Are white shirts really that "dressy"???

So every time I wear a plain white shirt to work, even a casual white shirt, the peppy middle-aged woman on news side says, "Well, you sure are dressed up today! What's the occasion?!"

Are white shirts seriously that "dressy"? To the point of being attention-drawing?

Just kind of always thought they were versatile and professional.

 

If you are self-conscious about it, just spill some mustard on the front. Problem solved.

 

They are if you're this guy:

 

A white shirt with a collar -- I assume you're not talking about a golf/polo shirt -- is indeed the most formal of the genre.

 

Here's the true test ... show up to work like this and see if she thinks you're dressed up:

 

It could be worse. You could be this guy...

 

But what if he doesn't want to be a pirate?

 

I had to wear white buttonup shirts for a restaurant job when I was a teen-ager, so I had a bunch of them and they became casual wear for me with jeans well into my 20s. As a teen-ager it was kind of my only statement of fashion individuality -- white shirt, faded jeans, white leather or canvas sneakers. I seldom wear jeans anymore, but I still think a white oxford cotton shirt with buttondown collar is great with a pair of flat-front khakis.

 

She's hitting on you and you haven't figured it out yet. Wait until she corners you at the 4th of July cookout.

 

A white shirt with a dark grey suit speaks "power"

But not a buttondown and preferably one with French cuffs.

I can't actually remember the last time I wore a suit.

 

Here's a piece from Esquire on white shirts from December. I really like wearing them.

http://www.esquire.com/style/fashion-story/whiteshirt1207

 

A suit every day? What is this the '20s? I better be able to wear a fedora and drink Jack Daniels in the press box if I'm going to put myself through that.

(Actually, it would be kind of cool, except it would be very expensive and everyone would think I was playing dress up like a 5-year-old trying to look older.)