News

Jun 09, 2023

The 16 Best White Button

When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more. A white button-down might be the only piece of clothing that you can wear both on a beach and in a boardroom. It's

When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more.

A white button-down might be the only piece of clothing that you can wear both on a beach and in a boardroom. It's the ultimate basic — a piece that has transcended time and gender. And yet, it can be tricky to find the one.

Whether you're shopping for workwear clothes for women, looking to pair the button-down with a great pair of jeans, or are searching for a versatile swimsuit cover-up, we have the best white button-down for you. Here are 16 button-downs for every occasion and how to style them like a pro.

If you're looking to wear your button-down with a blazer or as part of a suit, you should opt for a slightly more tailored fit so that you don't have excess material that could make it look schleppy. A good choice is the Banana Republic Tailor-Fit Easy-Care Shirt.

If you're looking for the perfect summer button-down, opt for materials like linen or poplin that stay cool to the touch and are lightweight like the Everlane Linen Relaxed Shirt.

If you travel a lot, look for fabrics that are treated to resist wrinkles like the LL Bean Wrinkle-Free Pinpoint Oxford Shirt that has rave reviews for delivering on the promise of always-smooth fabric.

If you want to be able to tie your button down, make sure you get an oversized fit like the Aritzia Babaton Essential Poplin Oversized Shirt so that you have enough material, or opt for a button-down with side slits like the Epoque Evolution White Shirt II.

The most classic way to wear a white button-down is tucked in under a suit. Though you can always opt for a traditional look, it would look particularly great under a suit in a statement color, like Suit Shop's Women's Burt Orange Suit.

Read our full review of the best suits for women in 2023 for our top picks.

In the summer, you can pair a white button-down with denim shorts or lightweight, airy pants. It would also look great tied at your waist and paired with a simple skirt like the Quince Washable Silk Skirt. If you wear it unbuttoned, you can use it as a beach coverup over a swimsuit or even keep it in your bag to use as a lightweight jacket when evening cools down.

In the winter, you can tuck the shirt into a pair of classic black pants and pair it with a chic winter coat and leather ankle boots. It would also look great with a pair of jeans and a stylish belt.

Since white tends to be the most see-through color and many of these button-downs are made from lightweight fabrics like cotton, silk, and linen, it's best to wear a nude bra so it doesn't show. See our review of the best bras here. If you want extra coverage, you can also wear a nude camisole underneath.

Sign up for Insider Reviews' weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals.You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here.Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at [email protected].