5 Different Ways To Style A Button-up Shirt

For many people, button-up shirts are something only worn during more formal occasions. However, there are plenty of casual looks that can be pulled off with a button-up shirt—it all depends on how you style the shirt. 

Read on to find out how you can include button-up shirts into your casual everyday outfit.

Regular shirt

While it may seem obvious that the most basic way to style a button-up shirt is to wear it as a regular shirt, just like there are different ways to wear an oversized t-shirt, there are also different ways a button-up can be worn to achieve a more casual vibe.

Tucked out

When worn tucked out, a button-up shirt will give you a loose silhouette. Not only is this type of loose and flowy silhouette popular in Korean fashion, it definitely also has a more laid back vibe!

White and other light colours are perfect for a summer look / Image: Pinterest

Romantic Crown KOR Luggage Tag Shirt White, retailing at sgd129 at StyleupK

Tucked in

If you prefer to tuck in your top, no worries, you can still pull off a casual look with a tucked in button-up shirt.

Instead of pairing it with bottoms made of cotton, try denim instead. Style your button-up top with a pair of denim shorts and a matching-coloured belt for a relaxed but put-together look.

Match the colour of your shirt to your belt for a cohesive look / Image: Instagram

Romantic Crown Cross Checkered Oversized Shirt in Navy, retailing at sgd129 at StyleupK

As a dress

Just like oversized t-shirts, oversized button-ups can also be worn as a dress. Similar to wearing it tucked out, the loose and relaxed silhouette when wearing an oversized button-up as a dress gives off a more casual vibe.

Shirt dresses straddle the line between casual and formal / Image: Tumblr

If this look is a little too casual for your liking, you can also wear a belt around your waist to emphasise your figure a little more and dress up the outfit.

Base layer

Layering is a style of dressing that allows you to mix and match different colours, patterns, and materials all in a single outfit. Button-up shirts work great as a base layer, especially for preppy and dark academia outfits—all you need is a knit vest to layer on top of the shirt and you’ll be good to go.

Collared shirts and vests are must-haves for the preppy look / Image: Tumblr

Romantic Crown Knit Vest in Oatmeal, retailing at sgd79 at StyleupK

A button-up shirt can also be worn as a base layer under a nice dress. This is a great trick for people who might be conscious about showing too much skin, while retaining the classy vibe of the dress.

A plain coloured button-up works as a base layer for almost anything / Image: Tumblr

Near & Dear Women Semi Overfit Shirt in Sky Blue, retailing at sgd129 at StyleupK

Outerwear

Not only can button-up shirts be worn as a base layer, they make for great outerwear as well. When wearing a button-up shirt as outerwear, make sure to pick a shirt made of light cotton or other breathable material. 

The long sleeves may protect your arms from sun damage in sunny Singapore, but you don’t want to end up sweating through multiple layers! 

A patterned outerwear is best paired with plain tops and bottoms / Image: Pinterest

AQO Studiospace Bear Retro Checkered Shirt, retailing at sgd80 at StyleupK

Off-shoulder

If you’re feeling a little bold, you can also try wearing a button-up shirt as an off-shoulder top! The trick to achieving this look is leaving the top few buttons undone and then pulling the collar of the shirt down your arm to expose your shoulder. 

The off-shoulder look is an easy way to spice up your outfit / Image: Pinterest

If you’re extra bold, you can even try pulling the shirt down on both sides to expose both shoulders for a proper off-shoulder top look!

How do you wear your shirt?

While button-up shirts may seem boring and formal, this is not the case as all. Button-up shirts can be dressed down for casual looks, and can be styled in many different ways—the off-shoulder look is particularly creative!—showing how versatile they are.

Shop for button-up shirts and other tops at StyleupK today, worldwide delivery available!