How to Wear a Button-Down Like...

I can’t consider it’s already April. I felt like January and February crawled by, however now—increase—it’s April! Final yr, I began publishing extra styling posts and obtained a whole lot of nice suggestions, so I vowed to do extra in 2025. Thus far, I’ve touched on animal print outfit ideas, classic fashion tips, and how to style baggy jeans. And as we speak, I’m coming at you with a subject that has been on my to-do record for a while—methods to put on a button-down shirt.

I’m actually enthusiastic about this publish as a result of there are limitless methods to type 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 publish, I’ll be diving into a number of of my favourite shirts, styling ideas and methods, and, after all, some button-down outfit concepts.

My Favourite Button-Down Shirts

An ideal button-down shirt is a classic fashion staple, so once I discover one I like, it will get a whole lot of put on. Currently 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 underneath $100—most are even underneath $50!

1. Blended Stripe Button-Down

First up is that this enjoyable mixed stripe button-down. This type is barely outsized with a drop shoulder, giving it a extra informal, lived-in really feel. You’ll discover that fairly a number of of the shirts on as we speak’s record 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 publish.

2. Go-To Button-Down

Should you’ve been following me for the reason that early days, you understand I wore this top for years. I at all times obtained so many feedback, DMs, and emails asking about it, but it surely was always offered out. After years of looking, this stylish off-white button-down is essentially the most comparable type I’ve discovered. I needed to retire my trusty MK high after it began wanting far too ratty, so I’m thrilled to have discovered a substitute in any case these years!

This is the button-down that may do all of it. Whereas it has a barely free match, it’s not outsized, and the slick, cool material provides it a dressier really feel. It’s additionally out there in additional colours here and here, plus there’s a short-sleeve model here—good if you happen to’re questioning methods to put on a button-down within the summertime!

3. Gauzy Button-Down (Below $20!)

Talking of summertime, this lightweight gauze button-down is one other nice possibility—and it’s solely $20! Made from100% cotton, this high has a looser match and a barely longer physique, giving off effortlessly informal vibes. With practically 600 five-star evaluations, you understand it’s a superb one!

Should you’re seeking to create colourful button-down shirt outfits, this type is available in some enjoyable summer time hues. However personally, I opted for a timeless white!

4. Linen Button-Down (Below $50!)

I’d as nicely maintain the spring and summer time materials rolling…subsequent up, linen! Accessible in three basic colours, this button-down is my present favourite linen possibility—and I didn’t come to this resolution calmly. I examined out a number of kinds and weights from 4 completely different manufacturers, however this $45 type was the winner! It’s the right weight, and since I’m into the outsized look, the match is a ten/10.

5. Basic Cotton Button-Down (Below $20!)

No publish on methods to put on a button-down can be full with out a timeless cotton possibility. This under-$20 shirt has all of the basic shirting particulars, and I’d say it’s essentially the most versatile type on as we speak’s record. Whereas it’s technically labeled as “outsized”, it feels extra like a relaxed boyfriend match than really outsized, for my part.

This button-down is available in over ten lovely colours. I grabbed the yellow stripe—as a result of everyone knows yellow is having a second!

Suggestions & Methods on Tips on how to Put on a Button-Down

Styling a button-down is straightforward and enjoyable as a result of there are limitless prospects. And you understand the drill—I don’t consider in style guidelines—however I do love sharing my private styling ideas and methods within the hopes of offering some outfit inspiration.

Listed here are my high 4 items of recommendation on methods to put on a button-down.

1. Play with Proportion

One tip I’ve talked about in a lot 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.

Attempt balancing the quantity by pairing an outsized button-down with a slim mini skirt for an elegant mixture of free and fitted. Or, check out the alternative finish of the spectrum and elegance it with loose, wide-leg jeans for an effortlessly cool look!

2. Add Layers for Curiosity

From my early days in San Francisco, I realized the artwork of layering—and it has caught with me ever since. There are such a lot of nice button-down shirt outfits you’ll be able to create simply by taking part in with layers!

Attempt popping a striped crewneck tee underneath a striped button-down, layering a cropped sweater over an extended button-down, and even sporting two button-downs for a daring double collar second. These are just some methods layering can maintain your styling feeling contemporary and surprising.

3. Check Out Totally different Tucks

Untucked, totally tucked, half-tucked, French-tucked…this record goes on and on! With regards to methods to put on a button-down, there are not any guidelines—so experiment with completely different tucks to see what works greatest for you.

And bear in mind, the way in which you tuck a button-down can fully change the look. This lets you put on one easy high 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 method to elevate the look.

Should you’re searching for some jewellery inspo, try this post, this post and this post.

Button-Down Shirt Outfits

Now that I’ve shared my favourite button-downs and a few styling ideas, let’s dive into outfit concepts. Should you’ve been questioning methods to put on a button-down, these appears gives 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 considered one of 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 good instance of volume-on-volume styling—with out feeling overwhelming!

A Informal Summer season Look

Now, let’s leap right into a extra informal, summer time look. I paired this under-$20 gauze top with these Ikat pants for a simple, breezy vibe. Currently, I’ve been very into turquoise jewellery, so I added a number of turq touches, together with this necklace and this necklace.

To maintain issues simple and light-weight, I styled the look with these simple sandals and this bag, which I just lately snagged on The RealReal. 

A Dressy Outfit

I actually liked this look that I just lately posted, so I assumed it could be enjoyable to reimagine it in a brand new method. As an alternative of the plain white tee, I paired this green printed blazer and chic pencil skirt with this light blue fluid top. 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 like—a number of layers and an Americana vibe. This look has each! I paired this blue-striped top with an older crimson mini skirt I picked up at Mango, this classic sweater, and these affordable sunnies. For footwear, I went with these new red, white, and blue flats. And to present this button-down outfit a extra informal really feel, I merely grabbed my boat tote!

Tips on how to Put on a Button-Down for Each Event (H2)

Should you’ve been on the hunt for concepts on methods to put on a button-down, I hope this publish has been useful. The excellent news is, there’s actually no incorrect method to type these tops. They’re extremely versatile, and with so many nice, inexpensive choices, they’re a complete win-win!

For extra warm-weather type inspiration, make sure you try these posts: