ATL Poll Results: Button-Down Shirts With Suits Are Kosher
Our prior post about the propriety of wearing a shirt with a button-down collar with a suit provoked vigorous debate in the comments.
The sentiment in the comments was, on balance, running against this look. And we personally disfavor it as well. But in our reader poll, a majority of you deemed this pairing acceptable:
So the button-down-shirt proponents have prevailed. But considering the closeness of the vote, you might want to avoid this look if you can, out of an excess of caution.
P.S. Commenter Sartorialist, are you reading this? If so, can you email us? We’d like to ask you something. Thanks.
Earlier: Button-Down Shirts With Suits: Hot or Not?
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Lat: Is it possible to break the voting statistics down by region (using, say, IP address)? I suspect that views on whether it is okay to wear a button-down collar with a suit differ based on where the person expressing the opinion was reared; someone who grew up in the South would, I suspect, see nothing wrong with the button-down collar, while a New Yorker might object.
Could someone who voted No explain why it is not ok?
Like I understand the idea of not wearing a striped tie with a plaid shirt (it looks like a friggen optical illusion). But what's the problem with button downs and suits? Here's even an example of Brooks Brother's pairing a button down shirt with a suit on their online suit catalog. http://www.brooksbrothers.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=1&Section_Id=418&Product_Id=1129175&Parent_Id=216
Get with the program metrosexuals. "No" voters are so last season... everyone knows that button downs are now preferred. White socks are the next big thing.
I sent you an e-mail from a Yahoo account.
Completely unacceptable, even in super casual Southern California.
I'm with 7:34pm. Why is a button down not ok, for those who voted no? It looks fine and respectable to me.
I don't know if this was mentioned in any comments on the previous posts regarding the acceptability of button down collars with ties but it bears mentioning for those who do international legal work. In Europe, the button-down collar is a purely casual shirt, which is not to be worn for business or any formal event. The US treats it differently, as this poll narrowly indicates. So if you find yourself in London doing work, don't embarass yourself by stepping into the conference room with a button-down collar.
My first job was in a men's clothing store and Rule 1 was "Never let a customer wear a button down with a suit" because it would "look bad" and then we would look bad. No rationale for the rule was offered, but I have to admit that I cringe now when I see it. Though Brooks Brother's link above causes me to pause and reconsider.
The button-down shirt was introduced by Brooks Brothers in the late 1800s as a *sports shirt.* It was patterned after shirts worn in the UK by polo players (who needed the buttons to hold their collars down).
The reason it shouldn't been worn with a suit is mainly that although it may look fine in a carefully constructed photo, when men move around or slump the collar often bulges and looks awkward.
KFU, thanks for the explanation. Interesting, I just noticed the Partner from BigLaw I was just talking to has a button down collar and a suit.
button down shirts should not be worn because the whole purpose is to keep the collar down...and when one is wearing a suit, or a tie, for that matter, the collar does not need somethign to hold it down. button down shirts also look ridiculous and make you look like your mother dressed you.
The theory, I gather, is that the button-down shirt is a modern American contrivance born of simplicity, ease and practicality, akin to polyester and, perhaps, pre-knotted fake ties. Sophisticated gentlemen shudder at such things, except, perhaps, when dressing down to visit provincials on a summer weekend in Maine. Wearing one with a suit? In town? The Horror. The reality is probably that this fashion question, like many others (including suit color, fabric, cut, buttoning, shoes, and belts) has alot to do with American regional preferences (what well-dressed lawyers in LA dress differently from those in NYC, ditto Boston, Denver, etc.) In Boston, where I worked at a big firm for years, the button-down shirt and suit was standard. By contrast, friends from NY did not wear them (and often used a Windsor knot with non-lace shoes). It has something to do with Harvard, preppie-dom, old money, rustic summer homes on the New England coast, and a more casual, relaxed (and confident) approach to fashion, even in the office.
Thanks for the Brooks Brothers link. Weren't those guys owned by a bunch of Japanese for a while, and are now owned by Casual Corner/Petite Sophisticate? Japanese have long been the last word on American Fashion. I think it is safe to say that for any biglaw associate, your career and ass-chasing will both be dramatically enhanced if, for fashion advice, you either (i) find a Japanes guy and ask him how to dress, or (ii) head down to Casual Corner and ask the salesgirls for advice.
I wear Hickey Freeman suits with button down collared shirts all the time. Styles are set by individuals. Confidence is the greatest ingredient when setting style! Wear it like you own it. Translation; Wear it WELL! He who hesitates is lost?