The 16 Best Button-Down Shirts We're Wearing on Repeat (2024)

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Size Range: XS-XL | Materials: Cotton, nylon, spandex | Colors: 2

Everyone needs a basic button-down shirt in their wardrobe; this is our favorite overall pick for its relaxed yet structural silhouette, chic oversize front pocket, and a comfortable cotton blend material. It’s the perfect button-down to pair with jeans but also sleek enough to pair with wide-leg pants and heels for a dressy feel.

Size Range: XS-XXL | Materials: Cotton | Colors: 9

We can always rely on Amazon Essentials to create something we love at an accessible price. This one comes top-rated from over 10,000 customers with rave reviews for its quality, length, fit, and wrinkle resistance. But, we also love it because there’s a great selection of patterns and prints to choose from, in addition to some solids, so you can easily find one that fits the occasion and season.

Size Range: XXS-XL | Materials: Silk, spandex | Colors:7

Frame is a go-to for amazing high-end jeans, which makes the brand the perfect place to find a top to pair beautifully with jeans. This fitted button-down shirt is made from glossy silk mixed with spandex for added comfort and stretch, and comes in a range of great neutrals. We love this one for adding to your workwear wardrobe.

Size Range: 00-24 (classic, petite, tall) | Materials: Regenagri-certified cotton | Colors:2

Available in classic shirt hues, crisp white and baby blue, this one from J.Crew will make you look incredibly elegant in the office. Not quite oversized yet not quite fitted, it works with a variety of pieces. Pair it with slacks for an extra professional look, or with jeans to embody Meghan Markle cool. Bonus points for the petite and tall options, which ensure this shirt is a perfect fit for more people.

Size Range: XS-XL | Materials: Mulberry silk, spandex | Colors: 13

Given its easy polish, chances are you’ll get a lot of wear out of a silk blouse, so a top that doesn’t require a trip to the dry cleaner is a major plus. This washable button-down style is made from a stretchy silk material that naturally makes for a relaxed fit. It pairs beautifully with trousers for a dressed-up style but would also look chic with a pair of wide-leg denim for a casual look.

Size Range: 0-16 | Materials: Cotton | Colors: 1

If you think about it, iconic men’s workwear brand Hawes & Curtis is the ideal place to shop for a button-down of your own, if you’re looking to add to your business casual options. This fitted number may be a classic style, but it’s far from boring, thanks to its blue and white pinstripes and contrasting collar and cuffs.

Size Range: XXS-5XL | Materials: Cotton, recycled cotton, elastane | Colors: 4

Good American may have only existed for a handful of years, but it’s already an iconic destination for everything from loungewear to super cool fashion pieces. This oversized button-down shirt can be worn closed, tucked into some matching jeans, or open, like a lightweight jacket (it does come in denim and leather). And as with everything Good American, it comes in an impressive range of sizes to fit many body shapes.

Size Range: XXS-XXL (regular, tall, petite) | Materials: Linen, viscose rayon | Colors: 4

Proving that a button-down can be a relaxed wardrobe item, this breezy cropped linen blend shirt from Gap is a perfect piece for summer—whether you spring for the matching shorts or not. This loose-fitting, short-sleeved number comes in a stripy print, and solids in off white, olive green, or black, and in tall and petite sizing options as well. It’s so easy to style, and so easy to wear, that you may just want to collect all four colorways.

Size Range: XS-XL | Materials: Cotton, nylon, lycra spandex | Colors: 3

This elevated take on a short-sleeved button-down from Theory is crafted from a blend of high-quality cotton, nylon, and spandex for flexibility. It’s perfect for fans of pared down Scandi style and pairs seamlessly with a nice pair of wide-legged pants or a sleek mini skirt. This shirt also comes in a wool option for those cooler days.

Size Range: XS-XL | Materials: Nylon, elastane | Colors: 3

We absolutely love the look of a button-down shirt tucked into pants or skirts, but this can sometimes be impractical—especially if the fabric is prone to wrinkling. That’s where this number from Commando comes in, cleverly subverting that particular problem by combining the elegance of a sleeveless button-down with the sleekness of a bodysuit, so that your look stays perfect even post-bathroom break.

Size Range: XS-4X (regular, tall, petite) | Materials: Double-weave cotton | Colors: 5

In our opinion, Old Navy is a totally underrated brand. It may not be the most glamorous, but the designs are spot-on, like this crinkle gauze shirt with a loose fit that you can easily slip on for work or play. It also doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, comes in sizes up to a 4X, and is available in five colors, each more beautiful than the last (though we’re particularly eyeing up that lilac situation).

Size Range: P/XS-P/L | Materials: Cotton, elastane | Colors: 5

Made from wrinkle-resistant fabric, this fitted shirt tucks neatly into all your pants and jeans for a put-together look. Choose from three solid colors and two pinstripe color options—you could always start a small collection if you find you just really love this shirt. For petites, opt for the petite version of this shirt, which will provide a better fit for your body.

Size Range: 4XS-4XL | Materials: Cotton, elastane | Colors: 11

Universal Standard is another brand we never tire of, thanks to their fantastic basics available in a ton of stunning color options and in a wide size range. This classic poplin shirt is no exception, spanning sizes 4XS through 4XL, and available in various solid colors and pinstripe options. Yet the selling point is the hidden snaps between the buttons that prevent the shirt from popping open, especially on those with large chests.

Size Range: XS-XL | Materials: Linen | Colors: 1

Naturally breathable and billowy, linen offers an effortlessly cool and breezy vibe. This oversized button-down from AYR has a relaxed silhouette, a curved hem, and easy-to-fold sleeves.

Size Range: XXS-XL | Materials: Cotton | Colors: 7

This oversized shirt by Frank & Eileen is preppiness incarnate, and makes a lovely easy piece for summer in pinstriped cotton. We also love that there are so many different color and fabric options, with various plaids and stripes to choose from to suit every style and occasion. All of them look great paired with shorts and jeans for a day spent relaxing in the sun.

Size Range: XXS-XXL | Materials: Cotton | Colors: 1

Madewell is chock-full of gems when it comes to replenishing your capsule wardrobe. This denim shirt is just loose-fitting enough, but not so loose that it won’t easily tuck into a pair of jeans (or other pants, if you’re not quite in your Britney/Justin c. 2001 era just yet). It’s made from 100% cotton, adding to the authentic western-style that’s only going to get more popular.

FAQ

• Should you roll up the sleeves on a button-down?

  Rolling your sleeves up is always an option with a button-down shirt, which can create a more relaxed look than when they’re buttoned up. “If you are wearing a jacket or blazer, you’ll want to wear the sleeves down and possibly buttoned so they don’t scrunch and wrinkle at the wrist and forearm,” says Lamb. “Pro styling tip: Roll your sleeves by pulling the sleeve down and folding the cuff. Then, fold up the sleeve again, ensuring the cuff is above the fold. You may have to fold it again to make it stay, but this is an easy way to keep it in place.”

• How do you tuck in a button-down shirt?

  “I love tucking in the front half of the shirt with a great pair of jeans, then tucking in the back side of the shirt so that it gives a chic, ‘French girl’ look,” says Lamb. “You can fully tuck in the shirt, and if you lift your arms slightly, it will blouse out perfectly. Add a vintage or adorned belt for a fun accessory."