I can’t imagine it’s already April. I felt like January and February crawled by, however now—increase—it’s April! Final 12 months, I began publishing extra styling posts and acquired lots of nice suggestions, so I vowed to do extra in 2025. To date, I’ve touched on animal print outfit concepts, basic style ideas, and the right way to model saggy denims. And right this moment, I’m coming at you with a subject that has been on my to-do checklist for a while—the right way to put on a button-down shirt.
I’m actually enthusiastic about this put up as a result of there are infinite methods to model button-downs. Their versatility permits them to be worn in outfits starting from informal to dressy, making them a lot enjoyable to mess around with! On this put up, I’ll be diving into just a few of my favourite shirts, styling ideas and methods, and, in fact, some button-down outfit concepts.
My Favourite Button-Down Shirts
An important button-down shirt is a basic style staple, so after I discover one I really like, it will get lots of put on. These days I’ve been reaching for my Veronica Beard Llyod button-down nonstop. Sadly, it’s now not in inventory, so I went on the hunt for some shoppable kinds to share with you all. And wow, did I discover some gems! Not solely are they in inventory, however they’re all below $100—most are even below $50!
1. Blended Stripe Button-Down
First up is that this enjoyable combined stripe button-down. This model is barely outsized with a drop shoulder, giving it a extra informal, lived-in really feel. You’ll discover that fairly just a few of the shirts on right this moment’s checklist are outsized—that’s the pattern proper now! Whereas many outsized appears are strictly informal, I’ll even be highlighting some dressier button-down shirt outfits later on this put up.
2. Go-To Button-Down
In case you’ve been following me for the reason that early days, you already know I wore this prime for years. I at all times acquired so many feedback, DMs, and emails asking about it, nevertheless it was consistently bought out. After years of looking out, this stylish off-white button-down is essentially the most comparable model I’ve discovered. I needed to retire my trusty MK prime after it began trying far too ratty, so I’m thrilled to have discovered a alternative in any case these years!
This is the button-down that may do all of it. Whereas it has a barely unfastened match, it’s not outsized, and the slick, cool cloth provides it a dressier really feel. It’s additionally out there in additional colours right here and right here, plus there’s a short-sleeve model right here—excellent in the event you’re questioning the right way to put on a button-down within the summertime!
3. Gauzy Button-Down (Beneath $20!)
Talking of summertime, this light-weight gauze button-down is one other nice choice—and it’s solely $20! Made from100% cotton, this prime has a looser match and a barely longer physique, giving off effortlessly informal vibes. With practically 600 five-star opinions, you already know it’s a superb one!
In case you’re trying to create colourful button-down shirt outfits, this model is available in some enjoyable summer season hues. However personally, I opted for a timeless white!
4. Linen Button-Down (Beneath $50!)
I’d as properly preserve the spring and summer season materials rolling…subsequent up, linen! Out there in three basic colours, this button-down is my present favourite linen choice—and I didn’t come to this resolution frivolously. I examined out a number of kinds and weights from 4 totally different manufacturers, however this $45 model was the winner! It’s the proper weight, and since I’m into the outsized look, the match is a ten/10.
5. Traditional Cotton Button-Down (Beneath $20!)
No put up on the right way to put on a button-down can be full with no timeless cotton choice. This under-$20 shirt has all of the basic shirting particulars, and I’d say it’s essentially the most versatile model on right this moment’s checklist. Whereas it’s technically labeled as “outsized”, it feels extra like a relaxed boyfriend match than actually outsized, in my view.
This button-down is available in over ten stunning colours. I grabbed the yellow stripe—as a result of everyone knows yellow is having a second!
Ideas & Methods on Easy methods to Put on a Button-Down
Styling a button-down is straightforward and enjoyable as a result of there are infinite potentialities. And you already know the drill—I don’t imagine in style guidelines—however I do love sharing my private styling ideas and methods within the hopes of offering some outfit inspiration.
Listed below are my prime 4 items of recommendation on the right way to put on a button-down.
1. Play with Proportion
One tip I’ve talked about in lots of my styling posts is “don’t be afraid to play with proportion“. This rings very true right here, as lots of the button-downs I’ve highlighted are outsized or relaxed.
Strive balancing the quantity by pairing an outsized button-down with a slim mini skirt for a classy mixture of unfastened and fitted. Or, check out the alternative finish of the spectrum and magnificence it with unfastened, wide-leg denims for an effortlessly cool look!
2. Add Layers for Curiosity
From my early days in San Francisco, I discovered the artwork of layering—and it has caught with me ever since. There are such a lot of nice button-down shirt outfits you may create simply by enjoying with layers!
Strive popping a striped crewneck tee below a striped button-down, layering a cropped sweater over an extended button-down, and even carrying two button-downs for a daring double collar second. These are only a few methods layering can preserve your styling feeling recent and sudden.
3. Check Out Totally different Tucks
Untucked, totally tucked, half-tucked, French-tucked…this checklist goes on and on! In the case of the right way to put on a button-down, there aren’t any guidelines—so experiment with totally different tucks to see what works greatest for you.
And keep in mind, the best way you tuck a button-down can utterly change the look. This lets you put on one easy prime in so many various methods!
4. Decorate, Decorate, Decorate
Personally, I’m thrilled that we’re again in a style cycle that embraces maximalism and plenty of layered equipment. Even essentially the most primary denim-and-white-button-down outfit can get infinitely cooler just by opening the collar a bit and including some layered necklaces. Rolling up the sleeves and stacking bracelets is one other simple solution to elevate the look.
In case you’re in search of some jewellery inspo, take a look at this put up, this put up and this put up.
Button-Down Shirt Outfits
Now that I’ve shared my favourite button-downs and a few styling ideas, let’s dive into outfit concepts. In case you’ve been questioning the right way to put on a button-down, these appears offers you loads of inspiration—from informal on a regular basis outfits to dressy night-out ensembles!
A Informal/Dressy Combine
First up, let’s play with proportion and create a glance that’s a mixture of dressy and informal. For this look I paired this striped button-down with one among my favourite Oscar De La Renta skirts. I added these sparkly heels in yellow, to tie the colour scheme collectively.
This button-down shirt outfit is a superb instance of volume-on-volume styling—with out feeling overwhelming!
A Informal Summer season Look
Now, let’s bounce right into a extra informal, summer season look. I paired this under-$20 gauze prime with these Ikat pants for a simple, breezy vibe. These days, I’ve been very into turquoise jewellery, so I added plenty of turq touches, together with this necklace and this necklace.
To maintain issues simple and lightweight, I styled the look with these easy sandals and this bag, which I lately snagged on The RealReal.
A Dressy Outfit
I actually cherished this look that I lately posted, so I believed it will be enjoyable to reimagine it in a brand new method. As a substitute of the plain white tee, I paired this inexperienced printed blazer and stylish pencil skirt with this gentle blue fluid prime. So as to add a bit extra blue, I wore these velvet flats. Nonetheless, I did resolve to maintain the inexperienced bag!
An Americana Look
Two issues I really like—plenty of layers and an Americana vibe. This look has each! I paired this blue-striped prime with an older purple mini skirt I picked up at Mango, this basic sweater, and these reasonably priced sunnies. For footwear, I went with these new purple, white, and blue flats. And to provide this button-down outfit a extra informal really feel, I merely grabbed my boat tote!
Easy methods to Put on a Button-Down for Each Event (H2)
In case you’ve been on the hunt for concepts on the right way to put on a button-down, I hope this put up has been useful. The excellent news is, there’s actually no mistaken solution to model these tops. They’re extremely versatile, and with so many nice, reasonably priced choices, they’re a complete win-win!
For extra warm-weather model inspiration, you’ll want to take a look at these posts:
