https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-i-have-a-question-about-short-sleeve-button-downs Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 30 Apr 2026 11:34:44 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-i-have-a-question-about-short-sleeve-button-downs#post-1716786 Sat, 20 Aug 2016 13:03:41 +0000 MTBGirl 1716786@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Just nodding along with everything said here. Glad you figured it out and can release them freely! ( my husband feels the same way about his button downs. He refuses to wear the short sleeve version.) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-i-have-a-question-about-short-sleeve-button-downs#post-1716760 Sat, 20 Aug 2016 11:38:07 +0000 Chris987 1716760@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Also I agree with suz that that white blouse does not seem at all masculine due to the angles sleeves and curved hem. </p> <p>Suz didn't you post an outfit way back wearing a shirt like that with grey Bermudas and leopard slip on sneakers? One of my fav ylf outfits of all time....definitely not masculine ....maybe I'll find the pieces next summer </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-i-have-a-question-about-short-sleeve-button-downs#post-1716758 Sat, 20 Aug 2016 11:34:57 +0000 Chris987 1716758@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>a trick I use if I'm trying to figure out if a garment skews toward masculine is to look it up on Pinterest. Try entering "camel vneck sweater" for example and you see far more pics of men than women. Gives a clue that you might want non-classic fit and details if you want to go more in a non menswear vibe. I haven't tried it on short sleeved button down shirt at least not yet. </p> <p>...and a comment on the donate vs consign debate....depending on your income and tax situation it can actually be to your $$ advantage to donate and take a tax deduction. At least in the US that can be the case, especially if the consignment value is a whole lot less than the purchase value. Plus donating takes less of your time. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-i-have-a-question-about-short-sleeve-button-downs#post-1716581 Fri, 19 Aug 2016 23:01:38 +0000 Suz 1716581@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>But Donna, the angled sleeve completely saves it. And esp. for a pretty pear -- the sleeve adds balance to shoulder line.&nbsp;</p> <p>Irina's shirt has styling details (hi - low hem, tunic-like shape) that take it away from masculine short sleeve category.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-i-have-a-question-about-short-sleeve-button-downs#post-1716558 Fri, 19 Aug 2016 21:48:51 +0000 DonnaF 1716558@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well, I just bought the shirt below which is rather stiff and a bit masculine, but I much prefer androgyny to femme.&nbsp; YMMV. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-i-have-a-question-about-short-sleeve-button-downs#post-1716557 Fri, 19 Aug 2016 21:38:08 +0000 Anonymous 1716557@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Set them free! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-i-have-a-question-about-short-sleeve-button-downs#post-1716429 Fri, 19 Aug 2016 16:25:18 +0000 Anonymous 1716429@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Irina -- it could be that other components of your shirts make them work nicely for you.&nbsp; The picture you posted looked very fabulous.&nbsp; None of mine looked good.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-i-have-a-question-about-short-sleeve-button-downs#post-1716409 Fri, 19 Aug 2016 14:48:21 +0000 Irina 1716409@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>How interesting! I bought white, long white shirt from COS this summer. With short sleeves and buttons to the waist. I love it. I looked at my long sleeved white shirt from JCrew, which I didn't wear often and compared - both have similar shape, JCrew is shorter and better suited for semi-tuck. But I felt overdressed wearing it and was fussing with the sleeves too much. So, I cut the sleeves. I find that for me it works - plain white cotton short sleeved shirt + cropped pants /tucked or untucked. Also, my shirts are slightly oversized/straight and long sleeves visually add more volume on top. I try to avoid it. Makes me more IT. Recently took another shirt for alteration - silk print CM oversized button down. Hope to rescue it from being an orphan. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-i-have-a-question-about-short-sleeve-button-downs#post-1716108 Thu, 18 Aug 2016 16:24:12 +0000 Anonymous 1716108@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Kristin</b> &nbsp;- I donate all of my stuff either to Women's Shelter or the Goodwill. &nbsp;I have friends that work either part-time or full-time at the shelter and am acutely aware of the need. &nbsp;Not all my stuff is useful, and thus, the Goodwill. &nbsp;Thx. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-i-have-a-question-about-short-sleeve-button-downs#post-1716104 Thu, 18 Aug 2016 16:21:05 +0000 Kristin L 1716104@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Absolutely.&nbsp; Depending on how dressy they are and if you choose to donate them, you could donate them to a place like Dress for Success.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-i-have-a-question-about-short-sleeve-button-downs#post-1716096 Thu, 18 Aug 2016 16:02:02 +0000 Anonymous 1716096@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yay. &nbsp;Running to place them in the donate box. &nbsp;Such a relief, actually. &nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-i-have-a-question-about-short-sleeve-button-downs#post-1716083 Thu, 18 Aug 2016 15:42:07 +0000 viva 1716083@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My two cents:</p> <p>If you have the time/energy, sell them and feel better about not losing the money.<br /> If not, donate them and feel better about helping someone else.</p> <p>Either way, don't let them take up any more room in your closet or time on your mind. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-i-have-a-question-about-short-sleeve-button-downs#post-1716082 Thu, 18 Aug 2016 15:40:50 +0000 Liz 1716082@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Absolutely, permission granted. </p> <p>I'm a pretty conservative dresser, and there's no way I can imagine feeling good (much less fab) wearing a "classic," short-sleeved button down shirt (or those shirts that are sometimes labeled "camp shirts"). So if I had some in my closet, even if they were in good shape and paid for, I'd have no quandary about letting them go.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-i-have-a-question-about-short-sleeve-button-downs#post-1716079 Thu, 18 Aug 2016 15:36:59 +0000 chewyspaghetti 1716079@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sell them on eBay! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-i-have-a-question-about-short-sleeve-button-downs#post-1716077 Thu, 18 Aug 2016 15:31:42 +0000 Anonymous 1716077@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think these are the phrases that explain my feelings:</p> <p><i></i><b>From Diana</b><i>: &nbsp;".... incongruous with short sleeves, like an attempt to casualize gone wrong."<br /></i><br /><b>From Sisi</b>: &nbsp;" ....&nbsp;<i>find most short sleeve shirts boxy, masculine, casual - in a word, not fab."</p> <p></i><i><b></b></i><b>From Texstyle</b><i><b></b>: &nbsp;"....&nbsp;quite voluminous, more dramatic I guess than a regular button down."</p> <p><b></b></i><b>From Suz</b><i><b></b>: &nbsp;".... the angled sleeve makes a lot of difference somehow -- and a drapey fabric."</p> <p></i>And, of course, <b>from Angie</b>: &nbsp;"<i>In a classic shape and with stiff fabric, I think they look overly conservative somehow. Like a uniform, and very masculine."<br /></i><b></b><i><br /></i><u>I get it now</u>. &nbsp;So would it be permissible to donate my rarely-worn short sleeve button downs just because I don't feel fab in them????? &nbsp;They are paid for and in great shape. &nbsp;I just don't feel fabulous when I wear them. &nbsp;But I need permission to purge them because they are in such great shape. &nbsp;<br /><i><br /></i>Such a quandary. &nbsp;<i></p> <p></i><br />&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-i-have-a-question-about-short-sleeve-button-downs#post-1716023 Thu, 18 Aug 2016 14:33:39 +0000 texstyle 1716023@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have two, both from Madewell, and they both are quite voluminous, more dramatic I guess than a regular button down. That's why they work (for me at least). I semi-tuck them or leave them out over slim bottoms.<br /> A classic short sleeve button down doesn't work for me. </p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-i-have-a-question-about-short-sleeve-button-downs#post-1716012 Thu, 18 Aug 2016 14:16:30 +0000 Sisi 1716012@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It depends upon the build and the fabric,&nbsp;Sterling. I also find&nbsp;most short sleeve shirts&nbsp;boxy, masculine, casual - in a word, not fab. I have a white blouse that I love and wear a lot and just recently I&nbsp; analyzed it, detail by detail, to understand why it makes me feel happy: soft gauzy cotton (no stiff fabric), slightly flared shape (no boxy shape), collarless,&nbsp;nice V-shaped&nbsp;nekcline, diagonal sleeves, a couple of thin pleats on each front panel. It looks simple and chic and I always receive compliments when I am wearing it. I think that you must just find the&nbsp; blouse that works for you.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-i-have-a-question-about-short-sleeve-button-downs#post-1716003 Thu, 18 Aug 2016 13:56:15 +0000 Diana 1716003@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What angie said. I find that a classic Oxford-type shirt just looks incongruous with short sleeves, like an attempt to casualize gone wrong. In contrast, I think rolling up the sleeves of a regular long sleeved Oxford is a much better and more natural looking way to casualize it. I find this to be true for both men and women, by the way. </p> <p>But a less conservative/strict shirt or one that is more fashion forward, can look great with short sleeves. I have a fitted, printed, very feminine short sleeved blouse with a drapey collar that is one of my favorites. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-i-have-a-question-about-short-sleeve-button-downs#post-1715992 Thu, 18 Aug 2016 13:46:10 +0000 Suz 1715992@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What Angie said -- the angled sleeve makes a lot of difference somehow -- and a drapey fabric.&nbsp;</p> <p>I have very few short sleeved tops in my closet but of those I own, I'd classify them more as "blouses" than shirts. These two are favourites and I don't find the sleeve style bothersome/ unattractive.&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-i-have-a-question-about-short-sleeve-button-downs#post-1715968 Thu, 18 Aug 2016 13:00:26 +0000 Angie 1715968@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>In a classic shape and with stiff fabric, I think they look overly conservative somehow. Like a uniform, and very masculine. But in a trendier shape like below - it's a different animal.&nbsp;</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-i-have-a-question-about-short-sleeve-button-downs#post-1715927 Thu, 18 Aug 2016 11:43:31 +0000 Anonymous 1715927@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You would think that a short sleeved button down would be perfect for a hot summer climate, but every time I buy one, I am <u>always</u> disappointed. &nbsp;There is something about them that reads "lack of sophistication," "overly casual," and "juvenile." &nbsp;I can't exactly describe my immediate reaction. &nbsp;But I do know that whenever I wear them, I don't feel fabulous. &nbsp;Whenever I see friends wearing them, I always think "oh, that is just so wrong." &nbsp;</p> <p>What is it about them? &nbsp;Is it just me that interrupts them a certain way? &nbsp; Do I have some sort of built in prejudice? &nbsp; I don't have this feeling when I see short sleeves in other styles, just button downs. &nbsp; </p>