If you are wearing a tie, the top button should always be buttoned. Otherwise, you have crossed the into the informal realm. If you are not wearing a tie, I would recommend keeping the top button unbuttoned.
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You want to keep things casual
If that’s not what you’re going for, unbutton the top button—no matter whether you’re wearing a shirt on its own or under a jumper or jacket. If you’re prioritising comfort, you’ll probably wear your shirt like this 90 percent of the time.” Browse outfits with casual shirts.
This rule applies to button up shirting, and in its entirety really reads, “Never button the top button unless you’re wearing a tie.” The idea is that if you’re not wearing a tie, there’s no reason to close the top button—a move that may be associated with nerdy guys or the conservative clergy.
How do you wear a dress shirt without a tie?
So don’t wear a shirt where the collar is going to spread out excessively and lie horizontally. Rather, you want the collar to stand up fairly straight and keep a nice vertical orientation. To accomplish this, make sure your shirt is well-ironed (add starch as needed), and use collar stays.
Ensure that everything fits properly. If you’re wearing a button-down shirt, make sure the buttons ride down the center of your body and that the shirt is properly buttoned. You may leave the top button unbuttoned.
The tradition dates back to King Edward VII from the early 1900s. He unbuttoned the bottom of his waistcoat because he was too fat. He unbuttoned the bottom of his jacket to pay homage to the riding jacket that suits replaced.
Never button the top button.
According to British GQ, the buttoning the top button debate has been running rampant in the fashion world for the last few years. It used to be a definite no-no, especially in the days of suit-and-tie rigidity, but it has emerged as a serious trend.
Here’s the short answer: yes, you can wear a tie with a button-down collar. The longer answer, as it always does, has a bit more complication. The button-down collar is a particularly American style. The oxford-cloth button-down is so beloved that in menswear circles it’s become known simply as the OCBD.
Which one is more formal – button-up or button-down collar? Button-ups are the more formal of the options. You can wear it for your most dressy occasions. On the other hand, the button-down shirt gives a more casual look and is never appropriate attire for formal wear.
Unbuttoning your shirt is a perfect way to make it look more casual. This change can also mean that you can be formal and casual in the same outfit. Especially if you plan accordingly – and pick up a suit that goes with this style.
Is it OK to not wear a tie to a wedding?
Rocking up to a wedding without a tie especially without checking first can come across as sloppy and even disrespectful depending on the individual. Unless told otherwise that the wedding is more relaxed and a tie is optional, wear the tie!
Which collar is best for no tie?
Band Collar
Technically just a neckband, this point-less collar is meant to be worn without a tie. It’s a simple, clean style that is a perfect choice for business casual. The band collar still looks dressy without looking stiff. Band collars give off a modern look, and look great when worn under blazers.
Can a man 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.
Do you have to wear a tie for business casual?
Business casual is typically defined as no jeans, no shorts, no short dresses or skirts for women, optional ties for men, and a rotation of button-downs or blouses.
Today, the button-down style can even be worn with casual suits. The most traditional choice, the forward point collar has fallen out of favor with some for its inability to be worn without a tie. (The flaps will become unruly.) A smaller opening between collar flaps allows for more tie knot variety.
Is a dress shirt business casual?
Appropriate business casual dress typically includes slacks or khakis, dress shirt or blouse, open-collar or polo shirt, optional tie or seasonal sport coat, a dress or skirt at knee-length or below, a tailored blazer, knit shirt or sweater, and loafers or dress shoes that cover all or most of the foot.
In most situations, this makes a suit look better on a man. A buttoned suit when standing cuts a cleaner silhouette. Prevent the buttons from popping. When seated, unbuttoning allows you to sit more comfortable, prevents wrinkles and keeps the buttons from popping.
Loosen up, guys. It’s a well-documented style rule that men should never button the second button of a two-button suit jacket. It’s considered appropriate to button the top one when standing, sure, but never the second.
What other colours can it be worn with and the ultimate style question is can you wear navy and black together? The answer is YES! It has long been considered a winning colour formula, dark navy and black and both from the same colour category (Winter), so sit tonal well together.
Back in the day, wearing a navy suit with black shoes was viewed as a clash in both color and formality, as black shoes were more for formal and “black tie” events. But lucky for us living in 2014, designers from Calvin Klein to Ovadia & Sons have been breaking this rule for years now.
While polo shirts do have three buttons, it is advised to not button fully to the top or leave all the buttons undone. Think about buttoning your polo with a happy medium in mind and leave one or two open. And finally, popping the collar is currently not a trend.