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The White Button-Front Shirt Is Your Fall Layering Hero

Fall dressing is tricky: Between the temperature swings and piles of arctic-ready clothing heaped in shops, who knows what to wear? Relax—it’s all about the long, loose, white button-front shirt. Whether you call it an oxford, a button-down or a menswear-style shirt, this will be the most useful piece in your transitional wardrobe. Here are seven ways to style it.

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white button down as jacket
Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

As A Jacket

Throw a white shirt over your short-sleeved LBD or summer-weight tank dress and voilá, you’ve got a whole outfit.

Get the look: Equipment, $228

white button down statement blouse
Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

As A Statement Blouse

Call it “Fall Fashion: Extremely Oversized Edition.” This circus tent of a top has to be tucked into the front to look au courant and chic. (Just don’t tuck it in all the way around—you’ll look like the Michelin Man.) 

Get the look: Vince ($255)

white button down under jacket
Christian Vierig / Contributor/ Getty Images

Underneath A Jacket

Unroll your sleeves, flip your collar up and tuck half the shirt into your jeans. Then throw a military blazer over your shoulders and you’ve mastered the fashion editrix vibe.

Get the look: Paige($149)

white button down satchel
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With A Crossbody Satchel

The off-the-shoulder button-down is a new twist on the time-tested sexiness of the borrowed men’s shirt. And it’s just as layer-able as that classic style.

Get the look: Each x Other ($399)

white button down under leather jacket
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Peeking From A Leather Jacket

A boyfriend-styled tuxedo shirt worn untucked with the sleeves flapping is so rocker-cool. Buy a small men’s version or a generously cut women’s style.

Get the look: Theory ($265)

white button down tucked into trousers
Kirstin Sinclair/Getty Images

Tucked Into Trousers

We’ve always associated a white shirt tucked into black trousers with catering waiters, but then French fashion trendsetter Emmanuelle Alt sported it and we went gaga for the Gallic charm.

Get the look: J.Crew ($98)

white button down leggings
Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

Over Leggings

A version with a cropped front and long tails is perfect for wearing with leggings since it’s going to cover your rear (so modest!) while not being so baggy in front (so sleek!).

Get the look: Madewell ($65)



dana dickey

Senior Editor

Dana Dickey is a PureWow Senior Editor, and during more than a decade in digital media, she has scoped out and tested top products and services across the lifestyle space...