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Understated elegance, stealth wealth, minimalism, whatever you call it, the ultra-crisp button-up shirt transcends trends and seasons. Part of a solid rotation of wardrobe essentials, this menswear-inspired It item has garnered a cult-like following that includes supermodels, from Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid, to even Jennifer Lawrence. Like any closet classic, it’s likely that you already own a button-up or two. Now comes the fun part (and where we come in): figuring out how to style it, especially for the colder months.
In building a foundational capsule wardrobe, a bright white poplin is essential. This style from Acne studios gets the fabric and cut just right. A bold blue button-up is another minimalist must-have, and The Frankie Shop has a great one. Styling-wise, layers are your friend in the winter—think sleek turtlenecks, tissue-thin base layers, and lightweight scarves—for adding warmth and dimension to your look.
When it comes to the classics, you can never go wrong with a simple stripe. Our Legacy’s blue and white version takes on preppy cool beneath a sweater vest from Gigi Hadid’s brand, Guest In Residence. Meanwhile, By Malene Birger’s tomato red style is the perfect pop of color when paired with a light brown, tailored suit. Below, seven editor-approved ways on how to style a button-up shirt all winter long.
Vogue’s Go-To Button-Ups:
- The Classic White: Acne Studios organic cotton-blend poplin shirt, $340
- The Uniform Blue: The Frankie Shop Lui organic cotton-poplin shirt, $185
- The Striped Style: Our Legacy Daisy striped cotton-poplin shirt, $303
- The Denim Overshirt: Khaite Jinn denim shirt, $680
- The Basic Black Button-Up: The Row Essentials Caroline oversized wool shirt, $1,490
- The Pop of Color: By Malene Birger Derris button-front cotton shirt, $300
- The New Classic: Cos oversized cotton-blend shirt, $135
White Button-Up + Black Turtleneck
A white button-up pairs perfectly with simple wardrobe staples like straight-leg, wool trousers from Dries Van Noten and a soft knit turtleneck from Alex Mill. A leather bomber, combat boots, and chic shades take the look from classic to cool.
Striped Button-Up + Sleeveless Vest
Prep school, with a twist. Our Legacy’s striped button-up pairs perfectly with Guest in Residence’s shrunken sweater vest, and an asymmetrical pleated skirt from Sacai.
Black Button-Up + White Long-Sleeve Top
Go minimalist in layers of simple black and white. The Row’s soft, oversized button-up looks right at home with a sleek black maxi from Matteau and chunky loafers from Aeyde. Bright, white socks add extra style points.
Blue Button-Up + Black Turtleneck
Pair The Frankie Shop’s blue button-up with Suzi Kondi’s red, cashmere bandana, and a pair of stark, white jeans for a bright and fresh winter outfit. Extra layers around the neck will keep you cozy and frame your face.
Red Button-Up + Sleeveless Tissue Turtleneck
Add impact to Toteme’s classic suit with a bold pop of red in By Malene Birger’s button-up. Black accessories and a sleeveless white turtleneck anchor the look.
Brown Button-Up + Matching Base Layer
Dark brown is this winter’s new classic color. Cos’s chocolate button-down looks so chic with wide-leg, satin trousers from Toteme and a clean, white sneaker.
Denim Shirt + Midi Dress
For an added layer—and texture—in between your coat and sweater dress, consider a denim shirt. Wear it open and unbuttoned, or semi-closed with a belt for definition. Suede boots complete the look.
