We’ve read that the late, great Karl Lagerfeld owned over 1,000 of his now-iconic Hilditch & Key white button-down shirts. Can you blame him? Once you find a white button-down that fits your body and wardrobe, you’re committed for life. The beauty of this wardrobe staple is how it can elevate the most quotidian of outfits, from sweatpants (yes!) to jeans (obviously) to evening wear (definitely).
Of course, to optimize this wardrobe staple for every possible outfit, the fit and functionality of the staple piece have got to be spot-on, so we scoured the internet for some of the best white button-down shirts for women, including the coolest styles with embellishments and hard-to-find fits so that you can look extra put-together without pinching or gapping. Click through to find your new go-to white shirt. And as always, we’ve included only the examples that have earned serious accolades from vocal shoppers.
Welcome to Hype Machine, our hit-list of the top reviewed products across the web — according to a crowd of die-hard shoppers. Call this your 4-star-and-up only club, with entry granted by our devoted-to-the-goods shop editors.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy or click on something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
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Good American The Good Shirt
The Best Tailored Button-Down Shirt With Oversized Front Pockets
The Hype: 4.5 out of 5 stars; 27 reviews on GoodAmerican.com
Good American specializes in basics that are far from basic. In this case, this shirt is not only a posh white, but it has crisp tailoring with oversized front pockets. With its exaggerated cuffs and oversized fit, it’s a chic button-down.
“I love this top! The material feels so luxurious against my skin! I would wear it everyday, if I could,” writes a reviewer. “[I]t works for casual wear at the beach or in the office! I can dress it up or down and still feel confident in my style choice,” another exclaims.
Shop Good American
Good American The Good Shirt, $, available at Good American
H&M Cotton-Blend Shirt
The Best Button-Down Shirt For Layering
The Hype: 4.3 out of 5 stars; 322 reviews on HM.com
H&M is home to affordable basics that you’ll gravitate toward again and again. The retailer’s best-selling white button-down shirt is a cotton blend with a rounded hem that’s perfect for layering.
“H&M’s Cotton-Blend top is a great staple shirt. I ordered white in an L, which is my true size in anything with a regular/slim cut. (For reference, I’m a 38 DD). I love the stretch,” exclaims a reviewer. “It’s so comfortable, and the fabric is really soft. It’s subtly see-through, but a nude bra should cover you up fine. It also looks great open and layered. I actually love that this isn’t a baggy, oversize fit. It looks polished. And upscale.”
Shop H&M
H&M Cotton-Blend Shirt, $, available at H&M
Theory Fitted In Silk Georgette
The Best Luxe Button-Down Shirt
The Hype: 4.5 out of 5 stars; 43 reviews on Theory.com
Lovers of quiet luxury will adore this elegantly fitted shirt from Theory. It has mother-of-pearl buttons for that luxe flair, a subtly rounded hem for softness, and is made from breathable silk. It’s a top that’ll drape gracefully whether you wear it alone or under a cropped blazer.
“It’s a super high quality silk shirt that thoroughly impressed me. The quality and texture is way better than the other brands that I own,” raves a reviewer.
Shop Theory
Theory Fitted Shirt In Silk Georgette, $, available at Theory
Everlane The Silky Cotton Relaxed Shirt
The Best Silk Button-Down Shirt
The Hype: 4.5 out of 5 stars; 454 reviews on Everlane.com
If you sweat or get hot easily (but still need to look presentable), get yourself a white button-down in the naturally cooling fabric of silk.
“It’s comfortable, lightweight, versatile and flattering. The button-down is a perfect staple that I want to wear it everyday,” raves a reviewer. “It looks cute tucked into high-waist jeans, dressed up if needed, or untucked for a more casual look. Everlane just does button ups so well.”
Shop Everlane
Everlane The Silky Cotton Relaxed Shirt, $, available at Everlane
Abercrombie & Fitch Oversized Poplin Button-Up Shirt
The Best Soft Button-Down Shirt
The Hype: 4.4 out of 5 stars; 136 reviews on Abercrombie.com
Meredith Blake from The Parent Trap was the summer rave of 2022 and we’re still not over it. For one happy customer, however, this top was all about the movie’s true unsung fashion icon: Chessy.
“This shirt reminds me of Chessy from The Parent Trap. And I absolutely love it,” writes a reviewer who we couldn’t agree with more. “I paired it with my Curve Love Ultra High Rise 90s Straight Jeans and some flip flops for the summer!”
Shop Abercrombie & Fitch
Abercrombie & Fitch Oversized Poplin Button-Up Shirt, $, available at Abercrombie & Fitch
J.Crew Classic-Fit Cozy Gauze Shirt
The Best Airy White Button-Down Shirt
The Hype: 4.3 out of 5 stars; 151 reviews on JCrew.com
As far as classic white button-downs go, J.Crew knows a thing or two: The preppy-cool brand has been crafting crisp oxford shirts since the 1940s. This cozy cotton-gauze style is no exception to its unprecedented tailoring excellence.
“I have to add my voice to all the others saying this is the best shirt ever,” writes one reviewer, praising its season-agnostic style. “Perfect cozy shirt for warm weather, or as a coverup for hot sun. I love the long lean silhouette — and the fit and drape are beautiful. And, it is sexy despite being totally modest. A magician designed this!”
Shop J.Crew
J.Crew Classic-Fit Soft Gauze Shirt, $, available at J.Crew
Madewell White Cotton Courier Shirt
The Best Short-Sleeve White Button-Down Shirt
The Hype: 4.2 out of 5 stars; 259 reviews on Madewell.com
Oftentimes, white button-downs are reserved for formal environments. This boxy, short-sleeve version is a refreshing antidote to the fitted look and a perfect summer staple.
“I have always loved Madewell’s courier shirts. They work super well for tiny people, especially those with small frames and short torsos,” writes one reviewer, who adores this shirt. But, that’s not all — the reviewer also loves that it’s work-appropriate. “Another important thing about this particular shirt is that it is super thick. No see-through here. I teach so it’s important that my professional shirts don’t allow my bra to be seen. I’m pretty sure my students think I live in it.”
Shop Madewell
Madewell White Cotton Courier Shirt, $, available at Madewell
Quince Washable Stretch Silk Notch Collar Blouse
The Best Washable Silk White Button-Down Shirt
The Hype: 4.8 out of 5 stars; 1,215 reviews on Onequince.com
If you want a more elevated Oxford, a silky button-down blouse goes a long way. Put one on, and you’ll automatically look more luxe, more professional, and more evening-ready.
“I’ve spent years looking for a silk button-down. Cotton ones tend to be too stiff on my frame (petite with curves) but silk tops have always been towards the $100 range, which is unrealistic for me,” writes one reviewer who finally found their unicorn. “My search for this top is how I found Quince in the first place. Really happy to fill out my wardrobe for work/events/daily life with this staple piece!”
Shop Quince
Quince Washable Stretch Silk Notch Collar Blouse, $, available at Quince
Uniqlo Rayon Long-Sleeve Blouse
The Best Elegant Button-Down Shirt
The Hype: 4.7 out of 5 stars; 451 reviews on Uniqlo.com
Uniqlo’s rayon long-sleeve blouse may be a closet staple, but it also has real “need it in every color” potential. And with an under-$40 price tag allows, it’s easy to justify snagging it in a pastel or neutral shade, too.
“I love the lightweight need and luxury look of the blouse. It looks great and professional for work or a fun day out with the girls,” writes a reviewer. “I would definitely recommend this product. Great for mix and matching [with]any outfit.”
Shop Uniqlo
Uniqlo Rayon Long-Sleeve Blouse, $, available at Uniqlo
Ann Taylor Petite Essential Shirt
The Best White Button-Down Shirts For Petites
The Hype: 4.5 out of 5 stars; 119 reviews on Anntaylor.com
A near-unanimous declaration of perfection is rare, but Ann Taylor’s Petite Essential Shirt has an almost flawless rating, and we can see why. With silky fabric and a dipped neckline, this shirt has the sought-after ability to transition from day to night and elevate pretty much any outfit.
“Lightweight and versatile!!!!” writes one emphatic reviewer. “I am normally a PS (5’1, 124, 36C) but went with the PM to ensure no gapping.” (Thank you for the tip, reviewer!)
Shop Ann Taylor
Ann Taylor Petite Essential Shirt, $, available at Ann Taylor
Free People’s We The Free Summer Daydream Button Down
The Best Slouchy & Relaxed Fit White Button-Down Shirt
The Hype: 4.4 out of 5 stars; 304 reviews on FreePeople.com
Throw on this button-down for that rolled-out-of-bed-like-this vibe — only better. The soft, slouchy fit with its raw hemline and already-worn-in feel adds to its laid-back, effortlessly chicness.
“Obsessed. I waited so long to get this in the white color. It was a splurge but I am so happy with my purchase,” raves a reviewer. “It flows on the body so beautifully and leaves me feeling chic and confident. Perfect over any outfit and also makes the cutest swim coverup!”
Shop We The Free on Free People
We The Free We The Free Summer Daydream Buttondown, $, available at Free People
Anthropologie’s Meme Embellished Button-Down Tunic
The Best High Fashion White Button-Down Shirt
The Hype: 4.2 out of 5 stars; 53 reviews on Anthropologie.com
Are you in the mood to spice up your wardrobe? Is everything starting to look the same? Opt for this pearl-embellished button-down. It’s playful and polished, acting as a versatile staple while standing out.
“This isn’t your typical white shirt! The pearls on this shirt are a very welcome detail, it adds a special detail on what would be an ordinary top,” notes a reviewer. She adds that she styled the shirt in question with jeans and heels for a dressed-up look with lots of classic polish, noting “I also tuck one side in to give a little flair.”
Shop Mememe on Anthropologie
Mememe Mememe Embellished Buttondown Tunic, $, available at Anthropologie
Amazon Essentials Classic-Fit Button-Down Poplin Shirt
The Best Budget-Friendly White Button-Down Shirt On Amazon
The Hype: 4.2 out of 5 stars; 15,267 reviews on Amazon.com
Over 15,000 Amazon reviewers rave about this very affordable button-down’s classic tailoring, comfortable fit, and wrinkle resistance.
“This shirt, the poplin, is lighter weight and wrinkles much less straight from the dryer. [It’s] a men’s style fit, with no darts to nip in the waist,” writes one reviewer, who prefers the “boyfriend” fit. The details are not to be overlooked, either: “The cuff is crisp and has a double button to make turning the cuff once or twice secure and tidy. This style is best for layering, as it is light and cool. I rarely buy items before they go on sale, but I would pay full price again. Perfect.”
Shop Amazon Essentials on Amazon
Amazon Essentials Classic-Fit Long-Sleeve Button-Down Poplin Shirt, $, available at Amazon
Banana Republic The Classic Shirt
The Best Fitted White Button-Down
The Hype: 4.5 out of 5 stars; 337 reviews on Bananarepublic.gap.com
Classic. Tailored. Easy to tuck in. What more could you ask for in a white button-down? And, if easy upkeep is important to you, this particular Oxford is also made from 100% cotton, which means you can just throw it in the wash for that back-to-crisp reset.
“My go-to button-down shirt. The material feels so crisp and light on my skin. Love it,” sums up one reviewer’s straightforward testimonial.
Shop Banana Republic
Banana Republic Classic-Fit Poplin Shirt, $, available at Banana Republic
Riders By Lee Indigo Women’s Easy Car Three-Quarter Sleeve Woven Shirt
The Best White Button-Down For Bigger Busts
The Hype: 4.2 out of 5 stars; 8,804 reviews on Amazon.com
There’s no greater fit enemy than the dreaded gap, which can be the scourge of any cup size in an ill-fitting button-down. That being said, it certainly plagues our bigger-busted sisters more regularly, so we sought out the most gap-reducing style tailored for larger chests — and we found it on Amazon.
“I have owned several of these shirts. They fit great and are made for big-busted women. They have 2 buttons at the bustline so they don’t gap,” writes one reviewer. “I just heard all of the amply endowed women of the world cheer! Yes!!!”
Shop Riders on Amazon
Riders by Lee Indigo Easy Care ¾ Sleeve Woven Shirt, $, available at Amazon
Columbia Bahama L/S Shirt
The Best White Button-Down For Sporting & Outdoors
The Hype: 5 out of 5 stars; 494 reviews on Zappos.com
Spoiler alert: Technically, this is a fishing shirt — but it also has a mind-boggling, perfect 5-star rating pulled from 430+ reviews. Obviously, that warranted a closer look. As it turns out, this white button-down is perfect for all kinds of outdoor activities — but it suits non-sporty folks just as well.
“Although I don’t fish, I like the extra pockets for storage and the way you can roll up the sleeves and keep them up,” writes one reviewer who can’t get enough pockets. “They are also very cool in the hot sun and come in great colors. I now have 3 of them and will be on the hunt for a few more.” With strategic cooling features and quick-dry fabrication, this button-down is great for warmer days or for travel as well.
Shop Columbia On Zappos
Columbia Bahama™ L/S Shirt, $, available at Zappos
Alex Mill Kit Shirt In Paper Poplin
The Best Peter Pan Collar White Button-Down
The Hype: 4 out of 5 stars; 15 reviews on Alexmill.com
Talk about charming! This button-down has a cute peter pan collar, adorable sleeves that are slightly puffed, and a gathered detail at the cuffs and back. It’s super unique and non-boring to say the least.
“Reminds me of a French painter’s shirt but more stylish. This is nicely oversized and comfortable. Goes with a lot of items already in my closet,” says one reviewer. “Plan to purchase a couple more colors as it’s really hard to find a woman’s shirt that fits this nice with unique sleeves and collar. Like the buttons too.”
Shop Alex Mill
Alex Mill Kit Shirt in Paper Poplin, $, available at Alex Mill
Good American Tabbed Poplin Shirt
The Best Oversized Button-Down Shirt With Elevated Sleeves
The Hype: 4.5 out of 5 stars; 44 reviews on GoodAmerican.com
Good American specializes in basics that are far from basic. In this case, this high-low top is not only a crisp white, but it has an elevated touch at the wrists. With its removable belted cuff, you get a dainty cinched look.
“I love the shirt and the fit,” writes a reviewer. “It’s an oversized fit, but still flattering. The sleeves are also so unique too. I’m obsessed.” Another reviewer praised the amount of detail that went into the intricately designed shirt. “Honestly, for the very reasonable price point[,] it’s the nicest quality, cut, and construction that I’ve seen in a long time.”
Shop Good American
Good American Tabbed Poplin Shirt, $, available at Good American
The LYSSÉ Schiffer Shirt
The Best Tall-Fit White Button-Down
The Hype: 4 out of 5 stars; 59 reviews on Nordstrom.com
Whether you’ve got a longer torso or simply want to wear a tunic-length button-down, this menswear-inspired style from LYSSÉ offers the coverage you seek.
“Love the material of this shirt and the longer length. It is a bit oversized, so I took an extra small even though I typically wear a small in button-down shirts to have enough room in the bust,” writes one strategic shopper. “The slight stretch makes this very comfy. Will wear this tucked in for a more formal look, but also will look great with leggings and even unbuttoned as a layering piece,” they write of how they’ll style this closet staple.
Shop Lyssé
Lysse Schiffer Shirt, $, available at Nordstrom
The Best No-Iron White Button-Down
Uniqlo Women Rayon Long-Sleeve Blouse
The Hype: 4.9 out of 5 stars and 29 reviews on uniqlo.com
You can always count on Uniqlo to pull through with high-quality capsule pieces at affordable price points — and this white button-down is no exception. “Love this blouse. Great for work or dress casual with jeans. Not too thin or sheer,” writes one reviewer, who also mentions that they bought this shirt in five different colorways. One highlight of this blouse is that it’s made of soft rayon fabric, meaning it’s wrinkle-resistant and no ironing is required. “Very little wrinkle after wash and no shrinking. Feels nice and cool in summertime and in the wintertime I wear a heat tech turtle neck under,” writes the reviewer on how they layer for cold weather.
Uniqlo WOMEN RAYON LONG-SLEEVE BLOUSE, $, available at Uniqlo
The Best “Vintage” White Button-Down
Abercrombie & Fitch 90s Oversized Button-Up Shirt
The Hype: 4.4 out of 5 stars; 45 reviews on abercrombie.com
Heads up: A&F was not kidding with either the “90s” or “oversized” callouts when naming this shirt. This button-down is supremely baggy in a ’90s grunge-style way — so much so that nearly all the reviewers recommend you size down. “Was looking for the perfect white shirt and this one *almost* fits the bill. It is oversized, originally I got the small but was swimming in it and had to exchange for xs,” writes one reviewer, who still loves the top despite its big-ness. “It’s a thin lightweight material that is great for layering or for the warmer months. [It’s] a bit sheer, I can only wear a nude coloured bra with that. Other than that I love it!” they write.
Abercrombie and Fitch 90s Oversized Button-Up Shirt, $, available at Abercrombie and Fitch
The Best Drapey White Button-Down
Treasure & Bond Drapey Classic Shirt
The Hype: 4 out of 5 stars, 128 reviews on nordstrom.com
One of the cooler ways to wear your white button-down is with the slightest hint of it not actually belonging to you. While this is descended from a heteronormative trope that we have most certainly evolved beyond, there remains an air of insouciance in sporting a dress shirt that’s ever-so-slightly oversized — which means it’s also flattering for all body types. “This shirt is so divine. The drapey aspect of the shirt flatters my bigger chest and apple body,” writes a reviewer. And yes, this button-down is a little sheer, but don’t let that deter you — what other shirt seamlessly works day to night? “I may wear a shirt underneath but I may not,” continues the reviewer. “This shirt is so divine. It feels incredible against my skin.”
Treasure & Bond Drapey Classic Shirt, $, available at Nordstrom
The Best Relax-Fit White Button-Down
Universal Thread Women’s Raglan Long Sleeve Button-Down Shirt
The Hype: 4.4 out of 5 stars and 45 reviews on target.com
As previously stated, the classic white button-down will go with anything — so much so that it’ll be worn to death. This is one such shirt that will stay with you till its final threads. “This shirt is perfect, soft, and very comfy. It replaces one that I had for several years that developed frays and holes in the sleeves because I wore it so much,” writes one die-hard fan. “This one is taking its place and I am so happy with it so far.” Best of all? This one’s only $20.
Universal Thread Women’s Raglan Long Sleeve Button-Down Shirt, $, available at Target
The Best White Lace Button-Down
Express Lace Inset Button-Up Shirt
The Hype: 4 out of 5 stars and 3 reviews on express.com
After a while, white button-downs all tend to look the same, don’t they? This one begs to differ. Take a looksy at the details and you may be smitten by the gorgeous lace insets, just as reviewers have. “Beautiful top. Fits perfectly. I love the feminine look, great quality. LOVE!!” writes one reviewer. In other words, this white button-down dares to be unique while still staying on assignment.
Express Lace Inset Button-Up Shirt, $, available at Express
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