Easy ways to create a button-down shirt

Why do I think this is the best button down shirt? The main reason is its versatility. I’ve never been a huge fan of slim fit shirts – it’s a personal preference because I really hate it when shirts with sleeves are too close to my body (I have sensory processing disorder). So I usually tend to buy the largest sized pieces. But when it comes to the best? This is it. It’s the perfect choice between shirts. It’s the perfect oversized, but not overly four-square. It’s the perfect shirt.

How to Design a Button Down Shirt
When I say this button down is so versatile, I mean it. I have two solids and a stripe, and I’ve worn all three colors more times than I can count.

I styled this look in 10/10 weather in NYC. I love quality cotton and quality cotton fabrics. linen combo, especially for late summer. I’ll be pressing this button to pair it with mini work dress pants (a similar version is available here for less). It’s one of the easiest looks I’ve ever seen (especially for a blog), yet so sophisticated and put together.

You can also style this shirt in several ways:

With black dress pants (or shorts) – as shown here
With straight leg jeans
With bike shorts
Half-tucked with any jeans
With bottoms
With bottoms + off-the-shoulder sweater
As a layering piece under a sweater
Other button down shirts
You can probably find a shirt with buttons at any retailer you shop at. As I get older, I really want to put quality over price, so I don’t mind spending a little extra on something that I know will sit in my closet for years. Here are some of my picks for under $250 (though most are well below that).