Womens Button Up Shirts

The perfect womens button up shirt is a wardrobe essential that elevates everything from casual jeans and a tee to polished workwear. We spoke with experts to pick the best options.

During a closet purge, jewelry designer Torie de Jong-Tilley found this Mango shirt that looks like her boyfriend’s. She loves the slightly dropped shoulders and high/low hem.

1. Banana Republic Oversized Button-Up

The hoodie may be the summer’s undisputed king, but when it comes to laidback elegance, there’s no denying the button-down shirt’s enduring appeal. Style influencers from all over the world are turning to relaxed takes on this classic staple for everyday wear and a dose of effortless style.

Torie de Jong-Tilley of Common Era jewelry is a fan of this Mango shirt, which she describes as “the Jane Birkin button-down that I judge all others by.” womens button up shirts She likes the length and the extra volume in the sleeves, which are longer than usual for easy rolling. She also loves that the cuffs hit at the center of her palm rather than closer to her wrist.

The oversized silhouette of this Banana Republic shirt gives off Meg Ryan-strolling-through-the-park vibes, but it’s still structured enough to look polished when worn tucked in or front-tucked over high-waisted wide-leg pants. It also has added sleeve tabs for rolling them, so they won’t fly up in the wind. This is the type of top that’s ideal for running errands, a trip to the farmer’s market, or brunch.

2. Banana Republic Cropped Button-Up

As more and more performance shirts enter the market, the classic button-down remains a wardrobe staple. This one from Banana Republic is made of premium linen that’s breathable and lightweight, but it still manages to keep its structure. Unlike other linen options that have to be constantly pressed and ironed, this one wrinkles naturally (just be sure to double-check Cubavera’s extensive size chart) and needs only a light steam or spritz of water to come back to life.

Style coach Kim Hancher recommends this shirt for its can’t-miss cuffs that hit past the wrist rather than just at it. She says the shirt feels like a piece of French clothing and that it “has the laissez-faire look of Jane Birkin.”

Strategist Erin Schwartz loves this shirt because it’s not too boxy or baggy, making it easy to tuck into high-waisted jeans without looking frumpy. It also has a bit of a pajama feel that makes it feel special. It’s the one she grabs for when she wants to look put-together but doesn’t have time for a full outfit.

3. Ann Mashburn Icon Button-Up

Founded by former fashion editor Sid Mashburn and his wife Ann, the Atlanta-based brand offers a curated collection of wardrobe essentials that take the guesswork out of getting dressed. Known for its refined sport jackets and classic cotton button-downs, Sid Mashburn counts Steven Yeun and Arnold Schwarzenegger among its fans. The label’s women’s Icon white button-down has everything going for it: womens button up shirts an oversized fit (perfect for layering over tees), crisp paper poplin that looks as chic wrinkled as pressed and soft ruffles at the collar and cuffs.

This version is made from Italian cotolino, which is garment-dyed with real indigo to age more beautifully over time—just like a pair of 501s that get better with every wash. This shirt also supports the company’s initiative to support cotton communities that are fighting back against climate change. Find it at one of Sid Mashburn’s shops in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston and Washington, or online. (Sid Mashburn’s Santa Monica boutique will open soon). The line is also available at Neiman Marcus.

4. Ann Mashburn Icon Linen Button-Up

In the words of husband-and-wife team Ann and Sid Mashburn, who founded their popular Atlanta-based brand in 2007, “you don’t need many style choices to look good—just the right ones.” This oversized white button down delivers just that with brilliant details like extra-long cuffs that can be worn long or cuffed up, side slits that make it easy to tuck and tie, French seams, grosgrain detailing, and Kule’s striped branding tape at the side slit. The result is a flattering, seasonless shirt that will become more refined with every wear.

Designed by an ex-fashion editor with a verve for repurposing menswear, this classic white shirt is anything but basic (thanks to its Italian poplin, scaled collar, and slim cut) yet a staple every wardrobe needs. Made with Better Cotton, a program that supports the sustainable and ethical production of cotton. The Icon Shirt is the ultimate closet essential that will elevate everything from jeans to structured skirts.

5. Dickies Women’s Stretch Button-Up

A classic button-down is a staple every wardrobe needs. Whether you’re wearing it on a 3 a.m. bodega run or to a formal finance interview, this versatile staple will keep you looking put together without feeling overly dressed up. And while you might think this style is strictly a menswear staple, there are plenty of great options for women too — as Chrissy Teigen recently discovered in a Twitter poll.

The key to finding the perfect button-down is ensuring it fits you well. When shopping for a new shirt, look for one that’s tailored in the shoulder and across the back (check the label to see where it falls) and avoid ones with too-loose buttons or gaping in the chest or armpits, says wardrobe stylist Alison Bruhn. Also, make sure the cuffs and collar sit at just the right spot for you.

Cotton is the fabric of choice for most shirts, but linen and cotton-linen blends are lightweight and wrinkle-resistant too. Silk looks and feels luxe but can be expensive and will need to be dry cleaned. Lastly, consider going with a sustainable option like Quince. The brand uses consciously-sourced natural materials and produces its workwear basics in BSCI-compliant factories.