Button-up Shirt Vs Button-down Shirt – Key Differences [2023]

Expert Opinion By Fashion Writer & Doodler

Button-up Shirt Vs Button-down Shirt!

A button-up shirt and a button-down shirt may seem interchangeable at first, but they’re actually two different kinds of shirts.

Button-up shirts are a classic style that never goes out of fashion, while button-down shirts are perfect for more casual occasions.

The main difference between a button-down shirt and a button-up shirt is the buttons on the collar of both shirts.

Button-up shirts have buttons on the front, while button-downs have buttons on both sides of the collar—with one side typically being larger than the other.

Let’s dive deeper into these two types of shirts so you can make sure you get the right one for your wardrobe.

What are Button-up Shirts?

A Man Wearing Button Up Shirt

A button-up shirt is a classic style of shirt that has a collar and button closures.

A Button-up shirt can have either French cuffs or barrel cuffs.

Button-up shirt typically has a slim, fitted look and are made from dressier fabrics like silk or cotton.

A button-up shirt is a collared shirt that has buttons at the neckline.

The buttons are usually made of metal and can be either fastened or unfastened, depending on your preference.

If you want to wear your button-down shirt with a tie, it’s better to have an extra pair of buttons so that they can be undone easily.

Button-down shirts come in many different styles, from classic dress shirts to casual polo collar shirts and oxfords.

Many people think of them as business attire but there are plenty of other options available if you don’t want to wear formal clothing for work every day!

What Are Button-down Shirts?

A Man Wearing Button Down Shirt

Button-down shirts are a more casual style of shirt that does not have a collar and always has barrel cuffs.

Button-down shirts usually have a more relaxed and comfortable fit and are made from more casual fabrics like flannel or denim.

A button-down collar shirt has the following features:

  • A button-down collar. The collar is usually made out of cloth or leather, and it’s attached to the rest of your outfit with a button.
  • Button-down pockets. These are usually found on both sides of your shirt, but they can be found on one side only if you want them to be more discreet (for example, if you’re wearing jeans). The buttons allow easy access to all your items without having to unbutton anything in order not to show off too much skin when opening things up!
  • A cuff that closes around each wrist separately rather than just one big cuff at both ends like traditional shirts do nowadays due to their recklessness toward fashion trends since most people prefer wearing something similar looking every day instead going crazy buying new styles every week just so they won’t get bored while doing laundry all month long…or worse yet spending money unnecessarily because how else would we ever afford any new clothes?

Button-up Shirt Vs Button-down Shirt – Key Differences

Differences between button-up and button-down shirts are based on collar style, pockets, cuffs, and fit of the shirt.

Button-up vs. Button-down Shirt Collar

Button-up Vs Button-down Shirt Collar

Button-up collars are much smaller than button-down collars and usually have a more pointed shape.

This can make them feel tight and uncomfortable, especially if you’ve never worn one before.

Button-down collars are usually spread wider, which can make them look a bit more casual nature than their button-up counterparts.

The shape of the collar also varies between both types: button-down collars tend to be rounded while button-ups have sharper points at the top (in order to fit over your shirt cuff).

Button-up vs. Button-down Pocket

Button-up pockets are stitched shut and button-down pockets are open on the top.

Button-down pockets are usually smaller than button-up pockets, but they can be of any size depending on the manufacturer.

The placement of your buttons is also important when choosing between a button or two neck styles; if you have small hands (like me), then the latter will work better for you because it allows for more room in your pocket without compromising functionality.

Button-up vs. Button-down Cuff

Button-up cuffs are more casual than button-down cuffs.

They’re also easier to roll up, which makes them the perfect choice if you’re going for a more relaxed look.

If you’re wearing a dress shirt that has buttons down its sleeves, chances are it will have a button-down cuff as well (unless it’s an oxford).

Button-up shirts tend to be worn with ties as well as bowties and other accessories like pocket squares or suspenders—which means they’ll likely look very formal when worn with pants or jeans.

Button-up vs. Button-down Fit

Button-up Vs Button-down Shirt Fit

Button-up dress shirts are a classic style that has been around for years.

They’re best worn with dress pants, but they can also be paired with jeans and other casual fabrics like chinos for a smart casual look.

Button-down collar shirts have a more tailored fit than their button-up counterparts, which means they’re meant to hug the body closely without being too tight or floppy.

These shirts are often made of linen or cotton blends rather than 100% cotton—and because of this, they tend to wrinkle less than standard button-ups.

Importance Of Knowing The Difference Between Button-downs and button-ups

Button-downs and button-ups are different, so it’s important to know the details to ensure you get the shirt you want.

Button-downs are more casual than button-up dress shirts and can be worn with jeans or khakis, while button-up shirts tend to be more formal than their collared counterparts.

They’re also usually made from cotton (though some don’t have cuffs), which means they’ll shrink when washed in cold water (and possibly ruin your favorite pair of pants).

On top of that, collar buttons often adjust the size of your neck hole—buttons on pockets are often used for closure purposes;

buttons on cuffs may be used for rolling up or down depending on what type of sleeve you have chosen: short sleeve vs long sleeve—and whether or not an embroidered patch is added at neckline level as well!

Conclusion

As you can see, button-up and button-down shirts are quite different.

While the differences are technical and subtle, they are important if you want to shop for a new shirt or know how these styles differ from each other.

Hopefully, this post has helped you understand the differences between both of them so that when you’re looking for one in stores or online it’s easier!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is button up or button down more formal?

A Button-up shirt is typically more formal than a button-down shirt. This is because button-up shirts have a collar and are usually made from dressier fabrics. Button-down shirts are more casual due to their lack of a collar and the use of more relaxed fabrics. However, the formality of either shirt can also depend on the fit, style, and pattern.

What’s the difference between men’s and women’s button-ups?

The main difference between men’s and women’s button-ups is the fit. Men’s button-up shirts are typically tailored to provide a slim, fitted look, while women’s button-up shirts often have a looser, more relaxed fit. Additionally, men’s button-ups usually have French cuffs, while women’s button-up typically has barrel cuffs. Finally, men’s and women’s button-ups are often made from different fabrics. Men’s button-ups are usually made from dressier materials like silk or cotton, while women’s button-ups are more likely to be made from casual fabrics like flannel or denim. Buttoning your shirt all the way to the top can make you look stuffy and uncomfortable. If you’re looking to achieve a more casual look, leave the top few buttons undone. This is especially true for button-down collar shirts, which can look overly formal if all the buttons are done up.

What is a button-down shirt called?

A button-down shirt is a type of shirt that has Button closures down the front. Button-down shirts typically have a collar and come in both long and short-sleeve varieties. Button-down shirts are considered more casual than button-ups and are often made from more relaxed fabrics like flannel or denim.

How do you wear a button-up shirt?

A Button-up shirt can be worn for both casual and formal occasions. To achieve a more relaxed look, leave the top few buttons undone and roll up the sleeves. For a sharper look, tuck the shirt into trousers or skirts and pair it with a blazer or jacket. It can also be worn open over another shirt as a layering piece.

Related:

How To Style Button-down Shirt?
How To Tie Button-down Shirt?
How To Wear Button Down Shirt Open?
How To Wear A Plus-size Button-down Shirt?

Tasha Juli
Tasha Juli Korman is a fashion and lifestyle blogger. She has been blogging for over five years now and found her niche in the world of style! Whether it's taking you on a personal journey through her wardrobe or sharing outfits that match your own personal style, you enjoy following along.