Button up shirt: A shirt that fastens in the front with buttons – does not have to have buttons on the collar. Button down shirt: A shirt with a collar that fastens in place with buttons.
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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. Simple!
In the 1860s, British polo players had difficulty preventing their shirt collars from flying up into their faces as they rode their horses, so they added these buttons on the collar to help them play better. Thus began the “polo collar shirts” a.k.a. the button-down shirt style.
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.
What is the meaning of Button up?
Definition of button up
transitive verb. 1 : to close tightly and securely a tank buttoned up and ready for action. 2 : to carry to completion button up an order or assignment. 3 : to bring to complete and final decision or irrevocable settlement.
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.
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.
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 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.
The Differences Between a Polo and Button-Down Shirt
Button-down shirts are often considered to be more formal than polo shirts, especially when dressed up with a tie and blazer, but this style can also be made more casual by wearing it without a tie, with the top two buttons loosened and the sleeves rolled up.
A polo shirt is a classic combination of the timeless button-up oxford dress shirt and the much more casual T-shirt. Polo shirts typically feature a collar and placket with a few buttons and are made with a knitted cotton known as piqué.
They’re the most common types of shirts that you most likely purchase for work and find in your closet. A button up shirt is exactly what it sound like: these shirts have buttons placed all the way up to the front, right up to your neck.
(of a shirt collar) having buttonholes so it can be buttoned to the body of the shirt.
What is another word for buttoned up?
| shut up | stopped talking |
|---|---|
| hushed | zipped one’s lip |
| kept silent | fell silent |
| stayed quiet | fallen silent |
| buttoned your lip | buttoned it |
To seal off
He needs to button up. (US, military, slang, transitive, ergative) To seal off (a military vehicle or facility). quotations ▼
What is the term bottoms up mean?
Definition of bottoms up
informal. —used as a toast or to tell people to finish their drinks Here’s to the groom-to-be! Bottoms up!
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.
As a versatile piece you can dress up or down, the shirtdress is a wardrobe staple.
How to Wear a Shirtdress: 5 Daytime Looks
- Opt for leggings or tights in winter.
- Pair with white sneakers.
- Style as a cover-up.
- Throw on a blazer.
- Wear as an open layer.
Which type of shirt is best?
Oxford Cloth Button-Down Shirt
You can rarely go wrong with these classic types of shirts. Made with a kind of basketweave fabric, the oxford cloth is thicker than a formal shirt. An Oxford button-down shirt is a must in your wardrobe as it is a perfect balance between casual and smart.
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)
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.