Button Up vs. Button Down: What's the Difference and When to Wear Each

The difference between a button-up and a button-down shirt can be extremely confusing.

To keep things simple, remember this :

The main difference between a button-down and a button-up shirt is the collar. A button-down shirt has small buttons on the collar to keep it in place, while a button-up shirt has no buttons on the collar. Button-down shirts are more casual and button-up shirts are typically dressier.

 Now, if you'd like to discover more about the differences between the shirts and the different ways you can wear them, we suggest you keep reading. Trust us when we say, this will take your fashion game to the next level.

So, buckle up and get ready to learn!

What is a Button-Up Shirt?

A button-up shirt is a dress shirt that buttons down the front, from the collar to the hem. It usually has buttons on the collar as well. Button-up shirts are more formal than button-down shirts and are often worn in professional or dressy settings. They co they tend to come in more sophisticated fabrics and usually disclude patterns.

How to Wear a Button-Up Shirt

1. Pair it with a suit: Button-up shirts are often worn with a suit and tie for formal occasions. Make sure to choose a shirt that complements the color and pattern of your suit.

2. Dress it down: Button-up shirts can also be dressed down by pairing them with chinos or jeans. Leave the top button undone and roll up the sleeves for a more casual look.

3. Layer it up: Button-up shirts can be worn as a layering piece under a sweater or jacket. Make sure to choose a shirt that fits well and is not too bulky.

What is a Button-Down Shirt?

To give you a direct answer, a button-down shirt is a type of dress shirt that has buttons on the collar points to fasten them to the shirt.  The term "button-down" refers to the buttons on the collar, as opposed to the buttons that fasten the front of the shirt. Button-down shirts are generally more casual than button-up shirts and are often worn in more relaxed or informal settings. 

In fact, it was the polo players who introduced the button-down shirt back in the 19th century.  Polo players had to constantly put up with the frustration of running around with a polo shirt with a  flapping collar, resulting in vision impairment. However, they finally put a stop to this, by fastening their collars down with buttons.

John E. Brooks became fascinated with the idea of the button-down shirt and decided to turn it into a fashion item. After attending a polo match in England, he returned to his American company and promptly began producing shirts with a similar collar style, which were initially called polo collar shirts. Initially, button-down shirts were most popular among sports players because the collars remained in place while they were active. This was the same reason polo players were drawn to them. However, the button-down shirt soon gained popularity in the fashion world and has since become a very common item that we see today. The shirts are usually made of more casual fabrics like cotton or flannel and are available in a wide range of styles and patterns. Whether you're going for a casual look or dressing up for a semi-formal event, a button-down shirt is a good fit.

How to Wear a Button-Down Shirt

Button-down shirts are more casual and can be worn in a variety of ways. Here are a few tips on how to style a button-down shirt:

1. Go for a classic look: Pair a button-down shirt with khaki pants or jeans for a classic, casual look.

2. Layer it up: Button-down shirts can be worn as a layering piece under a sweater or jacket. Make sure to choose a shirt that is not too bulky.

Button-Up Vs Button-Down: Which One Should You Choose?

Now that you know the key differences between a button-up and a button-down shirt, you may wonder which one to choose. That all depends on the occasion, the dress code, and your personal style. If you're attending a formal event, a button-up shirt is a safe choice, especially if you pair it with a tie and dress pants. If you want a shirt for casual or weekend wear, a button-down shirt is a good option, especially if you pair it with jeans or chinos.

In general, you can never go wrong with a classic white or light blue button-up shirt, as it is a timeless piece that matches any outfit. However, if you want to experiment with colors and patterns, you can try a button-up shirt with a subtle stripe, check, or floral print. Just make sure the pattern is not too bold or distracting, as it may take away from the overall look.

So, there you have it! The difference between a button up and a button down is all in the collar. Moreover,  a button up is your classic dress shirt that's perfect for those fancy occasions, while a button-down is a more casual shirt that you can wear just about anywhere.

Whether you prefer to keep it buttoned up or let it hang loose, it's always good to know the difference between these two styles.

Next time you're shopping for a new shirt, make sure to keep this in mind and choose the style that's right for you.