I’ve Changed My Mind About White Button Downs

Listen, I can admit when I’m wrong. It doesn’t happen often, but still I can admit it, and friends I was wrong about white button downs. I avoided them like the plague for years, decades even! They just felt so wrong to me, and I couldn’t wrap my brain around why they were on everyone’s wardrobe must have list.

I’ve come to realize my problem is less with white button downs in general, and more with fitted white button downs. A fitted white button down screams “cater waiter”*. A fitted white button down screams “I don’t know what to wear to a job interview”. A fitted white button down screams “I have no idea what to wear for this particular occasion and also know idea what I’m doing with my life and do you ever feel like you’re just swimming in the abyss and could really use a life raft”…I might be projecting on that last one.

I’ve found for me, the sweet spot is a slightly oversized button down. I know, I know, an oversized white button down, groundbreaking. Whereas to me, the fitted option feels somehow both stodgy and immature, oversized is the perfect mix of polished and undone. It gives an air of “I just left my lover’s pied-a-terre and swiped this shirt on the way out”. And who doesn’t want to look like a thief who just railed? Tres Chic!

And just for funsies, here are some of my faves (affordable) market…

Shop White Button Downs

Target $24.99

J.Crew $49

The Gap $47

Old Navy $23

Nordstrom $59

H&M $24.99

*I worked in the service industry for years so I have strong feelings about button downs

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