or with a few unpopped. Bonus: Madewell let’s you make it personal by offering embroidered monogramming on the pockets. I mean c’mon, who doesn’t love fancy embellishments and explicit ownership.

To note: store merchandisers are gonna try to swoon you over with bright neon colors and puffed sleeves as the ‘on trend’ items of the season, but remember: “Fashion fades, and only style remains the same” – Madame Chanel. You’ll get the biggest bang for your… euro (?)…. when you keep true to your personal core aesthetic. Pour moi, it is functional, comfortable, utility pieces that glide between the lines of office and casual wear. This courier shirt stands for no less, making it a no-brainer addition to my spring wardrobe.

Cap off the casual look by tying a silk red bandana around your neck. And yeah, sure, perhaps it appears a little wild-wild-west, but fetch me a cowboy hat cuz this is how you rock the #bandananecktie.

Featured: Madewell / Courier Shirt in Stripe Play

• Slightly oversized and boxy
• Folded sleeve and slouchy shirttail hem
• Cotton
• Machine wash
• Import (if in Europe)
• $69.50 USD / €79.35 EUR

Alternatives:

GUESS
Need Supply
Velvet by Graham & Spencer