How to Wear a White Button-Down Shirt: 5 Outfit Ideas

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If you have come across a list of staple things to have in your closet, you might have seen the basic white button-down shirt included.

It’s not often you find a piece of clothing that is functional, classic and versatile at the same time. So if you must stash something in your closet and keep it there for a long time, it has to be the basic white button-down shirt.

Taylor Swift, Kim Kardashian, and Nicky Hilton wearing white button-down shirtsTaylor Swift shops for groceries at Bristol Farms on April 3, 2013 / Kim Kardashian
arriving at Stanley’s restaurant in Sherman Oaks to film a segment for ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians’ on April 8, 2011 / Nicky Hilton outside The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf in Beverly Hills on July 15, 2009

It is usually recommended that you wear it for office interviews or similar business occasions. But why stop there?

Spice it up by mixing different pieces in your wardrobe. Let these bloggers guide you into working with your basic white button-down shirt:

1. Go old school with a denim pencil skirt

Denim is easy to wear with a white button down shirt. It doesn’t get any more timeless than this. Aside from your regular denim pants, try denim pencil skirts like Melisa from Melisa Minca.

She looks ready to go to school in this prim and proper outfit meshed with an edgy twist: her jelly shoes!

Melisa wears a denim skirt with a white button-down shirtMelisa wears a denim skirt with a white button-down shirt

2. Style with black pants

Whether you are wearing it for work or for play, black pants work seamlessly. We like Jilly’s high-waisted pants with drawstring details that you can check out at Sorelle in Style.

A bit of a sporty vibe will help lessen the office-like look of this outfit.

Jilly wears high-waisted pants with drawstring detailsJilly wears high-waisted pants with drawstring details

3. Go for a white-on-white silhouette

If you ever get tired of busy prints, try a monochrome look. Alexandra’s outfit is an inspiration. Her fashion blog, Droppstyle, is unfortunately no longer available online.

Wear this with a pair of pumps and a cute lunch bag clutch.

Alexandra wears an all-white outfit with a button-down shirtAlexandra wears an all-white outfit with a button-down shirt

4. Pair with something printed

A pair of printed shorts or a cute printed skirt will give your basic white button-down tee a fresh, summery appeal.

Andrea wore her paisley-printed shorts and kept the look low-key with flat sandals and a shoulder bag. Her excellent blog, Made With Fashion, is no longer available online.

Andrea flaunts her legs in paisley-printed shortsAndrea flaunts her legs in paisley-printed shorts

5. Take a youthful approach with sneakers

We love Jessi’s styling that you can check out at Jess en Vogue. She made her basic button down top look youthful and current by styling it with a mini pencil skirt and sneakers (complete with socks!).

Jessi's mini pencil skirt and basic button downJessi’s mini pencil skirt and basic button down

Button down shirts also look great under a jumper. You can also style them with classic overalls or get a retro look by tying the hem in a knot over your midriff.

Here are some button-down tops that we’re loving right now:

1. J.W. Anderson Classic Logo Shirt, $510.00

J.W. Anderson Classic Logo Shirt

2. Rachel Roy Rachel Shirt, $248.00

Rachel Roy Rachel Shirt

3. James Perse Sheer Slub Panel Shirt, $155.00

James Perse Sheer Slub Panel Shirt

4. Two by Vince Camuto Silk Utility Shirt, $99.00

Two by Vince Camuto Silk Utility Shirt

5. Pink Tartan One Pocket Trompe l’Oleil Shirt, $275.00

Pink Tartan One Pocket Trompe l’Oleil Shirt

Credit: Owen Beiny / WENN / Homero Tercero / Horzon Pics

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