There’s just something about Ina Garten that, in spite of her idyllic Hamptons lifestyle, makes her seem like the down-to-earth friend you’d love to have lunch with (especially if she’s doing the cooking). Maybe it’s her ability to create recipes that feel elevated but never too complicated for the home cook. Perhaps it’s the way she makes hosting get-togethers look as easy as brushing one’s teeth. Or, it could be the fact that her style rarely strays from what she calls her “uniform”: a breezy denim button-down.
The Barefoot Contessa’s simple yet chic wardrobe has become synonymous with the casual top, which she buys from Talbots. Because it can be worn alone or as a layering piece, it’s pretty much the perfect fall shirt. Want the look? The brand’s Denim Short Shirt will have you saying things like, “How bad can that be?”
Talbots
When Ina Garten buys something in multiples, you know it’s gotta be good. This goes-with-everything top just might become your fave fall fashion find.
When it comes to cooking garb, Garten has a somewhat surprising opinion. “I don’t like wearing an apron while I’m working,” she tells HuffPost, “so I find a denim shirt or a corduroy shirt and I buy 25 of them.” As she explains in a Food Network article, “It’s like a uniform, I don’t have to worry about it.” Hey, it makes getting dressed in the morning a whole lot easier!
But she doesn’t buy just any denim shirt. In a recent appearance on Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ podcast, Wiser Than Me, she says, “I got a shirt from Talbots that I just loved. And I asked if they could make it for me in different fabrics. And they said, sure.”
Now, not all of us can just reach out to a clothing brand requesting custom designs, but the Talbots Denim Short Shirt is a dead-ringer for the top Ina wears.
She goes on to say, “I have them in corduroy for the winter. And I have them in denim [and] chambray for the summer. And I know I can put it on and feel comfortable and feel like it looks put together.”
Indeed, this denim shirt would look fab paired with close to anything — you could wear it with black or tan trousers for a more elevated look, or layer it over a long dress with some fall boots. And for a weekend of errands, swap the sweats for this top worn with some leggings and cute sneakers (Garten loves Allbirds).
Because this shirt is the brand’s shorter style, it won’t feel too long, but it’s not so short that it can’t be tucked in. The medium-wash makes it look more elevated than a super-light shade, and it’s made of 100% cotton rather than a synthetic blend. We also love that it comes in a wide range of sizes, including misses, petite, plus and plus petite options.
In case an Ina Garten endorsement alone isn’t enough to sell you, here’s what reviewers think of this versatile top.
“So many denim shirts are meant to be worn out and open, almost as a light jacket,” wrote a fan. “This shirt is perfect for tucking into high-waisted pants or skirts or for laying under a sweater. I just love the weight and feel of it.”
“This shirt will go with many outfits, taking me from late summer into fall,” shared another. “[The] fit is terrific for me, and because I am short-waisted, the new length is flattering.”
“Love the flattering shorter length (finally!),” agreed a third. “The denim fabric is a nice weight and color.”
“For me, the fit is perfect, not boxy, flattering,” said a generally pleased shopper. “It can be worn by itself or over a tank or tee.” That said, they added, “The sleeves are a bit long, especially because the cuffs are deep. I usually fold them up anyway. The fabric is very soft.”
“Cute, but runs large,” noted a final shopper. “Kind of big in the shoulders, sleeves were long and with seemingly extra fabric in the back so that the overall look was kind of big and sloppy. I did like the shorter length…” (FYI, this reviewer tried the shirt on in-store, but there are more sizes available online.)
Talbots
We’re not saying you need to buy 25 of these shirts like Ina, but given how many ways there are to wear it, at least one belongs in your closet…
Psst: We also found a more affordable lookalike!
Amazon
This denim top by Lee is a solid bet that won’t break the bank. Like the Talbots shirt, it comes in a medium wash with a single pocket and white buttons, and it’s made of 100% cotton.
“This denim shirt is very well made,” said a reviewer. “The fabric is not too heavy, but not too thin. I usually wear a medium but ordered a large to wear over a T-shirt and with leggings, plus it allows for some shrinkage since it’s 100% cotton. I like the medium blue color too.”
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
