7 Ways To Un-Basic Your Button-Down

A simple button-down shirt is a closet chameleon for guys and gals. Like a blank canvas, it can be transformed into a work of art with special care and attention.

Take your button-down from ho-hum basic to work of genius with these styling tips.

1. Wear it as a dress

If your button-down is on the larger side, it can be transformed into a sexy frock simply by going pants-free. Finish the look with a messy bun, menswear-inspired oxfords and a delicate gold chain for an upgraded morning-after look.

  1. Layer it with a statement necklace

Jazz up a stark white button-down with a colorful bejeweled bubble skirt and you’ll be good to go for an evening of cocktails.

  1. Top with a sweater dress

Cozy up to a dress that keeps you warm in winter. Adding a shirt underneath ups the warmth factor and adds a bit of visual interest at the neck. Make sure to choose a crew neck silhouette that’s not too tight to prevent the fabric from bunching up.

  1. Wrap it into a skirt

Here’s a life hack that’ll give you a new lease on that shirt: fasten a few buttons of an oversize shirt around your waist instead of your neck, then tie the arms together at the waist to create a fashionable wrap skirt perfect alongside a crop top and chunky sandals.

  1. Use it as a light jacket

When a jacket is too much, use a shirt as a lightweight layer instead. A cornflower blue iteration looks right at home atop white tee. You’ll look breezy and stylish without breaking a sweat.

  1. Go full-on greaser

If you wake up feeling bad to the bone, run with the vibe by pulling on a pair of fitted blue jeans, a shirt buttoned all the way up, and a black leather jacket. At once put-together and hard edged, this look works for any occasion because it gives off a devil-may-care attitude.

  1. Get minimalist, not basic

Minimalism rests on the tenet of beautiful, well-crafted pieces without any extraneous details. A button-down shirt is a perfect opportunity to show off the lines and texture of a great pair of black balloon pants and block-heel loafers. Pull your hair back and accessorize with nothing but a swipe of red lipstick.

Your basic shirt gets new life with styling tricks that take it to the next level. Basic is beautiful when you know how to work it.

Bust out your basics with shirts that benefit from a little twist.

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