
I can’t consider it’s already April. I felt like January and February crawled by, however now—growth—it’s April! Final 12 months, I began publishing extra styling posts and acquired a number of nice suggestions, so I vowed to do extra in 2025. To date, I’ve touched on animal print outfit ideas, classic fashion tips, and how to style baggy jeans. And at the moment, I’m coming at you with a subject that has been on my to-do listing for a while— put on a button-down shirt.
I’m actually enthusiastic about this submit 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 submit, I’ll be diving into just a few of my favourite shirts, styling ideas and tips, and, after all, some button-down outfit concepts.
My Favourite Button-Down Shirts
A fantastic button-down shirt is a classic fashion staple, so after I discover one I like, it will get a number of put on. Recently I’ve been reaching for my Veronica Beard Llyod button-down nonstop. Sadly, it’s not in inventory, so I went on the hunt for some shoppable types to share with you all. And wow, did I discover some gems! Not solely are they in inventory, however they’re all beneath $100—most are even beneath $50!
1. Combined Stripe Button-Down
First up is that this enjoyable mixed 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 at the moment’s listing 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 submit.
2. Go-To Button-Down
When you’ve been following me because the early days, you realize I wore this top for years. I all the time acquired so many feedback, DMs, and emails asking about it, but it surely was consistently offered 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 high after it began wanting far too ratty, so I’m thrilled to have discovered a alternative in spite of everything 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 material offers it a dressier really feel. It’s additionally out there in additional colours here and here, plus there’s a short-sleeve model here—excellent should you’re questioning put on a button-down within the summertime!
3. Gauzy Button-Down (Beneath $20!)
Talking of summertime, this lightweight gauze button-down is one other nice choice—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 almost 600 five-star evaluations, you realize it’s a superb one!
When you’re seeking to create colourful button-down shirt outfits, this model is available in some enjoyable summer time hues. However personally, I opted for a timeless white!
4. Linen Button-Down (Beneath $50!)
I’d as nicely preserve the spring and summer time materials rolling…subsequent up, linen! Accessible in three basic colours, this button-down is my present favourite linen choice—and I didn’t come to this determination evenly. I examined out a number of types and weights from 4 totally different manufacturers, however this $45 model 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 (Beneath $20!)
No submit on put on a button-down could be full with out a 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 at the moment’s listing. 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 lovely colours. I grabbed the yellow stripe—as a result of everyone knows yellow is having a second!
Ideas & Methods on Put on a Button-Down
Styling a button-down is simple and enjoyable as a result of there are infinite prospects. And you realize the drill—I don’t consider in style guidelines—however I do love sharing my private styling ideas and tips within the hopes of offering some outfit inspiration.
Listed below are my high 4 items of recommendation on 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.
Strive balancing the amount by pairing an outsized button-down with a slim mini skirt for an elegant mixture of unfastened 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 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 possibly can create simply by taking part in with layers!
Strive popping a striped crewneck tee beneath 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 preserve your styling feeling contemporary and sudden.
3. Check Out Completely different Tucks
Untucked, absolutely tucked, half-tucked, French-tucked…this listing goes on and on! On the subject of put on a button-down, there aren’t any guidelines—so experiment with totally 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 option to elevate the look.
When you’re on the lookout 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. When you’ve been questioning put on a button-down, these appears will provide you with 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 in every 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 superb 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 an easy, breezy vibe. Recently, 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 light-weight, I styled the look with these simple sandals and this bag, which I not too long ago snagged on The RealReal.
A Dressy Outfit

I actually liked this look that I not too long ago posted, so I assumed it could be enjoyable to reimagine it in a brand new method. As a substitute 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. Nevertheless, I did resolve to maintain the inexperienced bag!
An Americana Look

Two issues I like—plenty 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 provide this button-down outfit a extra informal really feel, I merely grabbed my boat tote!
Put on a Button-Down for Each Event (H2)
When you’ve been on the hunt for concepts on put on a button-down, I hope this submit has been useful. The excellent news is, there’s actually no flawed option 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 try these posts:
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