(Left to right) Ann Taylor Weekend Frayed Mid Rise Wide Leg Jeans in Ivory; Gap Organic Cotton Perfect Shirt; Sam Edelman Ethyl Low Top Sneaker in Bright White Leather; Pacifica Illume UPF

Relaxed Jacket in Poppy Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Ann Taylor; Nordstrom; The Gap; Athleta) Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

White shirts are wonderful for women of every age but as we get older, there are even more reasons to love them, especially in spring and summer. A white shirt keeps you cool. (Hallelujah!)

It frames your face and reflects light. It’s versatile. A classic one is a money-saving workhorse and pairs with almost anything in your wardrobe, from blazer to bathing suit to brightly

Here are some surefire white-shirt formulas:

Kenneth Jay Lane Pearl Triple Strand Necklace Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Macy's; Halsbrook)

Tuck in a white shirt like this beauty — Classic Fit Non-Iron Stretch Supima Cotton Dress Shirt ($118, brooksbrothers.com) — and blouse it a little. Open up the neck to showcase a statement

necklace like the Kenneth Jay Lane Pearl Triple Strand Necklace ($150, halsbrook.com). With a sleek skirt like the Aqua Pleated Satin Midi Skirt in black ($78, bloomingdales.com), a

kitten-heeled pump like the Journee Collection Women’s Manza Kitten Heels in black ($70, macys.com) and a small clutch, this elegant look can take you to a cocktail party, a shower, a

graduation, even a daytime wedding.

Spade Fortune Spinner Square Silk Scarf in Pink Multi Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Macy's; Zara; Nordstrom)

A navy blazer like this Tailored Double Breasted Blazer ($90, zara.com) makes a chic combination with a white shirt such as Fitted Cotton Shirt ($46, mango.com), a printed silk scarf like

this Kate Spade Fortune Spinner Square Silk Scarf in Pink Multi ($88, nordstrom.com) and jeans in a medium wash like these Levi’s Women’s 726 Western Flare Slim Fit Jeans ($70, macys.com) to

wear to work — assuming jeans are permitted. Unbutton the shirt collar and knot the scarf at your collarbone. Just add loafers or low-heeled pumps and a shoulder bag. The same look can take

you to a meeting, to lunch or to an afternoon event such as an art show, lecture or concert.

Taylor Weekend Frayed Mid Rise Wide Leg Jeans in Ivory; Gap Organic Cotton Perfect Shirt; Pacifica Illume UPF Relaxed Jacket in Poppy; Sam Edelman Ethyl Low Top Sneaker in Bright White

Leather Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Ann Taylor; Nordstrom; The Gap; Athleta)

For a snappy, updated weekend look, pair a colorful hoodie like the Pacifica Illume UPF Relaxed Jacket in Poppy ($98, athleta.gap.com) with an affordable white shirt such as Organic Cotton

Perfect Shirt ($39, gap.com), white jeans like the Ann Taylor Weekend Frayed Mid Rise Wide Leg Jeans in Ivory ($90, anntaylor.com) and sneakers like the Sam Edelman Ethyl Low Top Sneaker in

Bright White Leather ($80, nordstrom.com). Leave the shirt untucked so the hem peeks from below the jacket. Add a crossbody bag or backpack to keep up the sporty attitude.

+ Print pants + Straw hat + Espadrilles (Left to right) Zara ZW Collection Printed Pants; Miz Mooz Carmena Flat in Ocean Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Zara; Nordstrom)

Create a beachy vibe by wearing a shirt like the Women’s Oxford Shirt in White ($42, landsend.com) half-tucked into printed cotton pants like the ZW Collection Printed Pants ($70, zara.com).

(Love this blue and white combination!) A straw hat like this cute Bucket Hat in Natural ($30, loft.com) and colorful espadrilles such as Miz Mooz Carmena Flat in Ocean ($90, nordstrom.com)

evoke island style à la St. Barts or Capri.