Button-Up shirts - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Button-Up shirts

bridgie

Veteran

Hi. I like button-up shirts and have several. I would like to ask how the YFL members feel about them. Are they trending or outdated? How do you wear them? Is buttoned up and a cami or other item worn with the neckline showing under the shirt good or not? Is it ok to wear a cami or tee under them with the shirt unbuttoned or maybe a button or two unbuttoned.

I think you get the idea what I am asking. Please make any comment you care too, pro or con. Thank you.

Dressing

35 replies

Latest reply was from The Cat

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I think they are a classic and can be worn in any of the ways you describe and look modern. I don’t think any of that sounds particularly trendy unless you are tucking them into a high waist and perhaps belting.

I’m not wearing mine as much as I used to, but I think that’s mainly because I’m wearing tees and knits more as they seem more casual. That and fit is always as issue as many buttonfront shirts gape at my chest.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I am not seeing anyone (female) wear cotton buttonfront shirts in a formal way; that seems totally out from what I’ve seen. Now casualized with jeans, it’s a classic for a certain preppy type.

Drapier shirts with poly/rayon/silk seem to be making a comeback for smart casual/business casual.

Of course, in my neck of the woods flannel shirts in the winter and lightweight cotton shirts in the warmer months are a constant.

bridgie

Veteran

Janet, thanks.

I don't tuck anything. I don't like that look on me now. And I never belt anything either.

I cannot tolerate gaping. I do find that Talbots shirts don't gape on me.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

What Janet said.

bridgie

Veteran

Laura, thanks for your response.

I most definitely wear them for casual wear and with jeans or chinos, anything besides dress pants or skirts.

bridgie

Veteran

Angie, thank you. Was needing some re-assurance from my fashion advisors.

DonnaF

Veteran

Button front shirts don't get a lot of love on the Forum, especially crisp ones, I think because they can be hard to fit. I happen to like them, but they have to be *just right* -- collar set low enough, no gaping, proper shoulder fit, not confining, etc. My neck, short that it is, gets cold so I really like having a collar and structure that a shirt provides. I am not a blouse person.

Oh! I should wear a shirt for Angie's challenge next week!

bridgie

Veteran

Donna, right on. Not seeing them on the Forum very much caused me to question if they were still in favor. Now I understand they probably have never been in favor with a lot of people. Anyways, I hope you do wear shirts in next weeks challenge and post pics. I will be excited to see them.

Style Fan

Veteran

Bridgie, I like the look of button-up shirts and I think they are a classic. I find them impossible to fit so I never wear them.

ChrisM

Veteran

After years of hating button front shirts (gaping, fit issues through the shoulders, etc.) I have found a couple of brands that fit and it's like the heavens opened and I heard angels sing.

I love having back of my neck covered, and do not care to expose my upper chest (decolletage). Collars help give definition to a softening jawline, cover an aging neck, and showcase a pretty (vintage) scarf/neckerchief or a necklace. Crisp and structured, they play nice with colored jeans/chinos, and with a long cardigan and full tuck (with belt), give the illusion of a waist (MIA since 2005.)

My go-to brands are Duluth Trading (their wrinkle free shirts have hidden "bust proof buttons" to prevent the gape) and Orvis (I size up and their cut is streamlined enough that it doesn't blouse up with extra fabric.)

In the summer I wear no-iron L.L. Bean tunic blouses (men's wear type stripes) and they provide coverage of all of the above PLUS I don't tuck, so they're super comfy. (I do have slim legs, so tunics work well for me.)

I also wear a thin, short sleeve tee shirt (like a liner - not to be seen) under my button fronts. Not only does the liner provide coverage in case there is gaping, it also protect from perspiration and deoderant/anti-perspirant stains. I've found Uniqlo Heat teach (men's v-neck in a soft beige color) to be invaluable in the winter and I'm looking forward to trying the men's Airism for summer wear.

As you can tell, I'm pretty solid on the value of a button front shirt - the softness and fluidness of knits on my body at my age does not make me happy. So odd to say that because I used to love knits . . . as far as fashion goes, I see them as the classics that suit my style and my body today. If you can find the unicorn that fits you and makes you feel like yourself - whatever those descriptors are - I think it will never go out of style.

Alicewonderland

Veteran

They are always good, in all the ways you describe. No other piece spans the range of casual to formal. Good ones are sturdy and will outlast knits by many times, and can be styled many more ways than knits.
I wear them casual untucked with sleeves rolled, formal tucked for work, fun and sexy tied at the waist with a skit or jeans and heels, layered under sweaters and dresses in winter, Open over a cami or tee in summer. Button down shirts are forever.

ChristelJ

Veteran

Another fan here. I wear them open, over tank tops or camis or sundresses in summer, or tied at the waist with skirts or high-waist jeans. For me they are very informal. Like Alicewonderland, i love how timeless they are.

taylor

Veteran

I love a silk-y type button up . They are great for layering .
I also have a few Brooks Brothers that I absolutely love and will never give up. I don’t wear them often , but they are perfect when I need them.

DonnaF

Veteran

On further reflection, I favor shirtDRESSES, especially over crop flares, even more than shirts which can look bunchy around the waist.

ChrisM

Veteran

I second DonnaF on shirt dress love! Over slim pants is my summer work uniform...courtesy of YLF inspiration from last summer.

rachylou

Veteran

So... I’m the black sheep of the family! I look spectacularly bad in button front shirts unless they have a lot of drape, are silky. So I generally, personally, don’t wear them and always feel a little sad while everyone else looks sharp in theirs. Most wear theirs buttoned and tucked over a tee or turtleneck in winter. My mum, however, wears hers unbuttoned and untucked, and looks a cutie. Also everyone has gone and gotten a short puffy in light grey to top things off. Light grey is IT. How they all got the memo, I don’t know. I’d like to!

Bijou

Veteran

I wear button front shirts. I have one with a mandarin collar in a gauzy cotton and a number with regular collars in georgette material. I like my button up shirts to be soft and flowing, so I stick with softer materials and not thick crisp cottons. I like to wear mine tucked into jeans and skirts.

Anonymous

I love them, Bridgie.

I ended up purging the vast majority of them from my closet during the Great Wardrobe Purge of 2018. I made the decision not to add them back into my closet at this time for two reasons: (1) ironing; and (2) that damn gap in the front.

This decision does not mean I am not tempted when I see one I like. They are a timeless classic that ALWAYS look good. It is certainly ok to wear them with a cami or tee under them. In fact, that solves the gap problem. I wonder why I never thought of that? Oh yeah, I get too hot for multiple layers.

I hope you and your Family are well. Best wishes from the Piedmont.

Roberta

Veteran

Interestingly, I wore a Boden button front shirt and nice pants to work yesterday and felt too casual all day long. Possibly a blazer would have dressed up the look. And my workplace is definitely business casual. The whole look was a bit frumpy, despite cute prints and nice fabrics etc. An unfortunate spot between weekend and workday.

I think the shirt would look good with well worn jeans; blue or white. Something to think about, because having finally found shirts that work for a 38DDD, I want to wear them!

bridgie

Veteran

Style Fan, Thanks for commenting. Enjoy St. Augustine.

ChrisM, Thank you. You seem to like button-ups for all the reasons I do. They really are versatile if you can get the fit you like.

Alicewonderland, Thank you, another YLF'er who loves button-ups.

bridgie

Veteran

ChristelJ, Thank you, I am glad you are on Team button-up.

Taylor, thank you. Your comment reminds me of a beautiful light blue silk button-up I have. I don't wear it much either, but probably will very soon.

bridgie

Veteran

DonnaF and ChrisM, Thank you. I do have a button up denim dress. I love wearing it over slim pants. I don't wear full or flare pants very much but do think that is a nice look. One which you do so well Donna.

Anonymous

When I first joined YLF, over 10 years ago, classic button-up shirts were very popular. There was even a major discussion as to what to call them “ button up or button down”. Also discussion on popped collars.
I bought a black and a white at Brooks Brothers. I also like Foxcroft shirts for fit and fabric. Many are no iron. Today I like to wear them under other tops and let a bit of the collar show. My favorites are polka dot and blue chambray. These are essentials for me.

Greyscale

Veteran

I wear quite a few button up shirts in cotton and silk. My cotton shirts are casual, boxy fit oxfords. My silk shirts range from loosely fitted to oversized. I don’t currently have any dressier, fitted cotton shirts and they do seem less ‘in’ right now but I think there’s always a place for them.

Anonymous

Joy -- I swear to you that even though I buy "no iron," they require ironing. I swear.

bridgie

Veteran

rachylou, thank you. I bet your mother is a cutie in her unbuttoned and untucked button-up shirt. That is one of my favorite ways to wear a button-up. I didn't get the notice re the grey puffer, either. I do have my eye on a mint puffer vest and button-up shirt. Not planning to buy, unless it goes on tremendous mark-down.

Bijou, I am impressed with your soft and flowy button-ups. I am going to keep an eye out for soft and flowy. I think I would be more likely to tuck them.

Anonymous

They don't suit my style , and I haven't worn one in years, but do appreciate them on others who fit and style them well. They are a classic item in my books.

bridgie

Veteran

Sterling, thanks for reporting in from the Piedmont area. Now, if you could send better weather conditions my way it would be much appreciated. Re: the gaping and layering and ironing you mention plus being a full time working person, I think, I can well understand why you purged your button-ups!

Roberta, thank you. I am sorry you didn't feel your best in your button-up at work. I have no words of wisdom for you. I have been out of the work-force for so long and I am still trying to buy more casual clothes, even though I still like to look at what everybody else wears. I am glad you found your size. Boden does have nice and good quality clothes. I do not have anything yet but sure like them.

Joy, Thank you. I knew you would have yours all sorted. You always do, and as I think I have said before, I always look forward to your posts. To you and Sterling I do not like to iron either, but guess there is always something we have to iron or press.

bridgie

Veteran

Greyscale, thanks for your comments. I love your taste in clothes.

lisa P thank you. So you don't have a black button-up? Honestly, with your beautiful clothes, I can understand why you don't veer toward button-ups. There are other styles which are just more you.

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