What does button down shirt mean

An example of button-down is a shirt that one often wears to an interview under a suit jacket. He was dressed in jeans and a casual button-down shirt that was snug across his shoulders and chest and loose over his abdomen. For starters, he left the trademark black mock turtleneck at home, instead donning a black button-down.

All rights reserved. Filters 0. The definition of button-down is having buttons fastened to the fabric on the collar of a shirt or being conservative or traditional. A button-down is defined as a shirt that has a collar fastened to the fabric with buttons.

Shirts have been a staple in my wardrobe since I gave up the dress at age eight. Today I probably wear a button-up shirt five days out of the week and own around forty of them. From oxfords, to flannels, to chambrays, I love them all. I always thought a button-up and button-down shirt were the same thing. I would throw around the terms interchangeably, as I have noticed many others do. But once I got into the shirt business it seemed prudent to do some research and see where the terms came from and how they are defined.

Shirts first appeared in the 17th century where they were worn as undergarments to protect expensive waistcoats and blazers from sweat. The shirt became a mens wardrobe staple in the late 19th century, being worn as a formal garment underneath a suit.

If you have ever seen Downton Abby then you know what I am referring to. Button-up or button-front shirt refers to a garment with a collar and a full-length opening at the front, which is fastened using buttons. All shirts with buttons that close the entire front of the garment are technically button-ups.

But it was not until polo players in 19th century England needed a way to keep their collars from flapping in the wind, was the button-down born. Blog posts at Nimble Made are written to provide value and advice for our readers—any product s we recommend are items readers use and love. They may sound very similar, and some people might even use these terms to mean the same thing.

However, if you know your shirts, there is a clear difference between the two. A button up shirt is exactly what it sound like: these shirts have buttons placed all the way up to the front, right up to your neck.

Banana Republic. A button down shirt is a shirt with buttons on the corners of the collar when you attach them - or a button down collar. Even Polo collar shirts can be considered button downs. Like the button up shirt, you can style these as you want and make it work for casual or more formal events.

It was made official by John E. While the pinning of the collar onto the shirt was a quick do-it-yourself solution for polo players in England, he borrowed the idea and made it popular in the American market.

The shirts became a hit with athletes and were then worn for style, and not only for the polo sport. These were adopted by a specific demographic and were sometimes worn to fit the preppy look. In fact, button down shirts became very popular among Ivy league students and s American president John F.

Kennedy, but eventually became a fashion item worldwide. Here is a list of frequently asked questions that will help you decide which type of shirt to go for:.