How to Style Your Button-Downs
A classic button-down shirt never goes out of style. Style coach Megan LaRussa Chenoweth shares easy ways to wear yours, from light layering to polished tucks and thoughtful accessories. (Plus, a few fun tips and tricks from clever creators on social media!)
Today’s article comes to us from Megan LaRussa Chenoweth, a Southern fashion stylist and style coach passionate about helping women look and feel their best.
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Some wardrobe staples never go out of style. The classic button-down is one of them, and with a few thoughtful styling tweaks, it can feel fresh season after season. When working with my style coaching clients, I love helping them shop their closets to find new life in pieces they already own. If you’re looking to refresh a favorite button-down or add one to your wardrobe, here are a few simple styling ideas, along with some of my favorite shoppable picks.
Editor’s Note: This season, social media is a treasure trove for clever ways to wear your button-downs. Keep scrolling after Megan’s tips for even more fun styling inspiration!
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Wear It Open + Layered
As we start dreaming of cooler temperatures (or maybe just cranking up the AC), a button-down can provide the perfect light layer over a simple tee or tank. The key is to make the tee or tank more tailored and fitted, so the button-down can be left open to look more relaxed.
Try this pairing with a cute button-down and pant set, a great pair of jeans, or even a breezy skirt. Make sure to roll up the sleeves of your button-down to show some arm for an effortless, flattering look.
Accessorize It
When enjoying the ease of a button-down, don’t forget to add finishing touches to pull it all together. A belt, scarf, or sweater tied over the shoulders can add polish and “focal points.” A focal point is something that draws the eye, such as a print, a pop of color, or an interesting accessory. Having two to three focal points helps your outfit feel finished.
Try a Cropped Silhouette
You may have noticed the shrinking lengths of shirts these days. With the popularity of wide and straight-leg jeans, pants, and shorts, shirts have gotten shorter to pair better with these silhouettes. The key is to have the button-down rest at your hip bone so that, when paired with a wider-leg style, it doesn’t get too voluminous.
This does not mean you have to bare your midriff. Style Coaching helps women who don’t enjoy tucking in their shirts to still achieve a flattering look. It’s easy to throw on a shorter-length button-down with your bottom of choice, and out the door you go!
Tie It or Tuck It
For a clean look, don’t hesitate to fully tuck in your button-down. You can add a belt or not, depending on your focal points and overall vibe. My clients often get concerned about showing empty belt loops, but sometimes a clean look is better. With that said, if you love a belt, it can absolutely take an outfit up a notch! For more of my belt-styling tips, click HERE.
If you have a great skirt in your closet but don’t want to fully tuck your top in, a simple tie with your button-down is effective. Focus on a clean square knot that hits at the top of the skirt for a flattering look.
More Ways to Style Your Button-Down
If you like a tailored look, but don’t want to tuck or tie your button-down, try one of these clever techniques.
ADD A BROOCH
Here, @graziaheartsgeorgio demonstrates a simple way to use a brooch to turn your classic button-down into a statement piece.
Same idea here from @jenjackson66, but with a slightly different execution.
Try fastening your brooch in the back, a la @clarehagen.
Or use one to secure your collar, demonstrated here by @emmy.lennon!
HAIR TIE HACK
Don’t have a cute brooch to show off, or trying to avoid another accessory? Use this method demonstrated by @shopatanna.
LESS IS MORE.
And finally, this endlessly chic technique by @simplyeditedtm requires no hardware at all!
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Megan LaRussa Chenoweth
Megan LaRussa Chenoweth of Style Yourself Chic is a Style Coach that loves nothing more than guiding her clients & community to look and feel their best everyday.