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!
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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.
The standard dress shirt is also a button down shirt with long sleeves, but the collar is a more comfortable turn down style. It is considered a highly versatile fashion staple for modern men. However, the dress shirt was originally designed to be worn for business, as a semi-formal option.
No, just trying to be thorough! OK, we’ll put it as plainly as possible— 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.
Button-down shirts have extra buttons so you can fasten the collar and keep it in place. Take a look at “Modern Family” star Ty Burrell’s collar here. “A button-down is a button-up, but a button-up isn’t necessarily a button-down,” style expert Megan Collins of Style Girlfriend, a website for men’s fashion, explained.
Button-down shirts were referred to as “polo shirts” or having “polo collars” for a long time since the trend started with polo players trying to attach their collars to their shirts during a polo match. No one wants their collar popping up in their face in the middle of a game, and thus the button-down shirt was born.
The definition of button-down is having buttons fastened to the fabric on the collar of a shirt or being conservative or traditional. An example of button-down is the style of many business work shirts. An example of button-down is a person who follows tradition.
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!
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.
What is not considered a shirt?
A shirt technically must be a fully buttoned opening, and can be with or without a collar, while a blouse will never feature a full vertical button up opening. Sleeve length, varied neckline or hem is not what defines or identifies the difference between a shirt and a blouse.
What do you call a formal shirts?
Formal. Formal shirts, or tuxedo shirts, are long sleeve, button-up shirts with a short tipped collar meant to be worn with a bowtie. Often paired with a suit, these are the dressiest of all dress shirts in menswear and rarely worn outside of black-tie galas.
Is a polo considered a collared shirt?
Polo shirts have a fold-down collar and only three buttons in front. They are short-sleeved shirts that are typically made from a breathable fabric such as cotton. Generally designed for more casual occasions, polo shirts may be worn with shorts, jeans, or dress slacks.
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.
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.
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.
Is it OK to wear a polo shirt to an interview?
Both men and women can consider wearing tailored khakis, a nice polo shirt or button-down, and a pair of sensible shoes—but no flip-flops!
Is it OK to tuck in a polo shirt?
Polo shirts:
Polo shirts have an even hem and they can be worn untucked, but for a dressier look, you can tuck in the shirt and make sure to wear an apt belt. This style is especially worn by golfers. You can even leave them untucked for a modern and casual look.
Are polos OK for clubs?
Polos typically have spread or camp collars. Not too impressive really. Wear a decent but comfortable button down with a point collar and you won’t be turned away for you shirt. Also be aware clubs usually don’t like guys in sport shoes either.
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.
Formality of Button Down Collars – Casual Or Formal? The button down collar is casual by nature. If they are paired with a tie, it’s usually worn with a casual suit or blazer/odd trouser combo. It’s rare to see button down collars worn with formal suits, and also a little odd of style.
The narrative of the button-down shirt began during the latter parts of the 19th century, when an American visiting England noticed that British polo players wore shirts with fastened collars to stop them flapping around during play.