oooo Angie! So unpredictable!

Ah, Angie - the voice of reason! Thanks. I have a denim shirt and you are right, I don't wear it as often as I ought. I thought a white shirt might be better because I can wear it to work, but perhaps I'm wrong. I think I'll thrift one very cheaply if I come across it and see if I can even come up with possible outfits before spending real $.

I find that white shirts of any kind usually bring out the blue berry pie and spaghetti dinners in people.

Or try ebay ?

I just don't think it's worth your effort, Una. It's wiser to concentrate on softer blouses with smaller collars - you love those, and know that they work

I'm in the same boat as you Una -- I like the idea of a white button down and have been searching for years but recently I've given up! Not worth the effort. For example, I ordered over 10 different button downs from Nordstrom recently and not a one worked. However, in that order was a great knit version that I like a lot (also in my latest WIW): http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/sp.....op/3135736.

I own two white button-down shirts: one was purchased for and has been worn only for dress uniforms (concert attire is either black-black or white-black), and hangs carefully in my closet now completely unworn because I don't want to ever iron it.

The other one, I ordered from Lands' End Canvas on a whim because it was only $11 or something like that, and I LOVE it. It's a great layering alternative to cardigans. I usually leave the front unbuttoned and untucked and roll up the sleeves to 3/4 or elbow. The shirt came purposely wrinkled and I've kept it that way. It's also a softer white, not so pure and bright, and I think that has helped keep the look casual.

I'm not afraid to get my "wrinkly" white button-down dirty because it's machine washable, and anyway, perpetually wrinkled. As a result, I somehow DON'T stain it. Magic!

I love my white buttondown. I think the cut, fabric, texture, weight, and hue all need to converge. If they do, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it. If they don't, you'll wonder why anyone even bothers.

I was not a buttondown person in any way before I discovered Steven Alan.

LOL, Patty! You win the YLF funny girl award! With Claire giving you a run for your money.

Angie's so smart. I was scratching my head wondering why you'd want to try this, Una, when you know it's not really you and it isn't an easy fit for your body type in the first place.

BUT...having said that, KL has a seriously smart point. I have a grey cord button down that I use exclusively as a layering alternative to a cardi on weekends, and it is GREAT in the winter. Cozy yet a bit more structured than a cardi. And a little bit RATE. I can see how a denim shirt or even the right white button down could be used the same way and would really work for you. You'd basically be wearing like a jacket. I don't know if you would like it the way I wear it which is a bit different to KL; I button a couple of middle buttons (to give myself a "waist") leaving the top and very bottom open. I layer it over a thin T and often add a scarf. Skinnies and boots on the bottom. Voila!

You could thrift a white button down and see if that worked. If it did, the very same look would work with pencil skirts & boots. In fact, it could look amazing with your sequined skirt.