People’s lifestyles, clothing preferences, and employer dress code (or lack thereof) vary wildly. So, there really aren’t many pieces of clothing that “every man should own.” The button-up shirt might be an exception. But that doesn’t mean that every person has to own the same standard white shirt. We explored different types of white dress shirts and how to style them to provide an option for a white button-up shirt for anyone.
First, if you’re on the hunt for a formal white shirt for a wedding or black tie event, here’s a quick guide to find the right shirt.
The Basics of Button-Up Shirts
When we reference the button-up shirt, we mean a formal, semi-formal, or casual shirt with buttons up the front. This is not to be confused with a “button-down” shirt, which refers to a collar style where the collar points are attached to the shirt. To give you a range of white shirts, we’ll discuss a wide variety of white shirts.
Keep It Classic
A white button-up dress shirt paired with men’s formal or business casual attire will always look good.
A traditional white dress shirt alongside a full suit or a jacket with dress trousers offers a timeless look for the office or a dressier wedding. The full suit and tie look great for the most buttoned-up version, but losing the tie suggests a relaxed elegance.
Go Jacket-less for Polished Ease
Wearing your white button-up shirts without a jacket gives a smart, but unstuffy look.
If you work in a casual office or at the end of a long day, let the white dress shirt have the spotlight. Tucked into dress pants, the elegant minimalism of a timeless white shirt shines through. It looks great with a leather belt, but you can double down on the clean look with side tabs and a luxurious twill fabric.
If you’re chasing a vacation look, unbutton a few more buttons and roll the sleeves. For that coastal vacation look, check out the Giro Inglese.
Add Button-Down to Your Button-Up
Button-down collars bring a casual prep style to your classic white button-down shirts.
This collar style, invented to keep a collar from moving around during sporting events, has long been associated with East Coast, Ivy League, and preppy styles. However, the style has become so popular that it’s now seen as more ubiquitous than belonging to any one subculture. If you’re chasing the old-school prep vibe, pair it with chinos and consider a sweater around the waist or neck. For a more casual look, try it untucked with jeans.
Explore Texture
Different fabric or fabric treatments create white button-up shirts that look and feel different.
Seersucker, a cotton that alternates tight and loose weaves, creates an eye-catching texture. Often associated with southern tailoring, the fabric also looks great as a casual white shirt. It looks great untucked with casual summer pants.
Another fabric famed for its texture is linen. Light and breathable, the material is often worn in warmer climates and associated with a vacation aesthetic. You’ll see it commonly worn untucked with light pants or even shorts. Worn as a standard button-up shirt, it can dressed up a little bit when tucked in or worn with a jacket. The fabric also looks great in the functional-oriented utility style, leaning way into the casual, almost practical style.
Finding the Right White Button-Up Shirt for You
While there’s no shirt every man must own, there is a white shirt for every man.
Defining your style and determining what clothes you want can be a process. Looking at inspiration (we like Inside Hook and Valet), trying things on, and taking some fashion risks are all part of the process.
Some basic questions you might ask yourself include:
- How formal do you want (or need) to look?
- Will you mostly wear it tucked or untucked?
- Should it always look pressed and unwrinkled or do you like a little natural imperfection?
- Do you need this for seasonal or year-round use and how warm or breathable do you want it to be?
With time and some experimentation, you’ll find the right white shirt that fits your lifestyle and taste. If you’re looking for some style advice, you can always connect with us online or in person at our showrooms.