22 Button-Down Shirts That Will Make Dressing Up or Down Effortless (2024)

FAQs

What is a button-up shirt called? ›

A dress shirt, button shirt, button-front, button-front shirt, or button-up shirt is a garment with a collar and a full-length opening at the front, which is fastened using buttons or shirt studs.

The main difference between a button-down and a button-up shirt is the collar. A button-down shirt has small buttons on the collar to keep it in place, while a button-up shirt has no buttons on the collar. Button-down shirts are more casual and button-up shirts are typically dressier.

Button-down shirts can be styled in a variety of ways. For Sethi, there are three timeless ways to style a button-down shirt: pairing it with jeans, wearing a white fitted T-shirt underneath and keeping it unbuttoned. For a more business casual look, you can easily rock a pair of loafers with a blazer.

Contrary to popular belief, there isn't a hard and fast rule as to whether or not you should button up your polo shirt. If you can't figure out whether to go for buttoned or unbuttoned, then it's helpful to default to having it unbuttoned.

A “button down” shirt is referred to a long or short sleeve shirt with buttons going down the front and sometimes on the collar. Button downs can also be referred to as a “sports shirt” or “casual shirt”.

Button-up Shirt. As a stylish man, it is never inappropriate to wear a button-up shirt/dress shirt. You can play with formality levels in how you style it, but it will take you anywhere, any time, and you'll look great. Even tuxedos and the most elegant custom-made suits call for a dress shirt.

A thin and absorbent t-shirt or tank top worn underneath formal attire saves you the embarrassment of sweating through your shirt, distracting others from your meticulously put-together outfit. In addition to providing additional comfort, undershirts also play a significant role in enhancing your overall look.

Smart Casual: If you are wearing a casual shirt by itself leave it untucked, however, if you are wearing a shirt paired with a casual jacket or coat, tuck it in for smart casual occasions. Business Casual: Whether you are sporting a blazer, sweater or just a shirt, always have your shirt tucked in.

Conclusion. Hopefully now you have a better idea how to wear your shirt and how to tuck it in properly, when the occasion requires it. As a rule of thumb, dress shirts are always meant to be dressed tucked in, while casual and short-sleeved shirts are okay to stay untucked.

Go for dark jeans if your workplace permits denim, or keep things professional-looking with gray, navy or khaki chinos. Tie your ensemble together with a matching belt and dress shoes. Remember: You can tuck your shirt in or wear a blazer to achieve a more upscale look.

How low should a button-up shirt go? ›

A good rule of thumb is that an untucked shirt should come to the middle of the butt. Another good rule of thumb is that the front bottom shirt tail should end midway down the fly of your pants.

To keep it simple, remember that your Polo should always be tucked in for all formal events. It's the same dress code as with button-down shirts – you wouldn't wear one untucked to a business meeting, right? If the event is less formal, you can freely wear your Polo untucked.

You can certainly button your shirt all the way up and forgo the tie. This look has been gaining more popularity lately and is often best suited for fall and winter as you might find it is too hot to wear your shirt fully buttoned in the summer. Finish the look by pairing your shirt with a jacket.

Simple. A button-up shirt refers to any shirt that buttons up the front. A button-down shirt refers to the collar of a button-up shirt. If the collar can be fastened to the shirt via buttons, then it's a button-down shirt.

The grandad shirt, otherwise known as the mandarin collar, band collar shirt or collarless shirt, has been something of a Marmite piece of menswear, depending on which 20th century decade you were born into.

A polo shirt is a classic combination of the timeless button-up oxford dress shirt and the much more casual T-shirt. Polo shirts typically feature a collar and placket with a few buttons and are made with a knitted cotton known as piqué.

A half-placket means that the buttons only go halfway down the front of the shirt. This style of shirt is also sometimes called a "popover" or "henley" depending on the design details, such as collar style or number of buttons.