The white shirt: a wardrobe essential

The history of the white shirt
Although the white shirt has been around since ancient times, its purpose has evolved considerably. Originally, this garment was purely utilitarian. It was an ordinary item of underwear, with no buttons or collars, and was worn by men and women without distinction. But as time went by, it became more and more visible, assumed and worn with pride. By the 16th century, much more elaborate versions were appearing at all the European courts. These shirts featured frills, lace and other frills that were synonymous with style and wealth for their owners, with collars and cuffs that were worked and detachable.

As the shirt became a symbol of elegance and wealth, it's not surprising to learn that it reached its apogee among English gentlemen's clubs in the 19th century. It then tended to diversify. In Western societies in the throes of industrialisation, the colour of the shirt has become a social marker, with office workers opting for immaculate white and blue-collar workers wearing blue overalls. 
But today the white shirt is no longer a social marker, and all men and women the world over wear it with pride, from the Wall Street banker to the most decadent artist.
 
The colour white is now chosen for its elegance, but this was not always the case. Originally, shirts had to be white for reasons of hygiene. Black was synonymous with dirt, so clothing close to the body had to be as light as possible. This colour, so characteristic today, was also used for practical reasons. In the past, fabrics were boiled to be washed, but linen, hemp and wool tended to lose their colour in the wash, so white was the most resistant colour.

CAFÉ COTON and the white shirt
The tradition surrounding the white shirt is rich and captivating. However, this garment remains as fashionable and practical today as it was in the past: it's a wardrobe essential. That's why CAFÉ COTON offers its innovative vision of the white shirt, while keeping in mind the long tradition that precedes it.

Our uniquely varied range of weaves gives each of our white shirts its own identity, from the elegant and comfortable Twill to the formal Herringbone to the casual Oxford. Choose our white "Mao collar" shirt for a more casual look, or a "semi-Italian" collar to go with a tie for more formal occasions.