Ping Pong Piece no 3

Yes, here we are again. The monthly collaboration that used to be Ping Pong Post (see the start of the feature here), has progressed from physical items into this ping-ponging of ideas instead. I'm so pleased that you've joined me to see the verdict on this month's piece chosen by Samantha - the white shirt. The new remit is for us to chose something ordinary that, hopefully, can inspire our joint readership. We all own a white shirt, don't we? Well let's see if we can enthuse you. 


I had to give a bit of a wry smile when I first saw this photo of Samantha's. To say she chose to showcase the white shirt, I really wanted to say "Where the heck is it?" as this must be the smallest white shirt I've seen! But wait. On reflection, Sam has done a great job in showing us something quite novel here. These little Peter Pan collars completely change the neckline of her dress which is obviously the whole point. Sam is all about layering, partly down to the cooler weather she has to cope with up in Scotland and this shows how she layers up for summer in the North.Today she looks all set for an afternoon about town with the girls, stepping out in style with these fab leopard print shoes. Top marks Samantha! Follow her blog Fakefabulous here and join her on instagram here.

Details -
Dress: Bonmarché
Belt: French Connection
Shoes: Office
Bag: Hidesign
Earrings: A gift
Glasses: Tkmax

Samantha has invited Monica to join in this month's challenge.


Monica, like me, is a huge fan of bright colours and pattern play, so the notion of a classic white shirt is almost an anathema to her. But like all good fashionistas she welcomed a new opportunity to stretch her comfort zone. Monica used the textured white shirt worn open to top off her bold outfit that is so much her signature style, while adding white sandals to tie the look together. Lashing of colourful jewellery by way of double necklaces and armfuls of bangles are typical of Senora Allnut style. The white shirt as an overshirt - tick. Another nifty move, this time from our guest blogger. Follow Monica on her blog Senora Allnut here or on instagram here.

Details -
- pants, Festa (old) / pantalón
- white shirt, La Redoute (ages ago) / camisa blanca, de hace siglos
- shoes, El Naturalista (last summer sales) / zapatos, rebajas del año pasado
- striped t-shirt, C&A (old) / camiseta rayas
- orange trench, La Redoute (old) / gabardina naranja
- necklace, Sfera (old) / collar
- bag, Surkana (old) / bolso



Annie won't mind me saying that she's the sex kitten of the group always raising the temperature with her take on the challenge. That coquettish pose along with the glimpse of her golden midriff is enough to assert her position in the luscious league. She has strategically tied her giant overshirt to draw the eyes downwards to cute white jeans, beaded anklets and pristine wedge sandals. Ann has given us all food for thought with her take on the white shirt. See more of Ann on her blog Kremb de la Kremb here or follow her on instagram here.

Details -
Earrings--Forever 21
Too many other baubles to mention!
Shirt--Shein
Jeans--Gloria Vanderbelt from charity shop, double DIYed hem by me
Sandals--Teva



My take on the classic white shirt is pretty conventional by my standards. The pleated front with pearl and gilt buttons mean my shirt offers enough detail to stop it from being a jaw breaking, big fat yawn. In fact, I shied away from what you may have expected from me - white ruffles and lavish chiffon - in favour of the most basic white shirt I own. 







I did joke with Polly about the fact that I look like a barista in this white shirt and waistcoat combo. But that aside, I enjoyed giving the more is more touch to my much neglected white shirt. Pattern play, metallics and a bit of bling all came together in a cohesive look which I will definitely wear again. I've been inspired by this challenge and I hope that you've been too.

Details -
Blouse: charity shopped
Waistcoat: River Island
Trousers: Primark
Boots: Primark
Ring and pendant: charity shopped
Sunglasses: Quay Australia

Linking with -
Catherine of Not Dressed As Lamb
Patti of Not Dead Yet Style
Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish
Laurie of Vanity And Me



Please join me on Thursday for a rather special post - see you then!


Anna x

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22 comments

  1. I must admit personally I really dislike wearing white shirts. They wash me out and remind me too much of my uniform when I worked in Pharmacy.

    You've all done a great take here. I probably like Samantha's outfit best because it show so little of the white shirt! Ha!

    bisous
    Suzanne

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    1. I think we all have memories of dreadful white school shirts or uniforms that dragged us down. That's what was so good to have this challenge. I enjoyed reinventing my white shirt into something that was stylish enough for me to enjoy.

      Anna x

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  2. I have a vest that is quite similar to this one and I love how you've mixed it with another pattern! I really love this look Anna and I'm officially in search of a pant that can help me replicate this look. I really enjoy these ping pong posts. If you amazing women ever consider throwing an invitation to a non-blogger/ avid-follower to join in a challenge...please know that I'm first in line! ;-)

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    1. This waistcoat/vest was a recent find and at only £3.50 was a wonderful little surprise to come across in a charity shop. I was so happy with the way that this all turned out, particularly as I, like most of us, have dreadful memories of white school shirts.

      I hear you about the style challenge and have your name on my list Jude x

      Anna

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  3. Yes, all of you look fab in your brilliant outfits based around a simple white shirt! I do love your metallic boots, Anna...

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    1. I agree that this was a resounding success for us all too Veronica. The boots are adorable - all the more so for being in the sale at Primark for £5!

      Anna x

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  4. You are just too clever at mixing those prints Anna! And Anne is looking smoking hot in her photo. xx
    www.vanityandmestyle.com

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    1. These prints were just begging for the chance of an outing together Laurie. And yes, Ann can't help looking smouldering most of the time!

      Anna x

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  5. All fabulous outfits! I own a white shirt just for layering and for letting special pieces shine. Thanks so much for sharing all these great looks, Anna!

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    1. I think it's essential to have a white shirt or two stashed away for that very reason Sheila. This monthly challenge really does bring the best out in us gals!

      Anna x

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  6. Hello my lovely! Hope you are well! Thank you for your sweet comment! Please don't worry about not commenting! I'm just as bad at doing it in recent times (all Instagram's fault!) It's always lovely WHEN you do comment and even nicer to know I am thought of! I do like this challenge. Surprisingly, given my love of colour, I have MANY white shirts (some with a cute collar!) I like doing what the first lady has done (as you must know!) but I love what everyone has done- all very good and diverse looks!Your waistcoat and trouser combo is genius!!x

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    1. Kezzie dearest, I'm so pleased to hear from you too. The white shirt crops up on your instagram feed quite a lot, but it does act as a backdrop to all of your brooches and clips which makes perfect sense. This challenge was more fun this month than I expected thanks to the lovely waistcoat turning up in the nick of time.

      Have a great week x
      Anna

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  7. I like all these looks, and they're all giving me ideas. I usually find a white shirt too staid, but you all have shown that not to be true! Love your pattern mixing. xox

    -Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

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    1. Thanks Patti. I'm so pleased that the feature has inspired you. I agree that the classic white shirt does suffer under that misconception, but at least we've blown that "boring" label clean out of the water!

      Anna x

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  8. This goes to show that with a little imagination a white shirt is never boring. What I so enjoy about this series is everyones take on the same theme.Your skill with patterns and contrasts shines through.

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    1. Everyone owns a white shirt and hopefully we've helped to explode the myth of them being staid/boring with this feature. I love this series for exactly the same reason Jill as we never share notes or ideas so it's always a surprise right up to the last minute for us too.

      Cheers!
      Anna x

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  9. Ha ha! That you are the most conventional of the 4 is saying something! You all look great, of course, and make such a diverse group of stylish women! I love your pattern mixing and shoes, as I've said many times before. I'm just catching up on your last posts since I've been technology deficient lately! And Polly's back! Let summer begin!

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    1. I just love to deliver the unexpected Julia so this was a great chance to play the conventional card. Yes, I hammed it up with pattern play and silver boots, but hey the shirt was pretty classic...

      Am delighted that you're back online x
      Anna

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  10. Conventional?
    Anna?
    Not in a million years!
    Nothing about this is conventional.....okay maybe on paper "Long sleeve shirt, trousers, boots, waistcoat". BUT, in reality, its a shimmering delight that reminded me of a mermaid/merman (Due to it's androgynous feel) given their legs for the first time.
    A delight for the eyes!
    Sam
    XXX
    Fake Fabulous | Fashion & Style, over 40

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    1. It was great fun to play it down this month Sam. The shirt was the perfect foil to play against the silver boots and pattern mixing. I get what you mean about the shimmery effect - thanks x

      Anna

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  11. such a fabulous clash of rich textures, and such a fabulous & subtle color combo!, you rock!
    Pants and a waistcoat could create a masculine/barista style, but there's also a romantic and artistic vibe which I love!
    besos

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  12. I love this outfit! So tecxturally interesting and the white shirt is classic with so many looks! Everone styled it brilliantly! Love those fancy shoes too!
    thanks for linking!
    jess xx
    www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com

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