Button Downs - Ruminating on Why Sometimes They Aren't Working

A lot of YLFers have said they don't wear their button down shirts as much as they thought they would. Reading Mo's recent "danger zones" post:

http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/danger-zones

Many even said they were guilty of continuing to buy more, in spite of this. I'm included in this category and I think I'm finally coming to terms with the primary 2 reasons (for me at least.):

Fit (the absolute right size for me)
Fabric (softness, easy care, and comfort).

As a test I decided to reorder one of the button downs I do like and have owned for well over a year, in a larger size. I think I finally realized that the *real* reason I wasn't wearing it, is because it is just a little tight in the upper shoulders and arms. The fit "looks" good and I love the color/style. But the slight tightness causes me to feel some binding when I move my arms around a lot, or go to stretch, etc. On warmer days (common here) it feels a little too hot with that arm tightness and that really bugs me a LOT.

I require total comfort in my clothes in order to feel happy in them. And I find that I DO wear a lot of my soft, looser fit, comfortable button downs. It's the more fitted, crisp ones that just sit there.

Seeing Claires' recent fab denim shirt (sorry couldn't find the link right now) also inspired me to try another size in this one as I noticed hers was slightly roomy looking in a good way.

Only time will tell if the larger size is the solution to this otherwise great to me shirt. It's the denim BR shirt that I've mentioned loving before. I find it plenty soft in fabrication and it doesn't even wrinkle much when I wash it (big plus). I just think a slightly roomier fit was what I should have originally opted for, but I got caught up in the initial love of the look and color and forgot to be PPP.

Hoping this might help others figure out why they aren't loving their button downs as much as they should.

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12 years ago

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Veteran

So great in figuring out the why. I know I've never been a fan but thought I should have at least one in my closet. Which I do have. Exactly one lol. It's princess seamed so the fit is tailored but not too confining. It has stretch as well. I need this for my very limited interview/job hunting capsule but don't need any more.
By the by, one of my silk tanks I don't reach for has a non breathable lining that's not very inviting. Didn't even think of it until putting it on this week. Rae's jacket lining woes came instantly to mind. I will keep it for the dressy/interview/suit capsule but sure won't be buying more!

cheryle (Dianthus)

I was thinking along the same lines as you texstyle. The in fit for a few years seemed to be to buy the smallest size you could possibly fit into and that doesn't necessarily translate to comfort with a woven fabric. I have been buying my button shirts a bit looser and find they work well. I like the more polished/formal look of a woven fabric button shirt.

Gracie

I know what you mean with the slight tightness in the shoulders/upper arms. I had a couple of shirts with that problem and they would slowly put me in a bad mood. Roomier is definitely better, and a bit of stretch helps in the more fitted ones. I now need to start purging some that are short, another annoying factor when even semi-tucks don't stay put. Still, I love button downs - both cotton and silkier fabrications. Your BR shirt looks gorgeous and soft.

unfrumped

I hear you.
I've targeted a few issues:
-/since I wear a lab coat, the shirt collars get smooshed and lost so the shirt loses its advantage of being collared.
-- the buttons, and often the fit,give me a vertical line right where I am already dealing with narrow torso/ pear, so balance is off, and also look more dainty on top. This is most worst with low- rise pants.
Very similar to your solution, what can work for me is a very slightly oversized or fluid camp shirt look or something that can be a bit " blousey" to balance lower half. So also usually drapey wovens and not crisp.

deb

I need to go larger for my button downs for my shoulders and I think this is why I am unable to wear them under pullovers like I want to. I have not figured out a solution to that yet.

Kim

Deb, wear silk ones...They don't crinkle up (like my woven ones do) under pullovers and feel great next to your skin! I need to go larger for my shoulders too, but love button downs because they work with my long neck and torso.

I've gotten a few nice ones from Joe Fresh for a very reasonable price. You can order online in Canada, not sure about the States.

Suz

Deb, my solution is Kim's -- if I want to layer under a sweater, I wear silk.

If I want a shirt that stands alone it's cotton or cotton-linen (in summer).

Tex, I think you're right to focus on fit. If it's uncomfortable, we're unlikely to reach for it in regular wear. I hope the new denim shirt works out. I retired my BR denim because I never felt right in it -- traded it for a Halogen soft denim that I like much better for the fit and drape of fabric. But I still miss the BR's rich colour.

DonnaF

Deb, for buttondowns that work for layering sweaters on top, Halogen at Nordstom makes thin all cotton shirts that are soft rather than crisp. They are called "roll sleeve" but don't have those tab thingies and are actually long sleeve. They have many more choices in regular (vs. petite) sizes and a number are on sale now.

Oh I hate sleeves that are too tight on my upper arms! Even just a little.

I think my issue with button downs has more to do with my short neck & not looking good in a traditional pointy collar, as well as not wanting to look corporate. So I ordered a bit of velvet ribbon to see if little velvet bows under the collar makes them feel more me; it just arrived yesterday and I can't wait to try it out!

Donna, thank you. I am off to shop!

peacechick

I have the same type of problem with E in that I have a short neck, and usually find the size and placement of the collar the most complicated. Too small or too wide and it doesn't work. Some of you look so cool with the collar popped but I just look stupid. Sometimes the shirt rides up and my collar slides backwards and that is so annoying too. I think only a bespoke shirt will fit me, but really, for all the trouble, I might as well just happily wear my pussybow blouses, jersey knits and dresses.

Anonymous

Textyle, thanks so much for sharing your thoughts. It really helps when someone else is analyzing something I also have issues with! You are so right about needing to have "comfort room" through the back and shoulders so we will reach for the shirt and wear it.

I wish I could find a few more "perfect" button front shirts, but I guess I'll have to settle for collecting them over time. I'll have to check out Joe Fresh (thanks Kim). I'm also looking for an Equipment-esque shirt in a soft white or cream that isn't transparent, and isn't tunic length. The flowing fabric and bigger fit are going to be key come summer. Nothing like a crunchy, starchy, super-fitted shirt all up in your pits when the mercury rises, lol!

Deborah

This is interesting:). Crisp button downs don't really suit my style and on e I realised this, I gave myself permission to not have them in my wardrobe. I do have a couple of silky ones which IMHO create a differ look and one that works better for me:)

Debra

I love the look but they are not 'me'. On saying that I have a couple of softer blouses in prints that are very comfy and one white shirt that is a looser comfy style, but very soft, the fabric almost feels like tissue paper.
I usually prefer knits and fabrics that move

Mander

I used to love collared button-down shirts but I've been finding them hard to wear lately. Most of them have already been purged but I have kept a few of them for "business" wear. For me it seems that the sleeves are often a bit too short, or sometimes the whole shirt is too short. Woven shirts also seem to slide down in the back for some reason as well, which drives me nuts. It must be something about my posture but I have yet to figure it out.

I have a short fat neck and sloping shoulders, so shirts are often cut too square so puff up a bit above the shoulder and don't allow me to button the top button. Even though buttoning that button would make me feel claustrophobic, the fit is better if I can do it. My upper arms are heavy, so sometimes shirts look too tight there. Foxcroft at Nordstrom fits well through the shoulders and bust, but darn if it makes me feel (and probably look) matronly. I think it is because the brand is cut for a larger waist and hips; sometimes it's the prints they use. I have a Foxcroft shirt at Nordstrom alterations, so I'll see if it makes me feel younger when it comes back!

Crisp really suits me better than soft (I have exactly one blouse!), so with y'all hating on crisp buttoned shirts, it makes me think I should regularly scour the thrift stores for them because no doubt other women have given up on them.

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