See that white button-down in your closet? This is one of the most classic and versatile items of clothing that every fashionista should own! It is an excellent piece which can instantly be styled in various ways that you may have never tried – from dress pants to jeans or shorts to any kind of skirt or dress. Although there are a diverse number of ways to go about this item, many people tend to get stuck in the rut of wearing it in a conventional way, such as tucked into a simple pencil skirt. While this is a chic option, this spring, challenge yourself to take your trusty white button-down and wear it in modern, fashionable ways! Here are some inspirational looks to get you started for casual days, evening wear, office attire, and finishing touches!
Casual Cool
Relaxed: aim for a shirtdress – the simple style can become flirty when you add a detailed belt, platforms, and a bright handbag.
Polished: opt for a patterned, structured, sleeveless trench-dress over a classic white-button down or a soft, draped vest paired with slim trousers and a cap-sleeve shirt.
Summertime: for daytime, half-tuck a button-down into a pair of slouchy shorts and cap the look with a straw fedora and colored flat sandals. For a night out, pair the shirt with black leather or suede shorts, embellished flats and bold accessories.
Effortless Evening
Don’t let the word ‘evening’ fool you into sticking with neutral and dark colors! With the proper combination, a white button-down can make a fabulous impression on a night out. Pair a pin-tucked embellished buttoned blouse with a bright skirt and color-block heels. For a pants option, tuck a ruffled tuxedo top into bold wide-leg trousers for a twist on the black-tie favorite. Add a statement belt and bright platforms for maximum impact.
Office Chic
Nothing screams ‘boring’ like pairing a simple white button-down with black pants. To spice up those 9-to-5 outfits, try tucking a white shirt into a high-waisted skirt, and complete the outfit with a fitted cardigan and skinny belt fastened over the sweater. To keep the look even more current, accentuate your waist with a wide belt (when not wearing with a cardigan), roll the cuffs of the shirt, and keep the skirt length slightly above the knee. Don’t forget to accessorize!
The Extra Mile
The easiest and quickest way to instantly transform a white shirt (or anything, for that matter) is with statement-making accessories. A chunky bib-necklace draws attention to your neckline, while stacks of bangles accessorize wrists left bare by rolled cuffs.
Spring is slowly catching up on us, so ladies, create a fresh start by grabbing one of your favorite white button-down shirts and styling it in one (or all!) of these chic ways! For more white button-down tips, head to College Fashion and check out more of what Chelsea has to say.
94 Responses
incredibly insightful post! I especially love the the way you color-blocked with a crisp white shirt, for an evening night out! I would’ve never thought of that… I can’t wait to try these new styles:), thank you!!
Love the “polished” look!
i love these colors! especially in effortless evening. everything looks so crisp. love love love the colorblock heels
Ah, the white button down; just timeless. Always love seeing the many versatile ways to wear it. <3
Your title captured my attention instantly! I love the effortless look. I do have a plain white button down shirt and I would love to pair it with the pants that you used in that category. Where did you get the pants from??
I love the way the button down put together with many colors,you give the day and evening and office look such a crisp look…beautiful..!!!
I love the setups! as a gay woman in a straight mans body, I think the shirtdress is a crucial piece for the modern woman. keep up the good work and I’ll be watching for you in esquire!
Super stylish, I love it!
Never realized how many different ways you can wear a plain white button down ! Thanks for the ideas and love the way the outfits are put together. Great job !!
Sweet! Love the polished and summertime looks
So glad you like it Bayan The saffron wide leg pants are by Etro, and can be found here I love this silhouette – very ladylike but the color and flare adds a modern and intense vibe!
I’m loving the effortless evening outfit. It makes me feel like it’s okay to wear a button down for a night on the town 🙂
nice thinking, I’ll have to try some of these out for sure!
Lovely! I never knew there were so many ways to wear a white button down shirt. This was incredibly insightful, and now I’m excited to wear it in different ways. 🙂
Thanks!
I absolutely love these looks! You picked some great colors and accessories.
Love the red skirt and pumps! Hot look for the summer.
Great post! I need that white button down shirt dress! I love your styling Donna. Wish you could dress me every day.
Love the looks!
The Marc Jacobs coral purse is amazing!!
I love the daytime look the best! the colors are perfect.
This is great! I love the shirt with the red skirt. The colorblock heels are amazing
I love your ideas!! I didn’t realize how stylish my plain white shirt could be 🙂 I can’t wait to try one of these looks this spring!
Love the designs!! Fabulous looks for day and night!
Heyyy, I happen to like my white button down and pencil skirts 😉
But in all seriousness, I really like the suggestions you put forth. It’s very helpful to see someone lay out outfits because sometimes cute combos just do not occur to me. It’s also great when you’re in a hurry to pick a cute outfit out and already have some ideas to run with from other people’s ensembles. I especially like the pumps/shoes you have chosen for the clothes. They’re very chic but the colors are funky enough that it makes them really fun and versatile.
Great job!
Thank you Donna for getting back to me, I clicked the link that you sent me, they are quit pricey ($1000)… do you know where I can get a more affordable alternative with the same look and feel??
Wonderful! And very helpful! I work in a office building where everything is very droll and I never know what to wear that is chic that won’t get me in trouble. =)
I really like the casual cool looks. >w<
Wow so refreshing!!! Can’t wait to try these ideas!!
Finally, something to do with my white button down! Thank you!!!!!!!!
I love the office look!!!
I love your ideas! My favorite has to be the casual look pairing the button down with slouchy shorts and cute flats!
Love the ideas and reminders of the white shrit. Nice post. You are amazing. XO
I love this entry so much! It’s a great idea~!
I’m literally in love with the casual daytime look, it’s endearing! Will hurry up and go purchase something like that soon.
I love these ideas! So excited to try them 🙂
LOVE the Daytime look!!! I’m on a mission to find those Lanvin Metalized shorts or some similar…for a lower price, of course. A lot lower. Any suggestions/ recommendations???
Thanks!!
I am absolutely in love with how colorful and classy your evening look is! this whole article was so helpful to me! The office look definitely inspired me to spice up my work attire a little more!
I love this article… Obsessed with the coral skirt!
I’m super excited to try all these looks! Your ideas are very inspiring
Omg I am so obsessed with your casual looks! I’m so excited to try these out! This article has given me so many helpful hints that I can use to play around with my wardrobe some more! :]
This post is so helpful, thanks for the insight!
I like these looks a lot!!!
i’m a fan of the office chic, esepcially those shoes omg!
If I was richer… I would buy all those outfits like right now.
If I was richer… I would buy all those outfits like right now..
I think this was a well written article, it covers a lot of themes 😉 looking forward to trying out the different combos!
The brown pants short dress white type is like exactly what I would wear! It’s a god send to make your legs look longer.
DAYTIME LOOK IS SO CUTE!!!!
^ Ditto. That fedora is ridiculously cute too, I’d love to see that outfit on a real person.
I’ve always been more a sneakers kind of girl, but I think I’d be willing to try flats with those outfits.
I always love your posts! I was following your blog too, your writing always makes me smile!
Sort and sweet! Thanks for this helpful article. 😀
Very trendy. Love it.
I wish I could have them all…………
thank goodness for this article! It really breaks it down for me, especially giving details like how to pair this white button down with color. I’ve always fallen victim to the borrowing white button down with black pants, so this is refreshing!
this is so helpful, thank you.
Love love love this entry! Girl, you’ve got some great style. I can’t wait to try these ideas out! Glad I didn’t give my white shirt away yet!
very lovely 🙂
Love it, these are all so cute!
These are fantastic! Such a unique way to spruce up a white top. I especially love the ‘Effortless Evening’ one (cute names, too!).
very good ideas!
great ideas!
Nice choices, I don’t know much about fashion but I like this.
Great article, keep up the good work!
in the “effortless evening” the jeans are so ridiculously long!! haha just saying 😉
nice post! Definitely going to try out some of these ideas with my button down 🙂
i think i like “office chic” and “casual cool: relaxed” the best 🙂
I love the outfits you put together! Especially the shoes.
My favorite one is the office chic one because I think that’s the one that I can pull off the best.
Really like the Daytime Casual Cool pic. There’s something so cute about a white button-down tucked into a high waisted pant or skirt. So adorable!
I love these ideas!
a great new twist on the same old thing
I’ll definitely have to try some of these!!
Very chic. A look many would be after.
so cute!
great ideas, especially for evening 🙂
I can honestly say that before I saw this, i was having a total fashion meltdown. I feel inspired and refreshed after looking at your fantastic work! Keep it up champ!
i love the casual cool!!
Such a great article! 🙂
Ahh this is fantastic! Can’t wait for spring!
These are all really cute ideas!
Yea, casual cool is the best. 🙂
very pretty..
very professional
good ideas for any time of day
awesome ideas! can u please write more articles like this? i need more ideas!
The hat in casual cool section is so cute but Im not brave enough to wear it!!
I love these so much! They’re absolutely adorable and amazing! Keep up the great work. Seriously. I would love to wear your clothing in the future! 🙂
I love the white ahiet except for the red spaghetti stains I always get on mine! Nice post!
Wow this is perfect I love the evening out options!
Great stuff! Excuse me while I go get rich and famous so I can hire you to be my personal stylist!
this is such a great and insightful post. Not only is it detailed and well written but i will definitely be keeping these tips in mind!
Totally lovin these looks! Who knew a white buttonup could be so versatile?! Maybe I can finally break out of my shell of sticking to just the neutrals for work and evening-wear after reading this! :]
This is such a great how-to, especially for the Spring! As an almost college graduate, these are really helpful tips for me to get into the business world, looking chic! Thanks so much – can’t wait to see more posts like this!
Such creative ideas! Can’t wait to wear my white button down in a new way
DONNA D
SUCH a helpful post thanks so much!
Its hard to figure out what to wear to post work but this shows me how I can take my white shirt that I wear to work at Popeyes..and can deck it out for the night out in greek town..thx a bunch! Now I just have to figure out how to get rid of the fried chicken smell!