The Perfect Fit: How to Buy Button-Down Shirts

Nothing looks as sharp as a well-fit button-down shirt on a man. It hugs in just the right places, creating a classy, professional silhouette. 

In contrast, nothing looks as shabby as an oversized button-down shirt. It blouses over at the waist, hangs down your arm, and covers your hands. 

Everyone needs more time or resources to do a professional shirt fitting. So how do you find perfectly fitted button-down shirts online? 

After reading this article, you will understand what qualities to look for in button-down shirts so you can confidently choose your next set of dress clothes. 

What Are Button Down Shirts?

 A button-down shirt refers to a men's dress shirt that you can easily wear both at the office during the day and out on the town in the evening. It features a collar with a full-length opening held together by studs or buttons. 

Historically, men used this shirt as undergarments beneath a jacket or waistcoat. Today, though, men will wear the shirt both under their jacket or on its own. Casual button-down shirts work well with casual pants or even a nice pair of jeans. 

Pay Attention to Fit

The fit of a button-down shirt matters most when you choose button-downs online. Dress shirts and casual shirts should fit differently. 

If you're looking for a dress shirt, look for a tighter fit than what you'd wear in the summer on vacation. It should fit more snugly at the waist and chest. 

When looking for a casual dress shirt, look for something with an extra inch at the waist or chest and an extra half inch at the shoulder. 

You want to make sure your button shirt fits well under your jacket. If you're wearing a too loose shirt, it will not lay properly under a jacket. If you're looking for a shirt for the summer that you'd wear without a jacket, then a looser shirt makes more sense. 

Think About Breathability

The material and fit work together to create a breathable shirt. A looser shirt will certainly prevent hotspots, but the fabric also plays a role. 

A cotton shirt will ultimately provide the most breathable material for a shirt. This will allow you to wear a jacket without worrying about developing pit stains on your shirt. 

A twill shirt is one of the least breathable materials. While it may be made of a cotton blend, the tight weave prevents air from moving through the material. 

Cotton shirts also hang nicely on the body. When the shirt is pressed, it maintains its shape and creates a sharp silhouette. 

Pick the Right Style

The style of your shirt determines its formality. Some shirts have a more casual feel to them than others. 

1) Pockets

Begin with the pockets. A shirt with two pockets in the front has a more military feel to it since the style comes from the military. 

Pockets are functional but also create a more casual look, especially if they are on the sleeve instead of the shirt's chest. 

2) Epaulets

Some dress shirts will have decorations on the shoulder called epaulets. This detail also comes from the military. In the military, the epaulets will hold the details that indicate an officer's rank. 

In the civilian world, epaulets create a casual feel. If you want a classy, dressy shirt, forego the extra details and stick with a simple shirt. 

3) Cuffs

The cuffs of a shirt also indicate the formality of the shirt. Designers create shirt cuffs with a particular style in mind. Some shirts have a design intended for the wearer to roll up the sleeves, while others do not have this design. 

If your button-down shirt has a small strap on the sleeve, the designer intended for the cuffs to be rolled up. You can use this detail if you have it, though. 

If you have muscular and toned arms, then use the strap. If you'd like to keep your arms under wrap, keep the sleeves longer or stop the roll at the elbow. 

Don't roll the sleeves at all if you'd like a completely formal look. 

Sweat the Trouser Details

The shirt you purchase will only look as good as the trousers you pair. So while you're perusing shirt options, look at your trouser collection. 

Trousers vary from fitted flat-front pants to a pleated and more relaxed style. Pick the trousers that best fit the style you want to achieve and your body. 

If you have thick, muscular thighs, perhaps the slim-fit trouser isn't the best option unless you want to show off those quads. 

To keep your trousers and dress shirts in their best shape, make your closet a haven for them. Invest in quality hangers so your clothes can go straight from the closet to your body without needing a good pressing in between. 

Wooden hangers work best to maintain the form of dress shirts. Quality shirt hangers will keep your favorite trousers in their best form. 

Buy and Style With Confidence With Butler Luxury

The right button-down shirts paired with the right pair of trousers will create a confident person. Ultimately, when you look good, you feel good. When you look good, you will own the room with your positive, upbeat attitude. 

High-quality dress clothes will ultimately stay nice when you treat them well using wooden trouser hangers and shirt hangers. 

Are you looking for style advice? Do you want to know what shirt to pair with what pair of pants? 

Visit our blog and then pursue our selection of goods that will help you establish and maintain a purposeful, classy style. 

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