Ask Angie: Best cotton button down shirts?

Abby_B

Hi!

I am attempting to find a nicely shaped cotton button down shirt with a bit of stretch as a wardrobe staple. I like to wear them untucked so I'm looking for a nice shape, not too boxy. I really appreciate a nice, soft, breathable cotton. I have been searching for "wrinkle resistant" because I've learned from experience that if it requires much ironing, I won't wear it. I thought I had found it online at Banana Republic and Eddie Bauer. It turns out, while I liked the fit, they felt TERRIBLE! They were uncomfortable and picky, even though they are all cotton with 2 to 3% stretch. I have never encountered this problem before. A google search tells me it's probably the chemicals used in the "wrinkle resistance". What would you recommend?

Thanks for a great website and forum!

13 years ago

Shopping

10 replies

Latest reply was from DonnaF

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Hi, Abby - A lot of people here like the Brooks Brothers button downs.

13 years ago

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I have an older EB and some older jcrews that aren't bad in terms of the way they feel and stay mostly wrinkle free, but the newer ones do seem to be different. I buy mostly mid-price shirts ($39 - $89) so I don't know if the BB shirts are better for not wrinkling.

The more recent shirts I've purchased have been nice and soft (from Gap) but very light weight and def. not wrinkle proof. I don't like to dry them in the dryer except just to get them warm and then I don't have to iron as I have a very casual lifestyle and can hang the shirts while mostly wet and smooth them out to dry and it's good enough for me. If I worked in an office I'd probably have to iron them.

13 years ago

Aziraphale

Veteran

Not Angie, but...BROOKS BROTHERS. I recently bought one, a tailored, non-iron white one, and I may never go back. In fact I went back a month later and bought the same one in black. The cut and detailing are gorgeous, it fits perfectly, and the material is beautiful -- cotton with a hint of stretch, and not weirdly synthetic-looking, like some non-irons can be. Expensive but worth it.

I have also had luck at J. Crew -- their "stretch perfect" shirts are very nice. They do require ironing, but they are also nicely tailored and happen to fit me well.

Lastly, I have a couple of Banana Republic classic tailored shirts that are good. The material isn't as wonderful as the BB ones, and there isn't quite the same attention to detail, but they fit well and have a bit of stretch. They also cost about two thirds what the BB ones did. My main gripe is that my black one is the biggest lint collector ever.

One thing: perhaps you have a skin sensitivity or allergy to the chemicals they use in the non-iron material. I don't find the BR or BB shirts itchy at all! Quite the opposite. But maybe give BB a try if you need non-iron. Maybe they use different chemicals.

13 years ago

Thistle

Veteran

Not Angie, but most of ladies here swear by Brooks Brothers. They have sales on these, and I know several ladies wait for the sales and stock up!

13 years ago

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

I'll fifth the Brooks Brothers suggestion. I hated button downs till I got my hands on their fitted shirts. They have three fits, so I suggest trying all three to decide which is best for you.

13 years ago

Sarah A

Veteran

Another lover of Brooks Brothers, I travel to their "factory store" at the outlet mall (if you have one nearby) They typically have lots of good options in my size (6) and the price is a little easier on the wallet.

13 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I have both Banana Republic and Brooks Brothers. I am fine with the BR fabric, actually. Once washed, it softens. The Brooks Brothers feels a little different but might be worth a try. My shirt did come out a bit wrinkly, however, after a wash. I need to see what caused that. My husband does not care for ANY non-iron shirts and cannot wear them. So it may be that some people are extra sensitive.

13 years ago

Abby_B

Active Member

Thank you so much ladies, for your responses and suggestions! I will definitely look into them!

13 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh, by the way, my BR shirts are the sateen ones that Angie recommends. Not sure if they have another kind.

13 years ago

DonnaF

Veteran

BB shirts do not fit or flatter me. I find the collar a bit too thick for my short neck. I bought my favorite white shirt made by Jones New York at Macy's. They seem to be staples there. It is thick and does not gap at the bust. I also have one by Talbot's that fits well but the fabric is not as thick as I prefer.

When my shirts come out wrinkly from the wash, it is usually after a rather full load. I let them warm up in the dryer, spray the wrinkles until saturated, and pop them back in the dryer to warm up. I then remove them and gently stretch out the wrinkles, then pop them back in. I sometimes have to repeat this process. I also never let my clothes get 100% dry, but remove and hang them when slightly damp. Works for me, as I hate to iron and sometimes end up ironing in creases which begins an endless cycle.

13 years ago

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