Button Up vs Button Down… What’s The Difference?

Think about this. You’re choosing out an outfit for work, and there are two shirts to select from: A blue button-up and a white button-down. At first look, you would possibly assume that there’s no distinction between the 2 clothes in addition to their shade.

Certainly, the phrases button up and button down are sometimes used interchangeably, however they shouldn’t be. 

We’re going to interrupt down the variations between the 2 shirts, so you recognize the place and when to put on one over the opposite!

Button Down or Button Up?

Button ups are shirts that you simply shut up, or undo, utilizing a vertical line of buttons on the entrance of the shirt. They’re essentially the most widespread sort of blouse accessible available on the market. 

In fact, most button-down shirts you encounter are additionally button-up shirts, however not all button-up shirts might be categorized as button downs. This may increasingly sound a bit sophisticated, however don’t fear, the variations are easy: 

A button-up shirt is any shirt with buttons lining the entrance, whereas a button-down shirt has further buttons on the collar, fastening the collar factors down. 

See? Fairly easy. Now, let’s go into better element, so you recognize why we’ve each kinds—and what to do with every.

Going right into a little bit of historical past will assist with this…

A Transient Historical past Of The Button-Down Collar

The button-down shirt dates again to 1869, in England. Whereas charging on their horses, polo gamers would typically get distracted by the collars of their shirts flapping within the wind, obstructing their field of regard.

As an answer to this drawback, they determined to connect buttons to their collars, to carry them down throughout matches. 

After watching a polo match in England, John E. Brooks, of Brooks Brothers, determined that the button-down shirt must be a trend merchandise. Brooks then manufactured the primary ever polo collar shirts. 

Their sporty origins are the rationale why button-downs are thought of extra informal. As we frequently level out right here at EG, the extra particulars on an merchandise of clothes, the much less formal it’s, particularly if these extras are utilitarian. That is the case of the collar buttons on a button-down.

Tips on how to Put on Button Up & Button Down Shirts 

There’s a number of overlap relating to the place and when you may put on these two shirts. Button-down shirts are extra casual, to allow them to be worn with a swimsuit and tie or in additional relaxed settings. 

They will’t, nonetheless, be worn in a proper costume code, reminiscent of with a tuxedo, or in a black tie scenario. Even with cocktail costume codes (a grey space step above semi-formal), it’s most secure to keep away from button-downs.

Pair an open-collar button-down shirt with well-fitting trousers for a sensible, extra snug look which you can put on out to dinner or the workplace on an off-the-cuff Friday.

Take it even additional into informal territory, by sporting your button-down with darkish wash denims, then stability it out with good sneakers and, should you like, a tie.

You might even pair a button-down along with your swim trunks for a day on the seaside.  

Button-up costume shirts are extra upscale, in order that they are applicable for formal occasions, along with good informal conditions. You possibly can pair it with a traditional tie, blazer, and trim trousers, or you may costume it up much more with a swimsuit or tuxedo.

Any manner you fashion it, you’ll look glossy and complicated. You possibly can’t put on a real costume shirt casually although, so don’t pair them untucked with denims and sneakers. It appears sloppy. I imply, on the very least, tuck in your shirt.

In case you’re going for that sports-agent-business-informal aesthetic (say with sneakers and a blazer), go for a button-down or a extra informal button-up, like a linen or workwear-leaning shirt.

Often Requested Questions About Button Ups and Button Downs

How Do Shirt Collars Differ From Every Different? 

Other than button placement, you may inform the distinction between button-up and button-down shirts by the stiffness of the collar. Button-up shirts sometimes have a stiff collar, since historically, you’d put on a tie with it. Button-down collars are extra malleable and relaxed. 

How do I get my collar to face up on my Button-Up Shirt?

Positively use collar stays along with your button-up shirts. Most costume shirt collars have little slits on the underside of the collar factors the place you may insert collar stays. This may assist hold your collar trying crisp. One other factor you may attempt is placket helps. There are some momentary and everlasting options (i.e. you must sew them into your shirt).

Now You Know The Variations Between BUTTON-UP VS BUTTON-DOWN shirts!

One factor we will all agree on is that button-up and button-down shirts are a traditional staple of individuals’s wardrobes. It’s finest to have a minimum of one button-up and one button-down shirt so that you might be prepared for any event.

Bear in mind to contemplate all elements of the outfit you intend to put on, and what colours work finest for the look. 

Now that you simply perceive the variations between the 2 kinds, you may decide the suitable choice to make sure you look your finest!

We hope that was useful! When you have some other fashion questions, be happy to DM us on Instagram!