One Blue Button Down To Rule Them All

The Complicated Journey of Trying to Find the Perfect Blue Button Down

Images via Pinterest and @emilyschuman instagram and @alyssawasko

After years of being told a white button down is a canon wardrobe essential, blue is suddenly starting to assert her claim. Blue’s a little bit looser and easier to wear in every way, not requiring the same intensity of care as white. She has a versatility that can go from the office to errands to the beach to a night out. Blue’s so ubiquitous this season that I started to wonder whether one blue shirt existed that could truly do it all, and I set out on a quest to find it. This journey took me through 18 shirts, a truly startling credit card balance, and a heretofore unknown Banana Republic Factory Store by Penn Station. My vaguely scientific methodology involved rankings for hand feel, weight, slouch, button placement, and price. My conclusion? There are a lot of great blue button downs on the market right now, but a few are truly spectacular.

Best Overall: Comme Si ($275 on Shopbop (marked down at time of publication to $165 and size L left hurry) and Moda Operandi), $295 on Comme Si)

She is beauty, she is grace, she is $300. Shirt. Pants, Shoes, and Necklace are the same for every photo. This shirt also has a bit of vanity sizing going - I’m in an XS, and I’d recommend sizing down.

A crucial part of my education here was understanding how expensive shirting has gotten and trying to discern whether it makes a difference. Yes, yes it does. The price tag is SO ouch, but this shirt is truly great. The luxeness of the materials involved is notable here and the construction is top notch

Off to work! Shirt, Blazer, Pants, Shoes, Necklace, Bag, Scarf (I thought it would look cute tied around the waist or bag or frankly just draped over shoulders)

If a $300 shirt is not your bag (understandable), the Alex Mill Jo shirt is a VERY GOOD alt at half the price and a great shade of blue that I wholeheartedly endorse.

Still a very nice shirt, but maybe you feel less guilty taking her to the beach or pool? Shirt, Shorts, Bikini top, Bikini bottoms, Sunglasses, Tote Bag, Sunscreen, Flip Flops, Greatest beach hat in the world

Best Oxford Style: Buck Mason ($148) (with honorable mentions for AYR ($165) and Donni ($224 but very sold out))

Top left: Buck Mason, such a nice fit; Top right: Donni, pretty shade of blue; Bottom: AYR, just a great button down with perfect button placement (size S all around)

If you’re looking for a more traditional Oxford style but would like it to be a more comfortable, easy version, Buck Mason’s got your back. It’s kind of like everything Buck Mason does - it just works and has a flair of casual Americana. Great hand feel, great layering potential, great shade of blue. It has a hair of cross hatching so if that’s not your thing, check out AYR (great but slightly heavier) or the Donni which is excellent and a similar weight but has very sadly sold out since the inception of this piece (bring her back Alyssa Wasko Stein!).

This feels like I’m going to your backyard for some spritzes. Shirt, Chain Necklace, Pendant necklace (but I always sort of covet the more expensive version), Watch, Red sandals, Earrings (have heard complaints about Dorsey’s quality but have had this style for years and has held up well for me so idk), Sunglasses, Bag, Skirt

Best Under $100 Option: Old Navy ($18 and $28)

Old Navy classic fit on the L (took a M), Old Navy boyfriend fit on the R (size S)

This was by far the most difficult category to judge and write. I mulled how to phrase this in a way that does not sound completely obvious (i.e. expensive stuff is nice), but materials, construction, and process matter. My pictures may look similar to more expensive options, but the hand feel and draping is vastly different between a $15 shirt and a $300 shirt. If you’re JUST after the vibes, the Old Navy options are great and blow their more expensive under $100 peers out of the water.

World Cup fever for errands! Shirt, Jeans, Very Pretty Vintage Watch, Undo Hair Clip, Sunglasses, Flats, World Cup tote bag

Best Hot Weather Option: Kule ($325)

Kule was honestly so cool (size S). Really liked the Hutton, too, and my friend has had the Quinn for years, said she still looks great.

A few years ago, I went to the U.S. Open, and it was so hot that I thought I might actually perish in Arthur Ashe Stadium. In the aftermath, I wondered: “what could anyone wear in such conditions?” I can’t say it would have definitively saved my life, but this shirt would have looked and felt great in the sweltering conditions. The lightweight fabric is extraordinary as is the drape.

Manifesting some good tickets to the Open with some boyish glam cc Elle Sundberg: Shirt, Tinted Sunscreen, Great Lipgloss (gifted - get sesame, trust me), Purse, Flats, Hat, Sunglasses, Shorts, Vintage Rolex

But never fear, she could roll to work, too and is set to play a crucial part in my summer work commute.

Shirt, Paracord (I’m still really into paracord don’t @me), Longer pendant necklace (really into Chan Luu in this piece, too, not an ad!), Pants, Sunglasses, Sculptural cuff, Earrings, Purse, Ballet Flats

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Thank you so much for reading this exhaustive investigation. I was a little punchy by the end, but I really enjoyed getting to understand the marketplace better to bring you the intel. If you need more blue shirt inspo, go take a peek at my friend Antonia’s piece from Sunday. Have a great week!

Some outtakes from my process.

Each piece was independently and thoughtfully selected. I paid my own money for every shirt included in this roundup. I use affiliate links where appropriate which may result in a small commission (at no cost to you). Thank you for reading through the FTC compliance!