The Best White Button Down Shirts
Building your uniform with an iconic wardrobe staple.
My first photo shoot when I started as a fashion editor at InStyle magazine was to style a story about all the ways to wear a white button down shirt. It felt serendipitous, a white button down is and was one of the most go-to items in my own closet. I probably styled 50 outfit options for that shoot, even though I only needed (we only ran) about 12 (see below for the only tear I could find from this story). I have always been drawn to the closet classic- the iconic references, endless styling opportunities, and digging into the many different variations from silhouette to fabric.Â
InStyle magazine 2014, White Shirt Tales
I am most drawn to the simplicity of a button down and how with the right styling it can evolve into something conceptual, preppy, minimal, maximal, elegant, and so on. It is probably the most useful and versatile item in most of our closets. Â
There are so many amazing white button-down shirts out there right now. Here is my best attempt to break it down to the best of the best. Â
Oversized
There are quite a few shirts in this post that have a slightly oversized fit, but these I find to be the best for wearing as an oversized shirt. This fit is great with a tee, tank or turtleneck underneath, or on its own. I love styling with sleeves cuffed or open and loose. All three options have a slightly curved back hem and are 100% cotton, which gives them that crisp, clean silhouette.Â
Linen
I never gravitate towards linen; I always find it to look sloppy on me. This Jil Sander button down has proved me wrong. The fabric is quite thick, so it holds its shape and is less prone to wrinkles. I love how the black buttons compliment black pants. This Cos linen shirt looks like a great summer go-to, especially when paired with the matching shorts. Another Tomorrow did a great linen version with a more elegant shape, the arms are just slightly curved with a perfect pleat at the shoulder.Â
Classic
Below Khaite option is perfect. A washed cotton and a slim fit without looking shrunken. I love The Row’s Petra shirt; I have it in black and wear it on its own or under a sweater. It is a slightly crisper and slimmer fit than the Khaite and Alex Mill- it has 3% elastane to give it that gives it the tiniest amount of stretch to the cotton. Alex Mill is a more relaxed, menswear cut with one pocket and slightly wider body.Â
All in the Details
Ok, this Interior shirt is amazing. The double collar and double sleeve are such a chic detail- the bottom layers are a slight warm off-white tone. It’s long silhouette so would be great untucked. Side note- I ended up exchanging for one size up after I saw myself in this photo. Another shirt I have stood by for a while now is this Citizens of Humanity style- the sleeves have buttons at the elbow so you can get a well styled clean cuff. A great price and many colors to choose from. Lafayette 148 just launched a monogram program for shirting with stylist Petra Flannery. They have a great selection of white shirts, including the oversized one above, and are one of those brands that has amazing quality and really flies under the radar IMO. This little monogram detail on the shirt makes for a great Mother’s Day Gift!
Fluid Fit
A few things I love about a silk (or silk feeling) button down -they are great for layering - no crisp bulk in the fabric, they usually come in an ivory or off tone white-which really softens the look, and the drape and fabric feel great skimming your skin. Khaite’s take on this style is a silk charmeuse and is the perfect evening blouse. I love the slightly warmer tone. Nili Lotan was the first one that came to my mind in this category, she has done this 100% silk shirt for many seasons- it's great for layering and wearing on its own. The color is just off a crisp white. Another Tomorrow has great fitting viscose and elastane style which has a perfect pointed collar, waist cinch, and oversized cuffs. Great for layering under a sweater or jacket with collar and sleeves poking out.Â
Bib Front Tux Shirt
Both casual and formal takes on the timeless tux shirt. Victoria Beckham does great button downs, one of the many fun facts we learned from the Beckham documentary. I have this Toteme style in black- I love it with sleeves cuffed. It is a heavy twill, which I like for shape, but this is not that easy breezy button down if that is what you are after. Attersee always finds the elegance in classic pieces- this tux shirt would be great for something more formal or a causal day to day go-to. The bib detailing and buttons are beautiful.Â
A Perfect Pairing
One the of the best compliments to a white button down is classic gold jewelry. I love the dainty pieces below from Catbird. The chain link necklace, bracelet and signet ring are complimentary to the classic menswear shirting. The gold tones and updated pearls soften the overall look. And all so well priced for 14k gold and excellent quality.Â
Also! If you happen to be in LA next Tuesday April 9 come see me at the new Catbird shop in Larchmont. I will be there from 4-7pm for shopping, chatting, and one on one jewelry styling! Ping events@catbirdnyc.com if you plan to stop by.
xo,
ali
I couldn't live without a classic white shirt. So many great options and it's all about the fit. thank you! Though I'm one for making investment purchases and holding on to them forever, white shirts I replenish often and downgrade the old ones to beach or knocking around wear. Regardless of what you pay, white cotton will eventually yellow with wear.
So I have a question regarding white shirts. Am I the only one that gets yellow armpits after a few wears that cannot be washed out? I tried a lot of products promising not to damage clothing and they don't seem to work.