https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-color-is-your-button-down Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 06 Apr 2026 12:16:39 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-color-is-your-button-down/page/2#post-2388259 Wed, 18 Jun 2025 12:19:35 +0000 Bijou 2388259@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Carol - It is lovely of you to write a personal message to everyone - it's much appreciated. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-color-is-your-button-down/page/2#post-2388107 Mon, 16 Jun 2025 19:10:14 +0000 Carol 2388107@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Staysfit--see, and I like the easy elegance of classic design in these shirts. But it can be a strong look, best achieved only if you really want to be wearing it.</p> <p>karen23--good description of how awkward these shirts can actually be. I remember the "rectangle" suits of the 80s--I was a kid, but my mom had them.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-color-is-your-button-down/page/2#post-2388106 Mon, 16 Jun 2025 19:02:03 +0000 Carol 2388106@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Joy--those are nice options--I would do a plaid in a lightweight materials.</p> <p>Kate--those sound very appetizing. I like the cropped look now--I think a few years ago the waist was higher, which did not look as good on me.</p> <p>AndiB--I love the idea of a collection of blue striped shirts--I think you should continue to wear them all.</p> <p>Bonnie--these are beautiful, and I like the dressy-casual vibe given off by the softer fabric.&nbsp; That navy would do the trick for me.</p> <p>cat2--such a good point. Whenever I look at those lists, I try to find updated ones, because the "French" one has been the same for years!</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-color-is-your-button-down/page/2#post-2388105 Mon, 16 Jun 2025 18:52:44 +0000 Carol 2388105@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The cat--that sounds like a super cute collection.</p> <p>Sal--all nice. That olive one, I understand. Honestly, it looks like an item where people say, "that looks great on you!" but it takes a few tries to believe them.</p> <p>Jaime--one of my main "colors" is also prints--usually classic. I love the stripe shirts, and I just bought a polka dotted shirt.</p> <p>Bijou--great shirt! I love what you say about "pure classic" feeling like&nbsp; dress-up--that is a great way to put it.</p> <p>The cat--that is a good "rule" or general rule. It's so easy to remember. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-color-is-your-button-down/page/2#post-2388101 Mon, 16 Jun 2025 18:22:07 +0000 Carol 2388101@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Suz--these are all lovely, and I find the pattern on the first one very artful (the blue embroidery).&nbsp;</p> <p>Angie--terminology is fascinating, and something I like to collect in my mind in any category of knowledge. I don't know if "right/left" buttons is a thing anymore. I just saw Paris is Burning, and one competitor nearly gets to tears when they tell him he's wearing a women's jacket in the men's category. "The buttons are on the right!" he shouts over and over.</p> <p>Irina--such a great blouse. Almost tempting to wear, even if not quite the right color!</p> <p>Aurore--those are nice picks--I love a classic look. And dinginess happens--I had to get rid of the blue Oxford mentioned in my post because of it! A short run.</p> <p>Sloper--cotton poplin sounds great, especially in stripes. Nice that you always have those in your closet.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-color-is-your-button-down/page/2#post-2388100 Mon, 16 Jun 2025 18:10:21 +0000 Carol 2388100@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>ChristelJ--I love that jacket option for these shirts, and those JCrew ones sound cute. I am also curious about cropped.</p> <p>JAileen--red, blue, and TH in general are very much my style. Interesting about button-up v. button-down.&nbsp; And I like the idea of pairing them with a vest.</p> <p>Suz--thanks are all great, and I love that you also have short-sleeved. I wonder if you ever button up the collar all the way, because it brings out the tailoring.</p> <p>Angie--love all those, especially the blues and brights. I can really see how these can be everyday wear, especially when you get into a rhythm of what you like.</p> <p>Angie--I know blouses is a separate category, that many of us are confused about. Do you think these are cooler in temperature to wear than the shirts?&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-color-is-your-button-down/page/2#post-2388095 Mon, 16 Jun 2025 17:50:02 +0000 Carol 2388095@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Janet--cute picks. I also like the new cropped look, but it has to be done right. I find some cropped button-ups elegant, and some a bit awkward. I do not have any--just what I see elsewhere.</p> <p>Star--cinnamon is a great color, and I have seen it around. I wonder how different it is from terra cotta, which I have always loved.</p> <p>Helena--great point, especially when you feel stuck. I actually love white button-downs, but it was the idea of being a little different that I found attractive.</p> <p>LJP--I wonder if you just belt them occasionally, if this would work. Belting things usually makes them feminine for me.</p> <p>Carla--cute stuff. I did just buy a black polka-dotted long-sleeve dress shirt online, so we will see how that is when it comes.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-color-is-your-button-down/page/2#post-2388093 Mon, 16 Jun 2025 17:41:06 +0000 Carol 2388093@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jenni--yes. Each to their own! It is good to know yourself.</p> <p>Star--those both sound like excellent choices. I would wear out both.</p> <p>Lisa--thanks for sharing all those pics. I can see how gauzy material would be a great&nbsp; pick, esp. as an alternative to sunscreen on the shoulders. That navy...I would probably wear that.</p> <p>Irina--a white shirt probably is a great staple for most people, but many of us don't have it. I like how you also use natural fabric.</p> <p>Robin F--I think those "have to" lists are going out of style, but sometimes like you said, having one of those items (a button-down) works out well.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-color-is-your-button-down/page/2#post-2388047 Sun, 15 Jun 2025 22:27:39 +0000 karen23 2388047@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>I have the crisp white cotton long sleeve button-up shirt they say I should have (it was given to me) but I haven't worn it.&nbsp; It doesn't work to try to tuck it in, and when untucked it hangs out from under my jackets.&nbsp; Then I gained like 2 pounds and it pulls open a bit in the front.&nbsp; But I can check that item off my list.</div><div>The one I actually wear is a made of double gauze in a gray print.&nbsp; It is soft and has no significance as far as I can tell.</div><div>I also have a brown corduroy one, and next winter I will probably wear it.</div><div>I can imagine getting another color, or a stripe or print.</div><div><br /></div><div>Of course, back in the '80s, oxford cloth shirts were a regular item in my wardrobe, along with a skirt suit that made me look like a big rectangle.</div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-color-is-your-button-down/page/2#post-2387960 Sat, 14 Jun 2025 11:59:16 +0000 Staysfit 2387960@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a few straggling button downs, one may be white, the others are some sort of sky blue, aqua, or maybe light blue? &nbsp;They are not a classic oxford blue color. &nbsp;I have learned that I hate the way most classic tab collars look on me. &nbsp;It’s rare that I find a tab collar I like and I am not easily able to identify what makes it work when others don’t. I much prefer softer knits, popover blouses, and mandarin collared tops. I also do not like the stiffness of many classic button tops, so I have a collection of silk blouses instead. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-color-is-your-button-down/page/2#post-2387951 Sat, 14 Jun 2025 04:17:00 +0000 cat2 2387951@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’m also a fan of taking must have lists with a grain of salt; particularly the ones on French style. I am not a dark haired small boned Southern European woman living in a city, so need to adjust accordingly! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-color-is-your-button-down/page/2#post-2387902 Fri, 13 Jun 2025 15:29:16 +0000 Bonnie 2387902@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a few that I enjoy wearing. The navy white check is the newest and is really versatile. The blue plaid was a gift from a few years ago that also works with a lot of my pants and jackets. I'm not sure the four &nbsp;Anthro shirts are what you mean by button downs because they have a lower neckline and are a soft fabric but I've worn them many times. The black and white plaid is one of a collection of shirts I wear for summer hiking. They are very lightweight and cover my arms and neck from the hot sun. I guess button downs are a staple in my wardrobe. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-color-is-your-button-down/page/2#post-2387901 Fri, 13 Jun 2025 13:58:24 +0000 Angie 2387901@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Irina</b>, agreed, and thanks! Those L'Agence silk blouses are like wearing liquid gold. Feels gorgeous against the skin. I love them in fun patterns! Hope you find a pattern that's more to your taste :)&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-color-is-your-button-down/page/2#post-2387899 Fri, 13 Jun 2025 12:58:40 +0000 AndiB 2387899@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Apparently I like that traditional blue and white stripe as I have it in ... maybe 5 iterations.&nbsp; I think I just kept trying to get the right one and failed until earlier this spring when I found a Rag and Bone at TJ Maxx on steep discount.&nbsp; It is really beautiful, hangs just right, tucks just right, is not fitted, but not oversized either.&nbsp; It is crisp and the collar stays popped.&nbsp; Not sure what I will do with the other four . . . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-color-is-your-button-down/page/2#post-2387896 Fri, 13 Jun 2025 05:15:00 +0000 Anonymous 2387896@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My preferred button down is white </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-color-is-your-button-down/page/2#post-2387893 Fri, 13 Jun 2025 04:56:48 +0000 Kate 2387893@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>All my button ups (thanks, JAileen) are cotton or cotton blend short sleeved shirts, boxy and cropped. White, royal blue, navy blue plaid, bluish-gray striped, green, cinnamon and dark pink. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-color-is-your-button-down#post-2387891 Fri, 13 Jun 2025 04:47:52 +0000 Anonymous 2387891@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My button down is white or plaid. &nbsp;I wear both often but white needs to be washed after each wearing. &nbsp; &nbsp;It is not always available.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-color-is-your-button-down#post-2387890 Fri, 13 Jun 2025 01:56:25 +0000 The Cat 2387890@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Generally, my ideal for most categories in my wardrobe is to own at least one neutral (preferably white for tops) AND at least one non-neutral. I want all my outfits to be a pleasant mix of neutrals and non-neutrals. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-color-is-your-button-down#post-2387889 Fri, 13 Jun 2025 01:55:17 +0000 Helena 2387889@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>*waves to Aurore* </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-color-is-your-button-down#post-2387888 Fri, 13 Jun 2025 01:33:40 +0000 Bijou 2387888@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My most worn button down is white, but with lace detail. I have a classic cotton white button down too, but wear that far less frequently as I feel more me in the prettier version. I have learned that I prefer to wear classic items with a twist rather than a pure classic which often make me feel like I’m in dress-up. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-color-is-your-button-down#post-2387886 Thu, 12 Jun 2025 23:44:12 +0000 Jaime 2387886@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think my color is prints. Silky blouses are probably my most worn, but I do have a few stiffer shirts also. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-color-is-your-button-down#post-2387885 Thu, 12 Jun 2025 23:22:53 +0000 Sal 2387885@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have four although one is quite different with the wrap details.</p> <p>My dark chambray one is my most worn - I really love this piece.&nbsp; It is not too stiff which I like.</p> <p>The green and white stripe is mostly worn over my swimsuit but I do wear also with white shorts.</p> <p>The black is a good work basic that I enjoy pulling out for professional occasions.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>I am struggling a bit with the olive wrap shirt - it was a wildcard experiment and I don't know if it was a good call.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-color-is-your-button-down#post-2387883 Thu, 12 Jun 2025 22:11:04 +0000 The Cat 2387883@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The ones I own are striped pink&amp;white, darker medium blue chambray, small-checked sky blue&amp;white, and solid white. I love and wear them all, year round. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-color-is-your-button-down#post-2387882 Thu, 12 Jun 2025 21:14:09 +0000 Sloper 2387882@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Another vote for “button UP” as JAileen says.</p> <p>I’ve always had white, chambray, and menswearish striped shirts in my closet. &nbsp;For casual wear mostly. &nbsp;Whites and stripes in cotton poplin. &nbsp;I don’t like the feel of Oxford cloth. &nbsp;I wear them oversized and untucked.</p> <p>For work, I wore silk or polyester blouses. I found “nicer” fitted cotton shirts hard to find (large bust), prone to gaping and just too fussy feeling. &nbsp;I was always adjusting and fidgeting with them.</p> <p><div>And I’ll definitely agree that with those who aren’t fans of “have to” lists.</div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-color-is-your-button-down#post-2387881 Thu, 12 Jun 2025 19:55:31 +0000 Aurore 2387881@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love the crisp and sleek look of button-downs, but I'm very (very!) picky in terms of fit and fabric. Breathable, neither too wide not too form-fitting, neither too stiff nor too flowy (and collar and wrists need to keep their shape).<br />The two here are my workhorses. And I end up wearing the navy one way more often than the white one, even if white suits my complexion better. But white can get dirty so easily... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-color-is-your-button-down#post-2387879 Thu, 12 Jun 2025 18:44:58 +0000 Irina 2387879@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Angie</b>, I tried on that L’agence blue, green and yellow silk blouse. The quality is amazing and it felt so nice that I was very tempted to buy but alas, these are not my colors. Glad you have it.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-color-is-your-button-down#post-2387876 Thu, 12 Jun 2025 18:19:25 +0000 Angie 2387876@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>As for terminology, it's fascinating! </p> <p>FWIW, I grew up with <b>shirt,</b>&nbsp;<b>blouse, t-shirt, knitted top, knitwear&nbsp;</b>&nbsp;- and that is what I used professionally as a retail buyer working in retail too. There were all sorts of other top categories &nbsp;- but these were the biggest categories. And the big categories had sub categories.</p> <p><b>JAileen</b>, the terms "button down", "button up", and "button through" I learned 20 years ago upon arrival in the US. &nbsp;They make sense in terms of their collar detailing! I had to learn what "sweaters" were too :)&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Suz</b>, yes! You have a great assortment of blouses too.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-color-is-your-button-down#post-2387874 Thu, 12 Jun 2025 18:03:48 +0000 Suz 2387874@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If we are distinguishing button down blouses, several in my collection qualify as such.... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-color-is-your-button-down#post-2387872 Thu, 12 Jun 2025 17:49:56 +0000 LJP 2387872@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Nodding at JAileen’s terminology . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-color-is-your-button-down#post-2387871 Thu, 12 Jun 2025 17:49:50 +0000 cat2 2387871@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Zero button downs, which are the ones with the buttons buttoning down the collar. Too preppy for me. </p>