Womens Button Up Shirts
Womens Button Up Shirts
A subtle nod to menswear, the classic white button-down shirt is a wardrobe essential. This season, oversized silhouettes with ruffles give it a feminine flair.
As always, when buying a shirt, pay attention to fabric and fit, advises stylist Alison Bruhn. Look for a non-iron cotton (or linen), and avoid gaps at the buttons or in the shoulders.
1. Kule White Button-Up Shirt
It doesn’t get more classic than a white button-down shirt. The oxford cotton has a pleasing weightiness that’s still soft enough to womens button up shirts feel like you’re wearing pajamas. The fabric is also nicely opaque, so you won’t be able to see your lacy black bra peeking through at the least inconvenient moments.
Strategist writer Erin Schwartz describes this button-down as having a “pajama-y feel” and says she’ll reach for it over her other collared shirts. The fit leans oversize, but not too much so that it makes you look boxy or drowning in the shirt.
It’s a good option for summer, as the 100% cotton is lightweight and airy. The front buttons are in the perfect spot to avoid that dreaded peekaboo moment that can happen with other shirts (especially those with a high neckline). It comes in three different fits, and Schwartz recommends going one size down for a snugger fit.
2. Ann Mashburn Icon Shirt
Founders and husband-and-wife team Ann and Sid Mashburn are known for impeccable suiting and timeless wardrobe staples—and the Icon shirt is no exception. It’s crafted from a soft cotton that’s made with only sustainable fibers, and the sleeves feature French cuffs and sleek cuff links. It’s the ultimate white button down for those who like to take their style beyond basic.
The Icon shirt has the classic, scaled-down point collar and slim cut that’s dead simple and deadly chic. It looks just as good when it’s freshly ironed with a suit or sport coat as it does worn rumpled and untucked with jeans.
As an ex-fashion editor, Ann knows how to design clothes that make women feel like the best versions of themselves. This classic shirt—and the brand’s curated collection—do exactly that, from crisp woven shirts to everyday tees and ladylike blouses in luxe 40momme silk.
3. J.Crew White Button Down Shirt
With a crisp collar and notched hem, this white linen button-down exudes the preppiness of summer. The shirt’s made with fabric from Ireland’s century-old Baird McNutt mill, and comes in four fits (classic, slim, slim untucked, and tall) and 15 colors and patterns — including a fun gradient plaid.
J Crew recently launched a new shirt fit called “Untucked,” which is based on their slim casual shirt but with a shorter hem designed to be worn untucked. It’s a smart idea for anyone who wears their shirts untucked most of the time, but it does womens button up shirts mean that these shirts will feel slightly different from the rest of their casual shirt line.
A classic button down shirt is a closet essential. Pair it with tailored pants for a polished look or with chinos for a laid-back weekend vibe. From floral, gingham and animal print to stripes, polka dots and more, shop a wide range of womens printed tops at Lyst.
4. Kule Linen Button-Up Shirt
Whether you’re a beach girl or a city chick, Kule has the crisp, comfortable cotton-linen shirt for you. This style combines classic preppy chic with easy care, featuring a flattering oversize fit (though not too much so that you drown) and feminine details like an elegant notch collar. It’s available in sizes XS-XL and several neutral colors.
A TFG reader calls this top “the best white linen shirt ever.” It’s a true classic, with the perfect length and width for tucking or wearing untucked, plus it’s incredibly light, airy, and durable. This shirt’s front button closure also eliminates that dreaded peekaboo gap you’ll find on many other shirts.
TFG readers love Kule’s line of classic cotton and linen shirts, like this striped button-down shirt. It’s the kind of piece that can go from a cabin upstate to a tropical getaway with just a few simple swaps. Wear it with khaki pants or a casual denim skirt and sneakers.
5. Everlane Boxy Button-Up Shirt
A button-down shirt isn’t just for work: It can also make a stylish addition to your weekend outfit. The Everlane Boxy Button-Up Shirt has the borrowed-from-the-boys feel of classic men’s oxfords, but it was designed in a fit that flatters a woman (and comes in plenty of colors and stripes). Smart, who loves this shirt for its versatility, often wears it untucked with high-waisted jeans or knotted over a bathing suit on the beach.
Wardrobe stylist and blogger Hailey Rizzo, whose style has been featured in New York Magazine and WWD, likes this cotton button-up because it’s “not too boxy,” fits around her shoulders nicely, and looks polished and put together whether she wears it with a blazer or tucked into skinny jeans. She calls it her “perfect summer button-up.”
Blogger Kristina Zias has a similar love for this Everlane relaxed oxford, which she recommends as an especially good pick for women with bigger busts (along with the J.Crew cotton shirt in our button-downs-for-bigger-busts story). She says its slightly oversized fit doesn’t look too boxy and that it’s equally flattering tucked in or worn open.
6. J.Crew Cotton Button Down Shirt
If you’re looking for an affordable and reliable casual button down shirt, J Crew is a great place to start. They have a wide range of styles and fits that are sure to suit your needs. From floral blouses to plaid flannel designs, their collection of women’s tops is the perfect building block for your closet. Their shirts are comfortable and look great with either a skinny tie or fitted blazer.
They also recently introduced a new “Untucked” fit for their casual shirts that feature a shorter hem designed to be worn untucked. The fit is similar to their Slim fit, but the hem is about an inch shorter. The shirt is made from a lightweight cotton poplin with a new washed finish that’s soft to the touch and perfectly rumpled for a lived-in look and feel. It’s the perfect shirt for everyday wear, whether you’re going out to dinner or need a quick outfit for work.