found confusing is the distinction between button down and button up shirts.
For most men, a shirt is just a shirt.
Chances are, you already have button down and button up shirts in your closet. But do you know which is which?
Indeed, the terms button down and button up are often used interchangeably, but this should not be the case. As it turns out, they aren’t actually the same thing, and there’s one significant detail that actually sets them apart.
(Make sure to check our curated lists of the best dress shirts for men and the best men’s linen shirts.)
Why you can trust Luxe Digital? We take menswear shopping seriously. At Luxe Digital, our editors come from diverse backgrounds, bringing a unique blend of expertise from fashion design and retail to personal styling and more.
First, a little terminology
Button up shirts are dress shirts that have full-length button plackets. This means that the buttons run all the way down the front of the shirt, typically from the collar down to the hem. These shirts are versatile and often worn in professional settings.
With the button down shirts, there are buttons on the collar points that fasten down onto the shirt to keep the collar in place. These shirts are often associated with a more relaxed style, making them a popular choice for casual wear.
So, where did the button downs start, anyway?
We can thank 19th-century English polo players for this one.
These players often faced the frustration of collars flapping in the wind during matches, which hindered their vision. So, to do away with this problem, they began attaching buttons to their collars to keep them in place. This practical solution soon caught on, and the button down shirt became a trend in the sporting world.
It was John E. Brooks who popularized the button down shirt as a fashion item. When he attended a polo match in England, he got inspired by the collared shirts worn by the players. He then started producing similar shirts in his American company and called them polo collar shirts.
The differences between button down and button up shirts
In truth, most button-down shirts are technically also button-up shirts, but not not vice versa. Let me talk about the two main differences worth highlighting:
1. Collar
Button down shirts have buttons on the collar points that can fasten down onto the shirt. The term “button down” actually refers to the buttons on the collar. On the contrary, button up shirts do not have these buttons on the collar—the collar line is clean and unrestricted.
2. Formality
In terms of formality, button up shirts are generally considered more formal than button down shirts. The absence of buttons on the collar gives button up shirts a sleek and polished look, making them suitable for professional or dressy occasions.
Button down shirts, with their unique collar design, are by nature more relaxed in style and are often worn in casual or business-casual settings.
When to wear button down vs button up shirts
I understand that this topic can bring a lot of controversy. While the most obvious answer is that button up shirts are a safe choice for formal events and button down shirts are perfect for casual or weekend wear, this isn’t usually the case.
Take my case for instance; I often wear a button up shirt with shorts. It is a little more formal than a polo or a tee, so I do it when I wish to look a little bit smarter.
However, other people may prefer a button-up shirt for more professional or formal occasions, while some may find it restrictive or uncomfortable. All in all, deciding whether to wear a button down or button up shirt depends on the occasion, individual fashion taste, and comfort level.
Frequently asked questions about button down vs button up shirts
If you are going to be in a more relaxed or casual environment, then it is acceptable to wear a button down collar with a suit. However, for formal events or traditional business settings, it is highly recommended to opt for a button-up shirt with a stiffer collar.
Certainly! It’s okay to wear a tie with a button-down shirt, as long as you don’t look too try-hard. When choosing a tie, consider the formality of the occasion and the stiffness of the collar. Softer collars work best with more casual looks, while stiffer collars will easily complement formal attire.
Button-up shirts can be both casual and formal, depending on the styling. For example, a button-up shirt paired with jeans or chinos can create a look suitable for casual occasions. However, when worn with a suit and tie, a button-up shirt exudes formality and elegance.
In a business context, “button-down” refers to a more traditional style of dressing. It is typically associated with a more formal look whereby a person wears a dress shirt, a suit and tie, and polished shoes.
