The basic answer is a button up shirt is any shirt that has buttons running up the front; a button down shirt is the same but has additional buttons on the collar.
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1a of a collar : having the ends fastened to the garment with buttons. b of a shirt. (1) : having a button-down collar. (2) : having buttons from the collar to the waist.
Button down collars are considered a more casual button up shirt than button-ups without the fastened collar. There is a debate about whether it’s appropriate to wear a tie with a button down collar, but while it used to be a definite no-no, that’s no longer the case.
A button down shirt is usually seen as more casual, while a button up shirt is more formal. These rules can be broken, and more often than not a button up shirt can be worn as part of a smart casual outfit.
24 Fresh Ways to Wear That Button-Down That’s Buried at the Back of Your Closet
- Knot a sweater over it for some dimension.
- Wrap it slightly and tuck into trousers.
- Leave it open with a monochromatic look.
- Knot a short-sleeved version with wide-leg jeans.
- Layer it underneath a vest to offset a statement piece.
A half sleeve shirt is also called a camp shirt. It is similar to the classic button-down and often has a full-length front button closure. These shirts are casual, and it is common to wear them untucked.
The button-down collar is a variant on the point-collar dress shirt and is stylistically appealing for those who want to dress down but. But, in today’s casual world, a button-down with a tie and a sport coat is still quite well dressed.
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.
A button up shirt is a shirt that you can wear at formal events with a tie, or loosely if you’re aiming for a smart casual style. They’re commonly worn because you can wear them for any type of event, and dress it up or down as you like.
Button down shirts are a wardrobe workhorse in both women’s and men’s clothing, and yes, they can absolutely be casual, either by styling or by design!
Button-down shirts and polos
A button-down shirt is a business casual must.
Wear the shirt under a well-fitting sweater or over a full-sleeved shirt with cuffs rolled up. Such shirts go well with V-neck sweaters. Another complete look is to wear men’s button-down shirts under a blazer and tuck them into the jeans. Use matching accessories like a leather belt and branded shoes.
Fitted jeans are usually the right option. You want the jeans to look tailored to your body, so slim and fitted will pair better with a dress shirt than loose fitting jeans. In general, they also cuff better at the ankle for a more tailored look.
A dress shirt, button shirt, button-front, button-front shirt, or button-up shirt, is a garment with a collar and a full-length opening at the front, which is fastened using buttons or shirt studs.
A Henley shirt is a collarless pullover shirt, characterized by a round neckline and a placket about 3 to 5 inches (8 to 13 cm) long and usually having 2–5 buttons.
The collarless shirt is also referred to as the grandad collar shirt, and it comes in a few different variations, the most notable of which are band and mandarin.
The Five Types of Casual Button-Down Shirts You Need in Your Closet
- Spread Collar Shirts. A spread collar shirt is the most popular of men’s casual shirts.
- Button-Down Collar Shirts.
- Utility Shirts.
- Shirt Jackets (aka Overshirts)
- Band Collar Shirts (aka Collarless Shirts)
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.
So, when choosing your jeans, opt for a pair that will have a similar effect:
- Baggy Jeans – Look oversized and mismatched when paired with a shirt.
- Skinny Jeans – Look skin-tight compared to a shirt and will fatten your torso.
- Straight Jeans – The perfect fit for a shirt combo. Not too baggy and not too skinny.
What type of shirt do you wear under a suit?
2. A Polo Shirt. It may not seem like the most obvious choice to wear under a blazer, but a men’s polo shirt is a wardrobe staple for lots of men, and it can look nice dressed up under a blazer and tucked in with a belt.
Is it appropriate to wear a suit without a tie?
It depends on the occasion, however the answer is generally no. Not wearing a tie with a suit, would be like not wearing socks with your shoes or not wearing cuff links with your cuffs! The suit is designed for the tie and would be lost without it.