Where To Buy Button Down Shirts
Let’s talk button-downs! They can be tricky to fit no matter your shape or size. As a curvier, full busted gal myself I LOVE wearing button down shirts so I wanted to share a few tips, tricks and brands at all price points that have worked well for me.
First and foremost, don’t discredit the power of your undergarments! I recently shared on a Fit Tip Tuesday how differently certain bras can look underneath button down shirts. You can re-watch here or see below for a visual. From top to bottom I’m wearing a wire-free bra (which gives me no lift or separation), a padded t-shirt bra (extra padding is pulling shirt wider) and an unlined bra (my favorite) that has more forward projection. You can check out some of my favorite bras and learn more about getting properly fitted here!
The right bra can really make all the difference but for those tricky fits, sometimes I’ll use a little bit of fashion tape for extra security. I like this particular tape because they come in strips that are easy to apply. I’ll also use a safety pin for desperate scenarios where I need to pull out the big guns. Now onto a few of my favorite places to shop button down tops…
J.Crew
If you haven’t shopped J.Crew in awhile, highly recommend checking out their reinvented fits. They have Slim, Classic and Relaxed fits throughout their product assortments that change seasonally. They fit just as they sound, the slim fit is more tailored to the body where the classic is a little more relaxed and the relaxed feels a bit more oversized to me. I have a visual of me wearing the three fits here! The red stripe is classic, denim is slim and white is relaxed. I think J.Crew is the best option for price (shop while on sale), fit and inclusiveness.
SIZING: 00-24 / XXS-3X | I wear 14
MM LAFLEUR
I’m fairly new to the brand but I know they are well known for their classic, versatile and investment workwear. Their price point is a bit higher but they have washable silk options (like the one I’m wearing above) which make for a great investment piece.
SIZING: 00-24 / XXS-3X in some styles | I wear 14 / L / XL
AMAZON: DAILY RITUAL, LARK & RO + AMAZON ESSENTIALS
If you’re looking for more affordable finds, Daily Ritual, Lark & Ro and Amazon Essentials on Amazon are both really good options for casual and work friendly tops. I wouldn’t necessarily call them the a go-to destination for button downs but wanted to include them here for a budget friendly option like this one. Their product assortments are constantly changing so I’d recommend checking back on these links if they don’t have a ton of options.
SIZING: XS-XXL typically (and inconsistently will carry up to 5X) | I wear 14 / XL
SHIRT (EXACT COLORWAY SOLD OUT, SIMILAR HERE) | JEANS (31R) | LOAFERS
GRAYSON
If you’re not familiar with the brand, they are a fairly new (2 years old) and small female owned brand. They created the brand specifically to avoid the dreaded pull in the top of button down shirts. Their price point is a bit higher but their quality is fantastic and I hope they continue to grow and expand their sizing, since I’m the largest they carry.
SIZING: 01-05 (XS-XL) | I wear 05
MADEWELL
Madewell is truly one of my favorites, I wish they kept the same style button down in stock year-round. I’ve re-purchased a few over the years and they hold up really well. I like the side button oversized fits and front tucking them into the front of jeans.
SIZING: XXS-XXL in shirts lately | I wear L or XL, depending on the fit
honorable mentions:
ATHLETA | EVERLANE | LOFT | OLD NAVY | SUMMERSALT | TARGET
Any others I missed? Would love to hear your favorites below. For the most size inclusive option, I’d recommend J.Crew. They seem to be the most consistent with offering their full range of sizes and I think their fit has significantly improved over the years.
shop tops: