With the new season of Strictly Come Dancing in full swing, Emma Willis has got stuck right in to her new role as host, along with Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe. And she’s treated us to some behind-the-scenes action, sharing photos of the presenting trio backstage.
In her recap of the first week of the competition, we couldn’t help noticing Emma’s excellent outfit choice. No, we’re not talking about the pale pink sequined gown she wore on screen. Instead, we mean the little peek we got of the striped shirt Emma opted for while prepping for the show.
This is far from the first time Emma has gone for a vertically striped shirt in a shade of blue. Take a quick scroll through her Instagram and you’ll spot either this exact shirt or similar styles over and over. We’ve even spotted her husband Matt Willis wearing an identical shirt (perhaps they’re sharing wardrobes?). Whether she’s recording for breakfast radio or testing out M&S sandwiches, it seems a striped shirt is Emma’s failsafe go-to.
That makes sense. A striped shirt really is a staple that will never, ever go out of style. It works for absolutely everyone – a slightly oversized fit is comfy but looks chic, while vertical stripes draw the eye up to create the illusion of extra height – and fits all sorts of everyday needs. A striped shirt looks suitably smart for work (even if you chuck it on over a pair of jeans), but feels easy enough for the weekend, too. Worn unbuttoned, it can even function as a breezy layer on top of a summer dress.
It feels smart but not stiff. Pulled-together without being stuffy. And you can choose any colours and stripe widths you like, and it’ll still look great.
If you don’t already have a reliable striped shirt in your wardrobe, worry not. We’ve picked out some excellent high street options ahead.
First up: a classic blue and white striped style from M&S. Made of pure cotton and with an oversized fit, this shirt is so easy to wear – and it’s a bargain at just £20.
M&S Pure Cotton Striped Oversized Shirt
Jigsaw has a lovely striped shirt in an unusual colour palette of blue, salmon, and light brown.
And this classic blue and white style from Whistles is currently 60% off – so we’d advise shopping fast.
