It’s safe to say that button-up shirts (button-down shirts, for those of you who don’t know that button-down technically refers to the buttons that secure the collar of a shirt, not the button front), have reached critical mass. I’m not complaining about this, I assure you, because, personally, I love them. But, they’re not for everyone and it has become increasingly more difficult to find shirt alternatives for our clients who prefer not to wear them. Fashion isn’t known for moderation and when it commits to a trend, it commits, it jumps in with both feet. Remember COVID when you couldn’t find a pair of pants that weren’t joggers? Basically, if you don’t like button-up shirts, you’re SOL, sh*t out of luck.
BUTTON-UP SHIRTS FOR SUMMER: CREATIVE WAYS TO STYLE THEM THIS SEASON
I have no desire for this trend to go away. I hope button-ups remain a staple for many seasons to come because I love the sharpness, the easy put-togetherness, and the classic chicness that these shirts offer. But if you are among those who have a closet full of button-up shirts and are looking for more ways to wear them this summer, in today’s post, I am giving you five creative ways to style them that go beyond just buttoning them up and walking out the door. Check out these ideas below.
BUTTON-UP SHIRTS FOR SUMMER: CREATIVE WAYS TO STYLE THEM THIS SEASON
OUTFIT #1- WEAR THEM IN PLACE OF A CARDIGAN
Last summer, I wrote a post about using a button-up in place of a cardigan and I wanted to include it again in this post because I think it is such a useful way to wear a shirt like this. Button-up shirts as cardigan replacements continue to be my go-to. I layer them over tanks, sleeveless jumpsuits, and dresses. When I was in Roatan in January, my oversized white shirt was my go-to. You can see the photo below styled with shirts and a tank.
In the look above, I styled these Frank & Eileen linen utility joggers with my favorite Frank & Eileen button-up shirt, The Joedy. Under the shirt, I added this sleeveless muscle tank from Everlane and finished the look with blush Birkenstocks, and Aquamarine drop earrings.
OUTFIT #2- AS A SWIM COVERUP
If you’re not using a button-up shirt as a swim coverup you are seriously missing out. I have never gone on a beach vacation without one. It’s a chic look that also offers strategic protection. The collar can protect the back neck and you can keep it open while covering your shoulders and back. I have photos below of the two ways I always wear my button-up as a coverup below.
In the look above, I styled this striped button-up shirt from Madewell as a coverup over this bikini from Farm Rio (link to top, link to bottoms). I finished the look with pink hibiscus sandals, a beach tote from Everything But Water, sunglasses from Quince, and a sun hat from San Diego Hat.
OUTFIT #3- CREATE A ROMPER OR JUMPSUIT
Jumpsuits and rompers are amazing summer pieces, but they have their drawbacks. For one, they can be tricky in the bathroom. They can also be tricky if you have a long torso. Faking a jumpsuit means you can also break the pieces apart and wear them separately. I recently bought two pieces from Quince below and wore them together to create the look of a jumpsuit.
In the look above, I styled this linen button-up shirt with linen shorts from Everlane. I finished the look with sneakers from Cole Haan and a silver link necklace from Ettika.
OUTFIT #4- CREATE A DUSTER USING A BUTTON-UP DRESS
Admittedly, I am fudging the topic a little bit here but I am creating a shirt look, only I am using a button-up shirt dress to create it. I styled this shirt dress from J.Crew with a navy and white striped tank from The Gap with ivory twill pants from MM. Lafleur. I finished the look with navy platform sandals from M.gemi, an ivory bangle from Machete, and convertible hoops from Merjuri.
OUTFIT #5- FAKE A DRESS
Another post I wrote last year was about using a matching top and skirt to fake a dress. The post was created for those who have either a long or short torso and find that where the waist is placed on a dress doesn’t necessarily line up with their waists. It’s a great use for your button-up shirts. I styled this short-sleeved button-up camp shirt with a matching linen skirt from Alex Mill. I finished the outfit with a pair of cognac flat sandals from Margaux, a beaded stone necklace from Monica Vinader, and to further create the illusion that this outfit is a dress and not two pieces, this belt from Banana Republic.
GET MAXIMUM USE FROM YOUR BUTTON-UPS
Button-up shirts may be popular but given how many ways you can wear them, you’re sure to get use from all the styles you have in your closet.
I love the idea of button up shirts, in theory, at least. However, finding one that fits well and looks good on a busty hourglass figure is very challenging. Most are too boxy and lack sufficient shaping.
I need both front and back darts and often, even when there is sufficient diameter in the chest, the fullness is distributed equally to front and back, leaving excess fabric between the shoulder blades while the front buttons gape. It makes me wonder, do designers not understand bustlines?
Then there is the muffin top that gets created when it is tucked in. Leaving it untucked can look sloppy or boxy and throw off proportions of an outfit. I have had some limited success belting an untucked shirt.
Do you know of any shirts that are darted and well shaped for us hourglasses? I know you are one too, Bridgette, though you don’t seem plagued by these issues as I am. And do you think there is any possibility that the shirt would still look good if darts were added to a dartless shirt? What should I look for in fabric and fit to get a good result with alterations?
Do you tuck or half-tuck? That helps with shape when you have an hourglass figure. You might also like Everlane’s shirts because they have a nice amount of shape but are also roomy enough in the bust. I LOVE these shirts. As far as the muffin top is concerned, perhaps your shirts are too slim and should try tucking styles that are looser.
If you want fitted and darted, I’d go with the Hugo Boss Bashina.