Tips on how to wear a classic button down collar shirt. (2024)

Tips on how to wear a classic button down collar shirt. (1)

Tips on How to Wear a Classic Button Down Collar Shirt

What is a Button Down Collar?

Put simply, it is a shirt collar with buttons on the collar points to fasten it in place. There are two different types of button down collars:

1. Classic Button Down Collar, where the buttons on the collar points are visible.

2. Hidden Button Collar, where the buttons on the collar points are hidden.

See our Shirt Collar Style Guide for more information on collars.

Now, the question is, how can you wear your classic button down collar? You have more style options than you may think, ranging from ultra-casual to semi-formal. Here are the top 4 ways to wear your button down collar.

Button Down Collar Without a Tie

If looking for a more casual style, but still appropriate for the office, choose to outfit your button down collar without a tie and unbutton the top button. Most often, classic button down collars are worn without ties. Having the collar buttons still fastened will keep the collar standing up, helping the shirt still look crisp, yet casual. For a more business causal look, pair your shirt with a jacket.

Tips on how to wear a classic button down collar shirt. (2)

Buttoning the Shirt All the Way Up

You can certainly button your shirt all the way up and forgo the tie. This look has been gaining more popularity lately and is often best suited for fall and winter as you might find it is too hot to wear your shirt fully buttoned in the summer. Finish the look by pairing your shirt with a jacket.

Tips on how to wear a classic button down collar shirt. (3)

Unbuttoning the Collar Buttons

For the most relaxed look, unbutton the collar point buttons and unbutton the top button. This option for wearing button down collar shirts is best when you need to look your most casual, whether on weekends or after dinner. We do not recommend this look for professional settings. Be sure to wear your shirt untucked and sleeves rolled up to finish the look.

Tips on how to wear a classic button down collar shirt. (4)

Button Down Collar With a Tie

Looking for a dressier outfit while still keeping a casual feeling? Then pair your button down collar with a tie. Keep the buttons on the collar points fastened and outfit with a jacket for a semi-formal look. Make sure your tie is also casual – cotton or knit ties are perfect. Avoid dressy silk ties.

Tips on how to wear a classic button down collar shirt. (5)

Find Your Button Down Collar Shirt

Button down collars are versatile and can be styled in different ways for a casual weekend or a day at the office. Shop Batch’s assortment of button down collar shirts to find the perfect one for you. Shop Batch's collection of button down collars here.

Tips on how to wear a classic button down collar shirt. (2024)

FAQs

Tips on how to wear a classic button down collar shirt.? ›

Most often, classic button down collars are worn without ties. Having the collar buttons still fastened will keep the collar standing up, helping the shirt still look crisp, yet casual. For a more business causal look, pair your shirt with a jacket.

How to wear button-down collar shirt? ›

Button-down collar shirts truly shine when they're dressed down relative to a suit. You can certainly throw one on with a pair of jeans and call it a day, but a button-down collar shirt works quite well with a sport coat and odd trouser combo too. They even pair nicely with a classic navy blazer.

What is the point of button-down collars? ›

A button-down collar shirt is any dress or sport shirt whose collar attaches to the front panels of a shirt via buttons. It's a decidedly more casual look than a standard spread collar and as such is less optimal on suits (more on this debatable point below).

Are button-down collars in style in 2024? ›

I was surprised that oversized button-down shirts were on the 2024 fashion trends list, but they are… put there by a professional of the fashion industry. What is this? Travel & Leisure Magazine asked Jenna Lyons, J.

How is a collar supposed to look? ›

The collar is supposed to frame the face, to gently lead the viewer up to it and set it in its best light. To do this it needs to be well-proportioned all round. I've indicated those framing lines in the image below.

Can you wear a button-down collar without a tie? ›

Most often, classic button down collars are worn without ties. Having the collar buttons still fastened will keep the collar standing up, helping the shirt still look crisp, yet casual. For a more business causal look, pair your shirt with a jacket.

Are button-down collar still in style? ›

The button-down collar is likely the second most-common style in your wardrobe. But, whereas the spread style has a monopoly on your formalwear, the button-down design was made to ground both your collar points and your fashion — and is ideal for more casual get-ups.

Should button-down collars always be buttoned? ›

That kind of aesthetic can work if you're wearing shorts or headed to the beach, but, for the most part, you're better off keeping the collar buttoned and the roll firmly in place. And if you decide to wear the shirt with a tie, you should never even consider leaving the collar buttons unbuttoned.

What is the etiquette for collar buttons? ›

Nowadays wearing your top collar button unfastened is acceptable for day wear, still not for a formal meeting or event. For a casual/weekend look you can unfasten another button for comfort, this works particularly well if you have requested a slightly higher buttoning from your tailor.

What do you call a shirt with a button-down collar? ›

A button-down or button-down shirt is a dress shirt with a button-down collar – a collar having the ends fastened to the shirt with buttons.

What is trendy right now in 2024? ›

Fashion Trend 2024: Full Skirts

Instead of slinky fits or Y2K-inspired denim fabrics, fuller skirts — a Molly Goddard signature — and ball gown silhouettes will be all the rage according to designers like Bottega Veneta and Staud.

Is button-down collar shirt formal? ›

Button-down shirts are generally more casual than button-up shirts and are often worn in more relaxed or informal settings. In fact, it was the polo players who introduced the button-down shirt back in the 19th century.

How to wear a button-down shirt for a woman? ›

Button-down shirts can be styled in a variety of ways. For Sethi, there are three timeless ways to style a button-down shirt: pairing it with jeans, wearing a white fitted T-shirt underneath and keeping it unbuttoned. For a more business casual look, you can easily rock a pair of loafers with a blazer.

What is a hidden button-down collar? ›

The hidden button collar is the cousin of the more well known button-down collar. As the name suggests, the buttons and buttonholes are hidden under the collar meaning you enjoy the benefits of a button-down collar while maintaining the more formal appearance of a button-less collar.

Should collar be tight or loose? ›

As tight or snug as possible without being uncomfortable. You should be able to fit 1-2 fingers between the collar and your neck when it is buttoned. You should not have a large gap showing between the collar and neck. Heavier men should make sure their necks are not puffing out over the top of the collar.

What is a classic collar? ›

The point collar is a classic style of collar that has a slimming effect on the wearers face. The distance between the points of the collar is smaller and point more vertically which help draw the eye downwards.

Are button-down collars business casual? ›

Button down collars have made a strong appearance in today's business casual looks. They exude ease and carefree style, while still looking polished.

Do you tuck in collar shirts? ›

As a rule of thumb, dress shirts are always meant to be dressed tucked in, while casual and short-sleeved shirts are okay to stay untucked. If unsure, remember to check your hem.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Pres. Carey Rath

Last Updated:

Views: 6092

Rating: 4 / 5 (41 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Pres. Carey Rath

Birthday: 1997-03-06

Address: 14955 Ledner Trail, East Rodrickfort, NE 85127-8369

Phone: +18682428114917

Job: National Technology Representative

Hobby: Sand art, Drama, Web surfing, Cycling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Leather crafting, Creative writing

Introduction: My name is Pres. Carey Rath, I am a faithful, funny, vast, joyous, lively, brave, glamorous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.