These Are The 5 Best White Button-Down Shirts Of All Time (And How To Wear Them)
by The Candidly Team
Most of us have one hanging in our closet right now.
But is it…perfect? Do we put it on and feel whole? Do we sigh with relief, knowing we’ve donned our favorite piece of clothing?
The answer for most of us, is no. And we are on a mission to change that.
The white button down shirt is, perhaps, the most important “basic” ever to exist. It’s crisp, it always looks great, and it’s the most versatile piece of clothing on earth.
Exhibit A:
And so. It is essential that each of us own our perfect white button down shirt. And we feel strongly that we have found those 5 perfect WBDs. (And a fun bonus at the end of exactly how to wear them.)
Let’s begin.
1. The Overall Best
J. Crew Garçon Classic Shirt In Cotton Poplin
The fit. The price. The size range. Those cuffs. If everything in our closet was on fire, we’d save this one.
Price: $98
2. The Smartest Splurge
Sold Out NYC The Everything Shirt
When you slide on this shirt, you just sort of know it’s luxurious. It really redefines crisp, and it has some extra length so it’s perfect for wearing over leggings.
Price: $195
3. The Wild Card
Splendid Kit Gauze Button Down Shirt
Not exactly what you think of when you picture a white button down, but we had to include it because it’s so gauzy and airy, but it’s a staple we can turn to every season.
Use the code CANDIDLY20 for 20% off.
Price: $103
4. The Most Popular One For A Reason
The only true Oxford cotton in the bunch. This one fits very true to size and just feels absolutely classic. Not a ton of extra length so if you’re a tucking kind of gal, this one’s ideal so you don’t have a bunch of bulk.
Price: $135
5. The best oversized
Anthropologie The Bennet Buttondown Shirt by Maeve
We saved the most magical one for last. It runs huge (size down one size) but it also has an extra long tail, so if you tuck or tie the front, the tail is meant to hang out giving you some rump coverage. It washes beautifully and easily, comes in gorgeous other colors, and we’ve written about it a TON.
Price: $98
BONUS: HOW TO WEAR IT
We know. You’re like, uhhh, I know how to wear a button-down shirt, THANKS. But sometimes we just get sick of the same boring thing. So here’s one of our own, displaying #2 on the list in some semi-less-boring outfits that might just give you some new ideas.
1. The Period Days
Sometimes giant, baggy things are all that make sense when we’re bloated and crampy. And a fanny pack gives some shape while also letting us feel covered. It’s one of our favorite hacks.
SHOP THE LOOK
SHIRT | SIMILAR PANTS | FANNY | SNEAKS
3. The Classic Tuck
Welp. It’s just tucked. You didn’t need to be told this. However, a crisp, tucked, white shirt paired with flared jeans specifically is somehow the best, most classic outfit of all time. We tend to forget how perfect it is. And it’s always the right choice.
3. The Layered Look
Such a great reminder that even though all this outfit is is a button down, a sweatshirt, and jeans, if you just style it right, it’s all cute.
SHOP THE LOOK
SHIRT | JEANS | SWEATSHIRT | SHOES | BAG
5. The Youthy Tie
We are so partial to this look because it removes the whole retucking process when the tuck inevitably comes undone throughout the day and we become apoplectic after the 4th retuck. AND it gives more of a nipping shape to the waist AND if you don’t like to reveal your midriff you can just tie the knot down further on the shirt for coverage, while looking terribly cute.
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
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