18 Chic Ways to Wear Your White Button-Down Shirt This Fall

There are few wardrobe essentials that we lean on more than the classic white button-down shirt. It’s the real deal: The true wear-anywhere closet staple. In crisp cotton or soft silk, its tailored shape brings elegance to distressed denim and conservative suiting alike. Just ask out fashion director, Jillian Davison, whose unofficial uniform is a white button-down and a black pencil skirt or sharp trousers. To wit, our fashion department dressed as Jillian for Halloween:

Happy Halloween from Glamour’s fashion department! The whole team dressed up as fashion director @JillianDavison. #whiteshirt #cuffedsleeves #blackpencilskirt #statementnecklace ? (? by @emilymkemp)

A photo posted by Glamour Magazine (@glamourmag) on Oct 30, 2015 at 1:45pm PDT

That said, we’re showing you how to style your crisp shirt for the office, a night out, or a weekend stroll. Tuck it in or let it hang loose; tie it in knots or fashion an expert cuff—you can’t go wrong with this year-round essential.

For Work:

Look de Pernille

Tuck a crisp white button-down into an ultra-high waist skirt and finish it off with a belt. Slip into a pair of pointed-toe heels to stay chic and comfortable all day long.

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Allow a two-tone skirt to be the focus of your look by pairing it with classic shirting.

Damsel in Dior

Bare a little skin with a short-sleeve button-down and car-wash skirt—it’s a perfect silhouette for transitional weather!

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Tuck a silk blouse into a pair of slim black trousers. Top it off with a tweed blazer for stylish texture.

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Go all white this fall with a silk pleated midi skirt and button-down pairing. The silhouette is conservative enough for an office, while the all-white palette adds something a little extra.

The August Diaries

With a classic black suit, fold your shirting cuffs over your blazer. Add a pair of colorful heels to brighten up your otherwise colorless ensemble.

For a Date:

The Glamourai

Balance the buttoned-up quality of classic white shirting by allowing a black bra to peek out from underneath. Style the top with a textured floral midi skirt.

Luella & June

On a casual night out, go for skinny black jeans and a casual cotton top. Finish it off with a pair of head-turning heels.

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Go for a white button-down with a little something extra, like embellishment around the neckline.

Melodie Jeng

To tone down a naval-grazing neckline, slip a sexy black dress over a classic oxford shirt.

Pink Peonies

Pair a flirty miniskirt and stiletto heels with a button-down shirt for work-to-drinks styling!

Melodie Jeng

For an evening out, choose a button-down with a little more slouch and movement. Pair it with a skirt that moves with the same ease.

For the Weekend:

Atlantic Pacific

Step up your overall or jumpsuit game by layering the onesie over a white button-down shirt.

Melodie Jeng

Tuck a white button-down into a pair of well-loved straight-leg jeans for tailored appeal.

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Top your white button-down and denim combo with a sleeveless coat for transitional weather.

Man Repeller

To dress up your denim look, add a classic white shirt and heels. Finish it off with a bandana or statement necklace.

Melodie Jeng

Look for classic shirting with a bit of flair, like a piped pajama style.

Andy Heart

When in doubt, go for the tried-and-true blue denim and white cotton shirt. Style the look with everything from flats to statement heels, depending on where you’re headed!

Inspired to re-stock your wardrobe with your one true love? Shop some of our favorite styles here!

For more outfit ideas:

13 Stylish and Professional Outfits to Wear on a Job Interview

These 12 Rainy-Day Outfit Ideas Prove That Style Is 100% Waterproof

The Dos and Don’ts of Wearing Leather Pants