After Falling In Love With A $100 T-Shirt, I Found The Perfect Alternative For Only $19

HuffPost Shopping managing editor Emily Ruane, 41, has about five of these shirts in a variety of stripes and solids. She said, "They're pretty much all I wear to work throughout the week. (And honestly, on the weekends! I just pair it with more casual pants.) It's definitely a softer and looser silhouette, so if you're looking for something really crisp and structured, this is probably not the shirt for you. I, however, love how ultralightweight it is. (It's great to wear when the weather is hot but you still want to look a little polished.) As someone who lives in button shirts but also wants to be extremely comfortable, this is the perfect compromise. The oversized fit is pretty spot-on, too – my usual size, a small, fits with a perfectly roomy/slouchy fit."

You can get it in ten colors in regular, tall and petite silhouettes in sizes XS-4XL.

No closet is complete until it has a chambray shirt. My 64-year-old mother doesn't wear a lot of button-up tops, but she loves this one from J.Jill. She says that it's soft and easy to layer, while the classic denim wash makes it easy to use with any color. Not only does she think it's a good fall transition piece, but she always has it in her travel bag. It's available in regular, tall and petite silhouettes in sizes in sizes XS-4XL.

My mother also owns (and looks fabulous in) this charming short-sleeved button-up blouse from Anthropologie. She said, "The shirred material gives it a bit of stretch, and it comes in a lot of nice prints and colors. I can dress it up or down — it's an easy look to pull together." You can get it in standard, petite or plus silhouettes in sizes XXS-XL. How gerat would that collar look poking up over a sweater?

This striped number at Amazon is timeless, crisp and wonderfully versatile. Made with 100% cotton, this Oxford blouse is perfect with jeans, trousers, skirts and even as a layering piece. You can get it in several different colors in sizes XS-3XL. One reviewer noted that it looks much more expensive than it actually is and another pointed out that it holds up well after multiple washes. It "just makes me feel beautiful," said shopper Stephanie.

This J.Crew Oxford shirt will keep things crisp with a hint of slouchy cool. Aiken also loves this shirt, despite the fact that it has a more limited colorway than the Gap option. It's a relaxed, roomy top made with breathable fabric that has just enough heft to feel structured and put-together. You can get it in three different colors in sizes XXS-3XL.

Reviewer Kel10 (who is over 55) said, "Love this shirt! The oversized fit is comfy and stylish. I like to wear it untucked and belt it at the waist for a fun 80s vibe. The fabric feels great and it always gets compliments."

HuffPost's head of audience, Abigail Williams, swears by this breezy button-up from J.Crew. She said, "I ended up buying this one in every color I could because it was so incredibly soft — it can work as a beach cover-up in the summer and a cozy base layer in winter. I wear it with jeans at home but have dressed it up for the office as well. It also seems to get softer with every wash, which I am doing frequently as I encounter my children's many messes throughout the day."

You can get this shirt in classic and petite silhouettes in a few different colors in sizes XXS-3XL. Reviewer JJ86 (who self-identified as being over 55 years old) called it a multi-season shirt, saying, "I have two of these shirts in hot pink and white and love them both. Not super heavy, but not see through. Great for spring, summer and fall."

As much as I love a crispy blouse, some days I want to be ensconced in a lightweight fabric that drapes the body, giving it a softer silhouette. This Uniqlo button-up is perfect for tucking into a pair of trousers or a skirt, and layers really nicely under sweaters when the temps drop. I love that it is a bit more form-fitting than a super-structured top, making it a lovely, feminine option. I've had one in black for several years and it has stood the test of time, both aesthetically and literally — I wash it regularly with zero issue. Uniqlo is a great place to shop for basics and wardrobe staples, and this shirt is a must-have for all.

Not one, but two HuffPost editors over 40 spoke of their love for this Gap shirt. 43-year-old editorial director Kristen Aiken said, "I have about 12 of these because they're just SO easy to throw on. The material is on the thicker side and doesn't really get too wrinkly, even if you just toss it in the washer and dryer without ironing (the secret is to just hang it up while it's warm and shake it out). I'm 5-foot-10 and I get the small tall, and it's ENORMOUS (in a good way that I like)."

HuffPost copy chief Ashleigh Graf, 44, echoed Aiken's sentiments, adding, "I also do the tall (I am 5'9"), because I like to be able to roll the sleeves. (Though my husband told me an outfit I wore recently with one of these made me look like Paul Reiser in "Mad About You," which, like, I take as a compliment.)"

You can get this popular Gap shirt in regular, tall and petite silhouettes in sizes XXS-XXL.

A couple years ago, I was riding the metro in Montreal when I spotted an effortlessly elegant woman wearing a silky, champagne-hued blouse, perfectly tailored jeans and simple black flats. The moment I was back stateside, I set about finding a similar top, and landed on this one from Banana Republic Factory. Sometimes, you just want something silky against the skin, and this impeccably designed shirt fits like a dream. It's the epitome of sophistication. The brand no longer has the champagne color that I wear, but this burgundy one is perfect for fall. It's also available in a few other beautiful colors in regular and petite silhouettes in sizes XXS-XXL.