The 20 Best White Button Downs for Women in 2024

A white button-down might be the only piece of clothing that you can wear both on a beach and in a boardroom. It's the ultimate basic among the best workwear clothes for women — a piece that has transcended time and gender. And yet, it can be tricky to find the one.

Whether you're looking to pair the button-down with a great pair of jeans or searching for a versatile swimsuit coverup, we've curated a guide with the best white button-down for you. Our top overall choice is the Eileen Fisher Washed Organic Cotton Poplin Collar Shirt for its Goldilocks fit — not too tight, not too boxy. For a more affordable organic cotton option, we suggest GAP's Organic Cotton Cropped Shirt. Below, you'll find more of our favorites for every occasion, plus tips on how to style them like a pro.

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This is the classic white button down at its roots. It has just the right amount of structure, with a close fit at the shoulders and a relaxed hem.
This oversized linen shirt is the perfect summer companion for using as a coverup and pairing with flowy pants for evening dinners.
We reviewed Everlane’s workwear collection and love them for high quality basics like this cotton Oxford that comes in six colors.
Our favorite affordable option is just $32 and has functional utility chest pockets. The spread collar pairs well under a sweater or blazer.
Everlane’s unicorn silk shirt has almost a thousand rave reviews, with lots of comments about how beautifully it drapes.
This slightly roomy button down is made with organic cotton and has an on-trend boxy silhouette. Its curved hemline layers well over wide leg pants.
If you want the best fitted white button down to tuck into pants or wear under a chic suit, then look no further than this stretchy, tailor-fit option.
This cropped button down hits right at the waist no matter what your height is, since it comes in petite, regular, and tall.
L.L.Bean’s classic cotton Oxford shirt is miraculously wrinkle-resistant, even if it’s just out of the wash. It comes in sizes XS to 3XL.
This style has a hidden button closure, so you won’t have to use the tape trick to prevent gaping between the seams.
Parisian brand Sezane’s stylish button down comes in a multitude of colors — some featuring luxe accents like mother of pearl buttons.
When we reviewed Quince, we loved the cool and comfy feel of the linen – in a short sleeve button down, it’s perfect for warm days.
Everlane is a master at button downs and this cut that turns a basic look into a statement piece is no exception.
The batwing sleeves and side slits make this the perfect choice for flirtily tying to be more cropped or tucking into jeans for the perfect French tuck.
There are tons of monogramming options for this pick — in fact, you can choose from over 20 thread colors and eight adorably preppy fonts.
This lightweight, gauzy material has an oversized fit and breezy sleeves for keeping comfortably dry. You can also pair it with its matching pants.
The fine lines on this pure poplin button down have a flattering elongating effect, plus it’s available in a wide range of sizes.
An ode to the classic tuxedo, this oversized style has a pleated bib and extra long single button cuffs for a unique, distinguished flair.
This standout piece features a chest pocket and a sparkling gemstone collar you can wear in lieu of a statement necklace.
The vintage-inspired frilly cuffs and standing collar are perfect for achieving an Old English coquette look.

What to look for in a white button-down?

If you're looking to wear your button-down with a blazer or as part of a suit, you should opt for a slightly more tailored fit so that you don't have excess material that could make it look schleppy. A good choice is the Banana Republic Tailor-Fit Easy-Care Shirt.

If you're looking for the perfect summer button-down, opt for materials like linen or poplin that stay cool to the touch and are lightweight like the Everlane Linen Relaxed Shirt.

If you travel a lot, look for fabrics that are treated to resist wrinkles like the LL Bean Wrinkle-Free Pinpoint Oxford Shirt that has rave reviews for delivering on the promise of always-smooth fabric.

If you want to be able to tie your button down, make sure you get an oversized fit like the Quince 100% European Linen Long Sleeve Oversize Shirt so that you have enough material, or opt for a button-down with side slits like the Epoque Evolution White Shirt II.

How to style a white button-down

The most classic way to wear a white button-down is tucked in under a suit. Though you can always opt for a traditional look, it would look particularly great under a suit in a statement color, like Suit Shop's Women's Burt Orange Suit.

Read our full review of the best suits for women in 2024 for our top picks.

In the winter, you can tuck the shirt into a pair of classic black pants and pair it with a chic winter coat and leather ankle boots. A button down also makes a great base to layer under a cashmere sweater for a polished look.

In the summer, you can pair a white button-down with denim shorts or lightweight, airy pants. It would also look great tied at your waist and paired with a simple skirt like the Quince Washable Silk Skirt. If you wear it unbuttoned, you can use it as a beach coverup over a swimsuit or even keep it in your bag to use as a lightweight jacket when evening cools down.

What to wear under a white button-down

Since white tends to be the most see-through color and many of these button-downs are made from lightweight fabrics like cotton, silk, and linen, it's best to wear a nude bra so it doesn't show. See our review of the best bras here. If you want extra coverage, you can also wear a nude camisole underneath.

Samantha Crozier

Style & Beauty Editor

Samantha Crozier is a style & beauty editor for Insider Reviews. She spends her days testing the newest it-bag, the workout set that's all over Instagram, or that lipgloss that everyone is talking about on TikTok. She's obsessed with gold jewelry, vitamin C serums, toile-printed dresses, faux fur, tiny purses, kitten heels, and everything to do with vintage fashion. Before joining Insider Reviews, she was an editor on the Health Reference team where she focused on articles about sex and relationships, skincare, nutrition, and mental health. She graduated from Tufts University with degrees in English and Political Science and had jobs in book publishing before coming to Insider in 2020. Although she now lives in Brooklyn, she still travels back and forth to her hometown of Honolulu, Hawaii. You can reach her at: scrozier@insider.com.

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