The 19 White Button-Downs You’ll Reach For Over And Over Again

Best Overall

AYR The Deep End Shirt

View On Ayr.com $135

AYR's The Deep End Shirt easily ranked as our favorite on this list simply for its construction. You'll never have to worry about it losing its shape (even with it being made from 100 percent cotton), regardless of how many times you wash it because it was designed to be non-stretch. Thanks to its slightly loose, yet still structured fit, the shirt lends itself to several ways to style, from tucked into black work pants to thrown casually on with a pair of jeans. Even down to the buttons down the front and at the cuffs, the shirt caters to having a crisp look throughout, never looking ill-fitting on the user. Reviews say the quality is worth the high price tag, but it does run slightly large, so consider sizing down if you prefer a more fitted appearance.

Size: XS–XL | Material: Oxford cotton | Care: Machine wash, tumble dry low

Best Silk

Numi The Simone Button-Up Blouse

View On Wearnumi.com

If you're anything like us, wearing white gives you anxiety — every meal or lipstick application feels risky and has you triple-checking your shirt for stains. Even without a clumsy spill, white tops can show those pesky pit stains over time. That's why Numi's silk shirt is a game changer. Made from a blend of sustainable silk and acetate, the Simone is bluesign-certified stain-repellent and no match for stains of any kind.

InStyle Senior Commerce Writer Eva Thomas tried the shirt after seeing Kelly Ripa constantly wear it on TV. Wearing it over a four-course dinner and two glasses of wine, she didn't end up with a single stain. Thomas also noticed that the shirt didn't cause her excessive sweating as some other silk tops can do. Add in the fact that the shirt is machine washable, and it's safe to say this top will save you time, money, and stress.

Size: XS–XL | Material: Acetate, silk | Care: Machine wash

Best for Work

M.M. LaFleur The Lagarde Shirt

View On Mmlafleur.com $225

The Lagarde Shirt stood out for its innovative design details made to withstand the plights of an eight-hour workday — wrinkles, odors, and buttons that pop open. That’s because it’s treated with Polygiene, an anti-odor finish, and the polyester fabric is more wrinkle-resistant, moisture-wicking, and impervious to shrinking than cotton. Plus, reviewers say it feels luxuriously soft and boasts a good weight (basically, it's not see-through). The extra button at the chest prevents gaping, while the hidden button on the wrist makes cuffing the sleeve easier on hot days when you want to roll them up. It offers a streamlined look thanks to its tailored fit and no-pocket design. Sure, it's a little pricey, but considering how easy it is to care for and how long it will last, it's worth the investment in our opinion.

Size: 00–18 | Material: Polyester | Care: Machine wash, hang dry

Best Value

Uniqlo Rayon Long-Sleeve Blouse

View On Uniqlo.com

As this roundup’s co-author Emily Cieslak prepared for her first job just after graduating college, she stocked up on a few of these blouses from Uniqlo after trying the short-sleeved version during a previous internship. She wanted a versatile, professional-looking shirt she could easily care for without breaking the bank. This blouse fits the bill to a T. It has a Goldilocks fit: not too tight or too oversized. The slim fit worked best for my petite frame because she could tuck it into bottoms without fabric bunching up around my waist.

Even after being tucked in for eight hours at the office, the shirt never wrinkled. The lightweight fabric feels comfortable during sweltering summer days. Best of all, it's durable — the shirt looks just as good three years later as it did the day she bought it.

Size: XXS–XXL | Material: Rayon, polyester | Care: Machine wash

Best Poplin

Madewell Poplin Tuxedo Shirt

View On Madewell.com

When the occasion calls for dressing up, break away from your usual button-down and go for a tuxedo-style shirt with unique pleating details. Madewell’s take has a relaxed fit but a formal touch, striking the perfect balance for fancy occasions or adding a little elegance to a pair of jeans. Lightweight cotton poplin is breathable and soft, but it’s also slightly sheer, so layer accordingly. You can let your bra peek through or add a tank underneath. Expect a slightly oversized fit, but it still won’t appear baggy.

Size: XXS–XXL | Material: Cotton | Care: Machine wash

Best Structured

Beninos Women's Formal Work Wear Shirt

View On Amazon $20

In formal office settings, a button-down worn under a fitted blazer may be the usual uniform. If that’s true for you, you need a fitted shirt that won’t bag or gape under tailored outerwear. We love the crisp look of this fitted button-down, complete with sharp collars and fitted arms. Reviewers note that the shirt is great for formal occasions and work uniforms alike. Despite its formal look, it's also worth noting that this shirt is machine washable, the durable fabric can also hold up to ironing to ensure a crisp fit.

Size: XS–XL | Material: Cotton, polyester | Care: Machine wash

Best Oversized

Banana Republic Oversized Poplin Shirt

View On Gap.com

For your next oversized button-down, choose cotton. “The best fabric would be cotton because it's breathable, lightweight, versatile, and easy to layer with,” says Joanna Angeles, a stylist in Los Angeles. “It doesn't wrinkle as easily as linen and doesn't retain heat like polyester fabrics.” When searching for oversized shirts, this one from Banana Republic caught our eye because of the material and strategic design. The dropped shoulders offer that perfectly slouchy look without drowning your body in fabric. High slits on the sides make it easier to tuck the shirt into high-waisted bottoms, which can be extra challenging when dealing with a baggy fit, especially when in the petite size. But to ensure the shirt fits well on everyone, the top comes in both petite and tall sizes to help you find your perfect fit.

Size: XXS–XXL, tall and petite available | Material: Cotton | Care: Machine wash

Best Customizable

Misha Nonoo Husband Shirt

View On Mishanonoo.com

As a wardrobe stylist in New York City, Beverly Osemwenkhae recommends the Husband Shirt from Misha Nonoo to her clients and owns a few herself. “I just love the cut,” says Osemwenkhae. “Most husband shirts can be a little too oversized, but this cut just has a great balance of looking relaxed but also structured.” Part of that juxtaposition comes from the elongated sleeves that add a touch of flair (but they can be cuffed if that's more your style). Instead of buttons, you’ll find tuxedo-style studs in the metal of your choosing. You can further customize the shirt by choosing the fabric (cotton poplin, voile, or linen) and adding a personalized monogram for an extra $25.

Size: XXS–4XL | Material: Cotton poplin, viole, or linen | Care: Hand or machine wash cold with like colors; hang or lay flat to dry

Best Fitted

Rochelle Behrens The Icon Shirt

View On The-shirt.com

Cieslak first learned about this piece about a decade ago when The Shirt founder Rochelle Behrens launched it as a then-novel idea: a button-down that doesn't accidentally show your cleavage, especially on a fitted shirt. “I have a small chest, but even I had a button pop open. Now that I have a big girl job, I'm considering taking the plunge and buying it,” she says.

While M.M. LaFleur's Lagarde Shirt has an extra button to prevent gaping, this style features a second, internal placket of buttons to stop gaping and puckering all along the chest. It's also made from cotton, which you may prefer over polyester for the fabric's breathability and crisp look. Still, you get some stretch thanks to a touch of nylon and spandex. And if you don't want your bra peeping through, customers say the fabric isn't see-through. It looks less silky and doesn't have the same odor-resistant technology, but at less than half the cost of the Lagarde Shirt, we think this design is a worthy contender.

Size: XXS–XXL | Material: Cotton, nylon, spandex | Care: Machine wash

Best Cropped

Everlane The Way-Short Shirt

View On Everlane.com $88

Whether you are petite like me and like to wear cropped shirts to create the illusion of longer legs or simply just appreciate Hailey Bieber's style, the Way Short Shirt from Everlane might work for you. You still get the essential details of a button-down, like the pointed collar and patch pocket, yet in a shorter, modern fit. With its boxy fit, the shirt makes for a great layering piece, too, as a shacket over a tank top or a dress. If you’re looking for something beyond plain white, the style comes in two white stripe iterations as well.

Size: XXS–XL | Material: Cotton | Care: Machine wash

Best Plus-Size

Universal Standard Elbe Stretch Poplin Shirt

View On Universalstandard.com

Buying a white button-down that fits properly when you are plus-sized can be extremely challenging, according to plus-size model and actress Kelsie Nick. “Finding one that fits both the bust and waist without looking like a box is like finding the holy grail,” says Nick. For anyone struggling with the same problem, she recommends this shirt from Universal Standard. The fit skims your body, while the curved hem draws your eyes upwards and elongates your body. “I love this shirt for the extra snaps ensuring there's no gaping,” says Nick. “[Universal Standard’s] sizing guide is unlike any others. They've taken the true bell curve of women's fashion making their size medium a size 18.”

Extending from sizes 00 to 40, the size range is impressively inclusive and the site clearly explains how to find your correct size in case you're unsure. Compared to the other shirts on this list that prevent buttons from gaping by adding more buttons or a second placket, this design uses hidden snaps between the buttons. It's also the only style that offers a half-placket version: If you don't want to button your shirt all the way down or like the tunic look from a half-placket, check it out.

Size: 00–40 | Material: Cotton, elastane | Care: Machine wash

Best Tuxedo

J.Crew Thomas Mason Tuxedo Shirt

View On Jcrew.com

Want to make a button-down more fun? Add ruffles like Katie Holmes. Though stemming from the traditional tuxedo shirt, when added t0 womenswear, ruffles give a feminine flair. This shirt also has impressive details like refined topstitching, interior chambray piping, and menswear-inspired pintucks. The cotton comes from Thomas Mason, one of Europe's oldest mills. With a slim fit, this shirt can be tucked into any bottom or worn out like Holmes.

Size: 00-10 | Material: Cotton | Care: Machine wash

Best Stretchy

Reformation Will Oversize Shirt

View On Reformation $128

Whether you are commuting to the office on sweltering hot days or prefer a button-down as your go-to beach cover-up, the lightweight fabric will keep you cool thanks to how breathable and airy it is. The shirt is made from cotton and spandex, with a relaxed and stretchy fit. It will easily be a staple year-round because of its versatility. Wear it open with your favorite tank or closed to wear on its own — you can even toss it over the shoulders or underneath a sweater vest to fit the preppy dress code. Basically, the possibilities are endless with this one.

Size: XS–XL | Material: Cotton, spandex | Care: Wash cold, dry flat

Best On Amazon

Amazon Essentials Women's Long-Sleeve Button-Down Poplin Shirt

View On Amazon $26

Leave it to Amazon for all your everyday essentials, including this 100 percent cotton button-up. Described as a “close but comfortable fit,” the shirt appears tailored, giving you that work-appropriate look, but it won't inhibit your movement. Because of the cotton fabric, the shirt has a lived-in texture, and only gets more soft and durable over time (reviews say that it doesn't shrink, might we add). We also love that it has nearly invisible buttons, both along the middle and at the cuff, for a crisp look. Some do complain, though, that the fabric is not as thick as they would have liked, and the sleeves hang a little long. (Luckily, we love the appearance of rolled-up sleeves, especially in casual circumstances, which might solve the problem in the interim.)

Size: XS–XXL | Material: Cotton | Care: Machine wash

Best for Large Busts

Djerf Avenue Breezy Shirt

View On Djerfavenue.com

Inspired by Scandinavian fashion, Djerf Avenue emulates the less-is-more approach. Think chic minimalism: all the basics, including neutrals, oversized styles, and tailored garments, you need for a capsule wardrobe. When it comes to building a Scandinavian-inspired closet, a solid button-up is a must. Djerf Avenue's version is light and easy just as it says in its name, and has a slightly oversized fit. Because of this, the blouse has enough flounce that those with larger busts won't have to worry about unwanted gaps at the buttons. One of our writers, Madison San Miguel, has a 36D chest and confirms the shirt fits comfortably around this area. “I tend to avoid button-up tops because they often reveal my bra at certain angles,” she says. “This top is the only button-up that hasn't caused that issue for me.” San Miguel also suggests sticking with your original size or sizing up for a more oversized fit.

Size: XXS–3XL | Material: 100% organic cotton | Care: Machine wash; do not tumble dry

Best Short-Sleeved

Sunnow Short Sleeve Button-Down

View On Amazon $20

If you're not into long sleeves, consider a white button-up with short sleeves. Effortless and simple, this shirt has a fitted silhouette that is meant to hug the body. You can button it to the top or halfway for a V-neck shape. We also recommend wearing it with a pair of blue jeans or black trousers. But it is important to note that according to reviewers the shirt can run a bit large and the material can appear sheer, so you might want to consider wearing a white or nude garment underneath because your bra will be visible.

Size: XXS–3XL | Material: Cotton, polyester | Care: Hand wash or dry clean

Best Splurge

Chava Studio Relaxed Button Down

View On Chavastudio.com

Hailing from Mexico City, Chava Studio is a brand that utilizes high-quality fabrics and small-batch production to create high-quality shirts that you’ll hold onto for years to come. We love that in addition to traditional sizing, you can also choose to have a shirt custom-made to your measurements. If there’s one way to ensure the perfect fit, that’s it. This relaxed button-down has a small collar and luxe mother-of-pearl buttons. It has a slightly long hem in the back for easy tucking and styling.

Size: S–L | Material: Cotton | Care: Hand wash

Best Embellished

Zara Poplin Shirt

View On Zara.com

A recommendation of Evans, Zara’s cotton poplin shirts are a go-to for casual and dressy occasions alike. The lightweight cotton poplin fabric gets a celebratory upgrade with painterly metallic detailing throughout the entire shirt. It’s breathable, meaning you don't have to worry about sweat stains when you layer it under a sweater. Leave the asymmetric hem untucked over a mini skirt for a playful party look, or try styling with a black tie and jacket for a sleek androgynous outfit. With the holiday season quickly approaching, this shirt offers the perfect minimalist yet festive piece. Plus, at under $50, it’s one of the more affordable options featured on this list.

Size: XS–XXL | Material: Cotton | Care: Machine wash cold