Womens Button Up Shirts
Womens Button Up Shirts
A classic button-down can elevate any look from laidback to polished in a matter of minutes. So we asked several stylists to share their favorites, and some styling tips for the shirt staple.
Bruhn recommends looking for ones that can be machine washed and don’t require ironing, especially if you don’t enjoy doing it. She also loves this option from Mango for its Jane Birkin-esque silhouette and lightness that works year-round over a swimsuit.
Everlane The Silky Cotton Relaxed Shirt
A silk button-down combines put-together polish with lived-in comfort. It’s a classic staple that can move seamlessly from your 3 a.m. bodega run to a casual lunch meeting and even an interview. And while they’re typically pricier than your go-to T-shirts, they last longer.
One Everlane customer raved that her shirt has “that perfect oversized look” and “fits perfectly,” while another called it “super soft, drapey and looks great without being ironed.” For a more tailored silhouette, the brand also offers a boxy version that has been reviewed positively by fashion blogger Hailey Rizzo of Feeling Good As Hail. The boxy silhouette flatters her petite frame, and she says it’s the perfect fit for high-waisted jeans.
Style coach Kim Hancher adores this shirt, which she says is a great basic and “looks sharp with jeans or tucked into skirts.” It features can’t-miss cuffs that hit closer to the womens button up shirts center of your palms than the usual fold. It also comes in linen, a fabric that Hancher says is lightweight and wrinkle-resistant. It’s on sale now for 50% off.
J.Crew The Crinkled Oxford Button-Up
The perfect oxford is key to a polished wardrobe, according to the experts we spoke with. “A good shirt makes you feel put together but not trying too hard, and polished without being overly preppy,” explains Something Navy founder Arielle Charnas. That’s why she keeps this Everlane cotton oxford in heavy rotation. “It looks like a classic men’s oxford but is soft and comfortable—it even has the appearance of being wrinkle-resistant,” she says. It’s also incredibly versatile, pairing easily with high-waisted jeans and tucked into skirts.
If you’re in the market for a slightly preppier style, try this J Crew casual shirt with a flattering Goldilocks fit that’s not too oversized or slim. “I always have one of these shirts in my closet,” says stylist and blogger Kristina Zias. “I love that it’s boxy and can be worn tucked in or untucked.”
And if you really want to up the ante, consider a seersucker option, like this one from Reformation. Its intentionally relaxed silhouette and dramatically curved hem make it a fresh, modern take on a classic.
Mango The Jane Birkin Button-Up
A white button-down was a staple of Birkin’s wardrobe, so take her lead with this relaxed cotton style. The slightly oversized silhouette can be tucked into high-waisted denim shorts or worn over a maxi skirt for that Birkin nonchalance. You can even dress it up by layering a faux-leather bustier over the top, as she sometimes did.
Whether on the beach or strolling through town, Birkin embodied French-girl style with her breezy mini dresses and basket bag. womens button up shirts Here, she’s photographed with mentor-turned-lover Gainsbourg as she demonstrates her ability to look effortlessly pulled together, despite wearing jeans and a shirt.
If you want to emulate her androgynous, relaxed yet feminine style, opt for an A-line shift dress with a pastel color or floral print. Finish off the look with a pair of ballet flats or strappy heels and your favorite basket bag (like this one from Cubavera) and you’ll have that classic Jane Birkin vibe down pat. Just remember to always add a touch of sexiness with your accessories, like the wide belt she’s wearing here.
Anne Fontaine The Clodie Button-Up
French label Anne Fontaine is a master of white shirts, says stylist Jessica Cadmus (also known as the Wardrobe Whisperer). She notes that their silhouettes are “slimmer and tailored” and often feature eye-catching details like Shakespearean ruffles or puffed sheer sleeves. The Clodie is one of Cadmus’ favorites, saying that its contrasting pockets and hidden center button placket give it a “reserved, composed feel when unbuttoned.”
Strategist writer Erin Schwartz swears by the fitted silhouette of the brand’s jersey prima cotton-poplin blend. It’s “perfectly tucked and can be layered with a blazer,” she says. Plus, she loves its micro-pleated details, which elevate it from a simple staple to something special.
Torie de Jong-Tilley uses Jane Birkin’s button-downs as the standard by which she judges her own, and though this Mango option is sold out in her usual size, she recommends this similar version from Cubavera. Its can’t-miss cuffs hit past your wrists, which doubles as an easy way to keep the sleeves rolled up when you want them out of the way. (Or, you can double-cuff them for a more exaggerated look.)
Mickey Freeman The A-Line Button-Up
Mickey Freeman is a celebrity stylist and designer who’s worked with the likes of Keke Palmer, Azealia Banks, and Dylan Sprouse. His collection of womens button up shirts includes this A-line poplin style that has an elegant feel, thanks to its crisp cotton-blend poplin and ruched detailing. This is a flattering fit that looks great over jeans or a midi skirt.
Freeman calls this shirt a “flannel incarnation” of his line’s “FreeMen silhouette.” The label is all about the evolution of masculinity, with its genderless approach to dressing and utility kilts. “The name is a nod to this vision of the future in which cultural, racial, and religious lines blur and we are all one—and Free,” he says.
If you’re a fan of plaid, this Amazon favorite is a great option that comes in 23 different color options so you can find the perfect match to your wardrobe. It’s made from 100 percent cotton and can be worn to lounge at home or over a tank top with linen pants for casual dress. The shirttail hem is long enough to cover your bum, and the signature bust-flattering button placement makes it easy to wear with jeans or a midi skirt.