What an elegant piece of clothing a shirt is. It’s suitable for any and every occasion. We bring to you the best button down shirts for women! A formal shirt is the go-to clothing item for a business meeting or when you need that boost of confidence in acing that interview. A casual button-down cotton shirt makes for the perfect wear for a day out with friends or a romantic dinner date. A plaid or flannel shirt when styled with the right pair of jeans and a pair of Chelsea boots sets the tone for early morning coffee runs as we welcome autumn. 

Discover the 13 best button-down shirts for women here and we’ve also thrown in a useful guide to help you pick one (or 13) of the best shirts that speak to you. Let’s dive right in.

• 1
  Best Overall

  Amazon Essentials Women's Long-sleeve Button-down Shirt - White

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Ah! The classic plain white button-down white shirt.This button-down shirt from Amazon Essentials is crafted to perfection with 100% cotton. With a crisp white collar and crisper appearance, it’s an excellent choice for when you need to dress to impress. It offers a snug fit, is breathable, and allows for easy movement. Finished with tumbled poplin, it gives the wearer a chic appearance.

2

Best Casual Shirt with Pockets

Runcati Women’s Button-down V- neck Shirt with Pockets - White

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What’s better than a plain white button-down shirt? A shirt with two pockets, of course! The breathable shirt comes with a cuffed sleeve and a rollable tab, so you can dress it up or down, depending on the occasion. With a V-neck and a turn down collar, you can rest assured that it won’t feel constricting and tight. Available in a host of other collars, this shirt with a button closure can make you work or vacation-ready in seconds.

3

Best Shirt with 3/4 sleeves

SUNNOW Women’s Tailored Short Sleeve Button-down Shirt - White

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If you love a cuffed sleeve or a 3/4th sleeve look, this button-down shirt will not disappoint you! A comfortable and breathable shirt, it’s the perfect blend of cotton and polyester. Not only is it an excellent choice for professional wear and a great addition to your everyday work attire, it’s also a good fit for pairing with a pair of jeans to run errands. As the shirt is semi-fitted, it won’t sit too snug on your body nor will it hang loose.

4

Best Shirt with Plaid Design

ZC&GF Long Sleeve V-Neck Stripes Women’s Casual Button-down Shirt - Stripe White

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Let’s take a quick yet minor deviation from plain white button down shirts and make way for some stripes. This button-down shirt features a classic black and white check plaid pattern and a pocket on one side to complete the laid-back, casual look. Made with a 95% polyester and 5% spandex, the material is breathable and offers a drape-like feeling. If you don’t like wearing your sleeves long, you can simply cuff it up to your liking. A great choice of summer evenings, this shirt looks best when paired with some black pants or denim shorts.

5

Best for Breathable Material

Astylish Women’s V-neck Button-down Blouse - Pink

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A delicious peachy pink shirt tailor-made for a day with the girls, this V-neck wonder will make you look cool, effortless, and chic, all at once. Also available is a host of summer-ready pastel colors like blue, green, and gray, these shirts are loose-fitting, offer a relaxed fit, and are incredibly roomy. Made with a blend of 95% polyester and 5% spandex, this shirt is skin-friendly and doesn’t stick to the skin, even on sweltering days.

6

Best Shirt with Short Sleeves

Beautife Women’s Short Sleeve Shirt - Black

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A free-flowing blend made of polyester, this black short-sleeved short can be the perfect shirt for a day-time hang or for an all-night rager. The cap-sleeved instantly adds a layer of cool while the white buttons add an extra pop of color to the otherwise solid-colored shirt. With detailed stitching on the back, a pocket in the chest area, and round hem, this shirt is one to keep.

7

Best for Formal Occasions

Gemolly Women's Wrinkle-free Button-down Shirt - White

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A gorgeous blend of cotton and spandex make this shirt a dream to wear. The blend makes the shirt incredibly soft, surprisingly stretchable, and breathable, even during hot days. But, that’s not all, it’s wrinkle-free too! Finished with a classic slim cut, it’s the ideal shirt for work and professional outings. The shirt features a collared V-neckline and long sleeves, which you can roll up to match your style and preference.

8

Best Cotton Shirt

Esabel.C Women’s Regular Fit Button-down Shirt - Black

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Woven to glory with 97% cotton and 3% spandex, this semi-fitted wonder lends a decent stretch and offers maximum comfort. The long-sleeved shirt features a feminine and slimming cut while the polka dot inner seam adds an element of whimsy to the otherwise somber shirt. Available in a host of other solid shades like pink, white, blue, and olive, this shirt is an excellent choice for both formal and casual occasions.

9

Best Cotton and Linen Blend

Karlywindow Women’s Long Sleeve Button-down Shirt - White

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Turn your gaze towards this white shirt that will have you comfortable throughout the day and even the night. A spectacular blend of 70% cotton and 30% linen, this shirt is breathable, skin-friendly, and doesn’t cling to your skin even on hot and humid days. It also features a turn-down collar, a V-neck design, and the long sleeves can be rolled up to the length of your desire. The length ends just below the hip and can be tucked in a pair of low-rise jeans for a casual yet well-put together look.

10

Best for Oversized Styles

BIG DART Oversized Button-down Shirt for Women - Pink

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This larger than life shirt makes one look instantly cool and the casual style adds to its allure. Perfect for an evening hang in your favorite joint or an indie concert, this loose-fitting shirt is crafted with 70% cotton and 30% polyester. The length runs to your thighs, making it the perfect garment to pair with a crop top and denim shorts. Available in 25 colors, you can now show different shades of your personality, every day.

11

Jonivey Women’s Stretch Button-down Shirt with Long Sleeves - 03 White

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Here’s another fantastic option for work wear. Made with 95% polyester and 5% spandex, this shirt offers free-flowing movement and a firm fit. Although it hugs the body, it doesn’t feel rigid, tight, and stiff and is insanely breathable. It feels like a soft, drape feeling against your skin and the best part is that the shirt is wrinkle-free! Pair it with medium-rise bootcut pants or a high-rise waist with a tapered fit and you’re good to go.

12

Ruisin Modal Soft Women’s Wrinkle-free Shirt - (Generation 2 - Black)

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A shape-fitting blend of 88% polyester and 12% modal, this flowy button-up shirt will have heads turning wherever you go. Crafted with superfine denier fibers, the shirt is skin-friendly and lends a flowy, glossy drape. The full-sleeves can be rolled up for a more casual look and the princess hemline adds a beautiful finish to the shirt. With paneled detailing on the sleeves, you can wear it to the office or for formal occasions.

13

Chouyatou Women's Batwing Sleeve Waffle Knit Button Down Shirt - Apricot

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Crafted with 65% polyester and 35% cotton, this waffle knit shirt and jacket combo is all the rage this season. It comes with a slouched batwing sleeve and distressed spliced design for that casual yet chic look. The shacket is completed in the front with a single-breasted button down closure, a unique stand collar and a frayed raw hem with a side split.

Now that we’ve looked at the 13 best button-down shirts for women in 2023, let’s take a quick look at the things you should keep in mind when buying a shirt.

Fit 

Women’s fitted button-down shirts and mostly dress shirts are designed to follow the contours of the women’s body to accentuate the body shape and features. Look for a fit that complements your body when it hugs the body. Excess material will only make your body look out of shape and crumple up in the waist area when tucked inside pants. Unless you want to go the complete other direction. If you are looking for a shirt that does the complete opposite, look for an oversized shirt that hangs on the shoulder in a slouchy way. Sharing some tips to style an oversized t-shirt, our contributor Tahirah Goins-Nall, a luxury stylist, says, “The best way to tuck an oversized T-shirt is a knotted or “tie” tuck. It is one of my favorites for an oversized tee. The knot can be tied in the front of the shirt and left hanging (to add depth to the shirt itself) or it can be tied in the back and tucked into bottoms so that the knot is no longer visible, but a waistline is accentuated from the front!”

Freedom of movement 

If you’re buying a fitted shirt, ensure that it offers a snug fit without feeling tight and constricting movement. One of the best ways to gauge how well the shirt fits is to hug someone. If you feel like it restricts movement, it’s a no-go. If you feel like you have constantly kept your stomach sucked in or if your shirt won’t stay tucked in, these are other red flags too. 

Fabric 

If you live in a low-moderate summer, cotton is the best choice. It breathes better and soaks up sweat pretty quickly. As it is a natural fiber, it helps air pass through the holes and keeps the body cool. Rayon, too, is an excellent material for mild temperatures. The downside of rayon is that it wears out pretty quickly. However, if you live in a very hot and humid area, polyester can be a great choice. While it soaks of sweat quicker than cotton, it also dries fairly fast. Wool, velvet, and silk can work wonders in retaining body heat, especially when layered wisely in colder regions. 

There you have it folks. We’ve carefully reviewed and curated a list of the best button-down shirts for women, so you don’t have to do the hard work of finding one. We’ve gathered shirts fit for every occasion, so you can look your dashing best, always. Remember to pick ones that fit your silhouette best and those that don’t feel rigid or constricting. Clothing is an extension of our personality, so pick one that speaks volumes of who you are.

Contributor: Tahirah Goins-Nall, Luxury Stylist and Event Curator - Clothes Petals