The Hunt: Button-Down Shirts

87 Comments

1. NYC Meet Up this Wednesday (3/27) at 8PM at Grey Dog’s Chelsea. Hope you can make it!

2. Other good ones in the “splurge” category are Facconable and Pink Tartan (a Canadian company but available at Saks). They’re great fitting and unique designs.

   1. I love Facconable, but their shirts tend to run quite short (both in the sleeves and the torso).

3. I love the look of button down shirts, but I am a little busty, and struggle with fit issues. Anyone else have this issue, and have you had better luck with any specific brands?

   1. I’m busty and I’ve had good luck with the jcrew perfect shirt. It’s the only button down I wear on a regular basis. I usually go one size up though to accomodate my bust.

      1. I’ve done this too with the J.Crew shirts, but then the shoulders and arms are always much too big and look silly on me…

   2. I’d like to know this too. I don’t own any right now because I just never wear them since its such a pain to prevent gaping. I’ve been tempted to try the ones like Carissa Rose but haven’t pulled the trigger yet.

   3. There used to be a company that advertised on This Site with button front shirts sold by bra size (or at least, specifically designed for larger chests). I am blanking on the name, but maybe someone else can remember?

      1. Was it Rebecca and Drew?

   4. I will be monitoring this thread for this very issue!

      1. I have not tried these myself yet, but I have heard wonderful things about the shirts at http://www.saintbustier.com for us busty girls. I intend to buy a few before I start working at my firm this August.

   5. I love button downs but struggle with the same busty issue. BiuBiu has a nice inexpensive button down, but it looks rather casual in person with lots of seams and darting. I’m eagerly waiting for my first Rebecca & Drew button down; the sample in their Houston store fit wonderfully.

      1. Yes! The seams on my biu biu top were out of control. Almost felt like it highlighted my bust in a bad way.

   6. Also look at Campbell & Kate. Unlike The Shirt, which only adds an extra hidden button at the bust, Campbell & Kate shirts are actually fitted for an hourglass shape, meaning they have more fabric at the bust and less at the waist, thanks to waist and bust darts.

      Rebecca & Drew is similar except they use princess seams. With princess seams, you need to be sure your bust apex matches the apex of the princess seams. If your bust line falls lower than that, you can end up with a little air pocket of fabric above your apex. If this happens, the trick is to make sure you’re in the most lifting bra possible.

   7. I’ve given up on button down shirts for these very issues re: fit.

      1. Same here – will never wear one again. Silk blouses, yes. Wrap/faux-wrap, yes. Not cotton, not button-down type.

         1. Same here. My problem isn’t just bustiness, it’s that cotton button-down shirts often have wide arms and shoulders, so even if it fits both my bust and waist, the shoulder seams often stick out oddly and the arms just flap around. Silk and polyester blouses are much easier to fit since they’re often supposed to look flow-y.

   8. Thomas Pink makes beautiful shirts with room for curves.

      1. P.S…….there is a Thomas Pink outlet in Orlando. It’s in one of the outlet malls just off I-4 and International Drive.

   9. I had given up on button down shirts until I tried a Brooks Brothers fitted shirt. It fits me perfectly, with no gaping.

   10. for basic, everyday “workhorse” shirts, i’ve had luck with express button-front shirts – they are relatively inexpensive but hold up well. i am a 32DD with a 28″ waist, wear a 4 or 6 in their editor pants depending on the material, and buy the button-down shirts in a M or an 8 – sizing up in the shirts makes them far more office appropriate.

       if you have the means, i’d strongly recommend getting shirts made. i have a few button-fronts that i’ve gotten from my tom james rep – while i don’t think their suits are at all worth the cost, i do think their shirts are. i think they ranged from $125-145 apiece depending on fabric choices and how many you bought at a time.

       1. Another good low-cost option is the JCP Worthington line.
          However, I’m not a giant fan of Tom James shirts for women who are larger in the bust than you, phillygirlruns–unless they’ve continued to improve since I had one made for me in 2011. It didn’t gap at my bust and it fit my shoulders, but the style was pretty boxy because of all the fabric falling from the bust line.

          1. the ones i bought this year have darts in them, which i understand is a pretty new feature for them – i agree, without darts the shirts would be enormous through the waist, which completely negates the point of having a shirt made in the first place…

             1. Glad to hear! Mine had waist darts but not bust darts, and I’d heard they were working to improve their shirts for women.

   11. I just found Thomas Pink fantastic for larger bust sizes! The ones with the stretch material in them.

   12. I found a nordic brand Ella Hopfeldt. They have fitted shirts for larger bust sizes/ broader shoulders. http://ehshirts.com/

4. I do need a good “go-to” brand button-down shirt. I wear suits regularly and I like the classic look (with or without a suit). I have so many but it seems like there’s something about each that I don’t like – some pull across the chest, some of the collars stand too high (and I always get makeup on the collar), some are too stiff and uncomfortable…

5. I’m busty with broad shoulders and a thin torso. I finally caved and bought two custom shirts from Ascot Chang. Best decision I ever made considering I wear a button down at least once a week.

6. Hey Ladies:

   I am on the hunt for a cross-body bag good for my daily commute. I want something with a thick-ish strap, and large enough to fit a notebook/ipad. I’ve been looking at the Marc Jacobs large sasha cross-body and the Tory Burch Amanda bags, which are a little more than I want to spend (around $200). Any suggesstions?

   Thanks!

   1. I’ve been eyeing the Roots leather crossbody bags, I quite like the style and the quality of their leather. There are a bunch of different sizes, and I think one that would fit an ipad for maybe closer to $150?

   2. The Zara Office City Bag isn’t leather, but is great http://www.zara.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/uk/en/zara-neu-S2013/358019/1098567/OFFICE%20CITY%20BAG

      I’m sure it’s available in Zara stores worldwide – it should be, anyway. I use mine as a cross-body bag and it works fine. You could also clip a fatter strap onto it if you wanted.

   3. I’ve been really wanting this cute color-blocked bag in the red/neutral: http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/Womens-Accessories/Bags/AM177/Womens-Colourblock-Bag.html?NavGroupID=1

      1. Thanks! I especially love the Boden bag, in the same color. It looks beautiful and has a ton of good reviews.

         I signed up for the Boden e-mails, and am hoping they send me a thank-you discount. I think every company should do that!

      2. there is free shipping and 20% off at boden until tomorrow if you are still thinking about buying. Use the code DUAF

7. I like the look of button downs but not on me. Something is always off about them. They’re too small for me in the shoulders, too short in the sleeves, there’s gapping between the buttons at my chest (this forever bothers me. I’m a 34C. my chest isnt that big. why is this an issue??), and finally/most importantly, I can’t get these to stay tucked in or look nice unless my pants are too big and then I look like a bag lady who’s pants are too big. Sigh. Last I checked, the Ann Taylor button down had enough room in the chest.

   1. Truth – my issue with button downs besides the gaping is keeping them tucked in to the level that they still look sharp. Also, being a woman with a pretty intense hourglass shape (my waist is inexplicably small while my hips are large and in charge), button-downs never do anything for my figure. Yay for being in technology and never needing to suit up!

   2. Have you tried sizing up from your usual size? I typically wear a larger size in cotton button down shirts than I do in tshirts and silk blouses. As for the staying tucked issue, I usually tuck mine into my underwear and they tend to stay put. You could also try a body suit. Can’t speak to current quality (and I’m normally not a fan of their clothes) but I got some in the past from VS and was very happy. The ones I had were white and blue, so not sure if this is the same, but it’s a good solution for the staying put problem. http://tinyurl.com/afm968h

      1. Yep, I tuck mine into the tops of my pantyhose/tights.

         1. I do the same. Though I still wish my button ups were a few inches longer…

      2. Sizing up isn’t really an option because then everything would be too big on me in the torso. I know I could get it tailored but I don’t want to go through that much effort for something I’m indifferent towards.

         I’ve never seen anyone actually vouch for the body suits. I’ve found them intriguing but haven’t heard any feedback (oh how I wish VS would allowing customer reviews on their website). I’ll have to give them a try.

   3. I don’t generally wear them either – the collar ends up sliding back farther than it’s supposed to. And unless I get a tall size, the body and sleeves are rarely long enough. And there are enough other shirting options for women that I generally don’t sweat it. I’ve just learned not to buy them.

8. For those of you who use heatless curling methods – like velcro rollers or “headband curling,” what styling products do you use?

   I find that whenever I curl my hair it gets really frizzy. I have been using Aussie philosophy mousse, and trying to tame the frizz with some J freida serum, but these products seem to not work very well and/or create ugly white flakes and flake off. Suggestions appreciated! (Ideally drug store brands)

   1. I either “plop” with Aveda “Be Curly” and my own wave spray (10 parts water, 1-2 parts sea salt, .5 part coconut oil, 0.25 part vodka to keep the bacteria away, and a couple drops of essential oil), or do headband curls with no product and add B&B Brilliantine to muss everything up a bit after I take the headband out.

9. One of those days where I just want to give away all my clothes and buy 5 shirts, 5 pants, 5 skirts, and two sets of weekend clothes! Am I the only one who thinks this?

   1. Oh yes, all the time. My closet is a constant work in progress, mostly because it needs to be refined and whittled down.

      1. Have you been successful with the pare down ? I envy the women who can do this. Thr funny thing is I wear the same outfits all the time. I read somewhere that women wear about 30 to 40 percent of their wardrobe. I’m about to just toss everything in a big trash bag, drop it at goodwill and speed away like the langolier is after me!

         1. I’m working on it all the time. Over the past couple of seasons I have been doing my version of Project 333, which is really helping me focus on what I actually need and use. I still have problems getting rid of things, though, because I generally only buy things that are good quality and that I really like. Having said that, though, I’ve gotten rid of bags and bags and stuff, which I find totally embarrassing – and yet I still have too much! I only have one body, and I can only wear one outfit at a time – so my closet should really reflect that reality.

            1. ” I only have one body, and I can only wear one outfit at a time – so my closet should really reflect that reality.”

               So true. I just googled Project 333 and it is very fascinating. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

   2. I just cleaned my closet this weekend, got my pants down to 5 each black, grey, and grown/tan, plus 8 jeans. I think I left about 10 skirts, and decided skirts in colors other than black or grey is definitely a hole in my wardrobe. Shirts/sweaters probably about 30 work appropriate and about the same for casual wear. Plus about 6 suits (I wear them only occasionally) and about 20 dresses, not including the special occasion dresses I have stashed in my 2nd bedroom along with my coats. This was hard enough, I could never do what you are proposing!

      1. Wow, that pruning is quite impressive, Susie! I think your method is more realistic too–and probably means fewer laundry loads per month whereas I would have to wash my 5 shirts every weekend. I got home and attempted to prune starting with skirts but then I went into analysis paralysis picking out the skirts that could be worn year round. Yikes. Not easy.

10. Hi all,

    (Sorry for the repost.) I just received an invitation to join the Beta Gamma Sigma national honor society because of my performance in business school. I gather that this honor society is open to those who graduate in the top 20% of their class. Would this have any meaning to future hiring managers or any other possible benefit? I graduated from college Phi Beta Kappa but don’t know that it really provided any value. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

    1. I was BGS for undergrad (top 7% of third years, 10% of fourth years), and that in particular carries weight with me. For what that’s worth as a data point. I do hire business grads.

    2. I’m curious as to why you wouldn’t join it? Does it cost something? I was Phi Beta Kappa in college & agree it hasn’t really done anything of note other than stand-in as a “got good grades” signpost on a resume for a while, but it was free and hasn’t cost anything since. I’m not aware of anyone viewing it negatively. If you do put it on a resume, it might be worth noting “academic honor society” or something to that effect so people don’t assume it’s a sorority.

11. I love the no-iron shirts, but my problem with so many button-down shirts is that the material I tend to find them in, it makes me sweat like crazy! Grr. I hate having to wash each thing in my closet a different way, but the grossness of button-downs getting all pit-stain-y despite feeling like they’re not absorbing anything — it drives me nuts.

    1. +1. I’m busty, but it’s the sweat stains that are a problem. Do they show on white shirts as much as other colors?

       1. I dunno! I bet they don’t show as badly while you’re wearing them, but I bet over time they get stained permanently. I’ve given up on white shirts, though, but because I’m inept at keeping food off them, and because I work with old things in filthy boxes all day. (Why do I have to dress up?! Bah!)

    2. I think that is due to the chemical that they are treated with to make them non iron.

       1. Curses! Foiled again. :( That makes sense though.

12. I have been buying no-iron button downs from Coldwater Creek. They recently turned over from winter colors to spring, and I need to go pick up a couple to go under the gray & navy suits.

13. Charles Tyrwhitt makes nice shirts as well.

14. I’ve given up on button downs. I used to buy the Brooks Brothers non-iron (regular and fitted cut) then the J. Crew perfect fit (not so much), but under suits they all just look frumpy on me and they are uncomfortable. Add to that the great collar in or out debate, and I’ll go with a nice shell any day.

15. I can’t tell you how timely this post was. I spent part of my weekend scouring the mall for a crisp, white button-down. Unbelievably, they aren’t that common in department stores without some scalloped neck, or buttons that start at the cleavage line. Add the fact that I’m busty on top and smaller on the bottom and I’m usually struggling to find great fitted tops that are still appropriate. Glad to see you round-up some less spendy options – I’ll have to turn my attention online from what I can see!

    1. My problem is they are all sheer. Where can I find a white button down that is not see through??

       1. +1000

16. You all are going to think I’m nuts, but after searching high and low for the perfect white shirt for my short-waisted, big-busted, short-armed figure, I finally found it at Costco, of all places! Kirkland brand, no-iron, cost something like $16.99, washes like a dream. It comes in white and a few pastel-y stripes. I think I’m gonna go back and get a second one for backstock!

    1. Agreed – these are great basics and they have great colors.

17. I am surprised that no one has mentioned custom shirts. I never liked the white button-down, simply because all off-the-rack shirts were a poor fit for my frame. Now I wear one at least two times a week. No gaping at the chest, adjusted collar width to fit the size of my face, slimmed sleeves… And that each shirt only costed me $60? I am addicted.

    1. Where do you get them from, and how long does it take to receive?

18. What makes a shirt no-iron is basically formaldehyde. Which is my lung doctor’s no 1 candidate for developing asthma. So yes, on the whole I iron.

    And busty ladies, a little c*tte search will get you lots of advice from the comments on potential good fit.

    1. Actually the shirts contain a minimal amount that’s often non-detectable, no greater than the amount of formaldehyde in other common household items. Much of the chemical is washed out. FWIW, I am highly allergic to formaldehyde and have never had a reaction from non-iron shirts. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/11/your-money/11wrinkle.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

19. I’m a UK shopper so Charles Tyrwhitt for the win !!! Their 4 for 100 pounds deals are the reason my closet has more shirts than blouses :-D
    I solve the peekaboo problem by sewing on snapbuttons.
    I’m a size 6-8 so for me, CT is the best. Other good options (for UK) are Hobbs and the usual European labels like Zara and H&M.

    1. curious, what’s their sizing, compared to other European brands (Zara, Benetton, Mango, H&M, etc.)?

       1. CT sizes a bit larger/roomier than Zara. So if you’re an XS in Zara (UK) that’s a size 6 for CT. I should ideally get them altered to fit me better around the bust (like Clare Underwood in House of Cards) but for now I solve the loose fit by wearing a more fitted sleeveless sweater on top (keeps me warm as bonus).

          All tailors close by 5 and I’m too lazy to go out on Saturdays :-(

20. I’ve had very good luck with Talbot’s button-up shirts; they’re all made from the same basic pattern, which fits my somewhat curvy, size 12 / 36 C figure really well. I’ve never had a problem with gaps, and they’re nicely tailored to come in at the stomach, so it doesn’t look like I’m wearing a giant box.

21. This is totally off the wall – Victoria’s Secret. They make a great basic white poplin button down with a bit of stretch, and they are bust friendly with waist seaming that helps with fit. I buy them 4 or 6 at a time. Right now they are 2 for $60. I don’t know how I stumbled across them in the first place since I don’t think about VS for clothes (I don’t buy a thing there, truth be told).

    1. Thanks for this tip! Going to take a look at them and spread the word to others I know who are looking for this type of shirt.

22. I seem to be the only one posting from Team A Cup. My fit challenge is that I am tall, slim, and like to tuck button-downs. These shirts always are too wide/boxy and too short. I recently got tall Banana Republic non-iron shirts and they are the best fit I have ever had.

    1. The Express has button downs that are good for our shape. After finding a fantastic burgandy metalic-sheen Express button down at a thrift store when searching for costume components, I fell in love with the fit (and the fact that I don’t have to iron it). They are my go-to button down now.

    2. Ralph Lauren button downs in the slim fit are perfect for that shape

23. Nice post! I am partial to button downs by Theory. I’ve tried so many others, and theirs just seem to fit the best. Plus, the material is like butter!

    Kim

24. My The Shirt arrived today. Perfect fit. I got The Skinny in a L, as I am a 36D. Looks great, I’ll be back for more.

25. Ann Mashburn.
    Naracamicie.
    Liberty of London.

    Charles Tyrwhitt is not such great quality, IRL.

26. One way to solve a gaping problem is to wear a shell or sweater over the button-down, like this:

    http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/skirts/pencil/PRDOVR~21325/21325.jsp

    (although I’d leave the shell untucked), or this:

    http://0.tqn.com/d/jobsearch/1/0/-/U/107217370.jpg

    It works with a cardigan, too, if you don’t mind buttoning up. I find I actually like the layered look on myself better than the button-down alone, even if I have one that fits well with no gaping.

27. Calvin Klein button downs. Expensive-looking, under $60, and I put a safety pin in between two of the buttons to prevent gaping. Boom!

    http://www.calvinklein.com/product/index.jsp?productId=18732706

28. I’ve just started buying Thomas Pink shirts, and they’ve proven very flattering on my 32DDD chest. However, their sizing seems to be really inconsistent – has anyone else found this? I’ve been ebaying them, and about 1/4 is mysteriously larger or smaller by a fair amount. I thought at first that the difference was between the ones labeled 10US/14UK and the 12US/14UK ones, but that hasn’t proven to be the case. I’d love to know if there’s a simple way to tell in advance what cut they are or whatever.

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30. Who has the best STRETCH FITTED button down shirts, a bit longer at the waist with a curved cut at the hem, rather than that ugly straight cutoff…??? I found them on sale in the Kilkenny outlet in Ireland yesterday…. absolutely fantastic! But, I want more and the prices are almost prohibitive (for me anyway)… the ones I bought were 155Euro each, on sale for 25euro!!! I bought all 3 that they had but I want more! Coming back to the U.S. so wondering if anyone knows any other great stretch fitted shirt venues?

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