Classic, timeless, and instantly chic, the white button-down is a forever piece.
A great white button-down shirt is the foundation to every stylish woman’s wardrobe. Classic, timeless, and versatile enough to be styled for any occasion, the white shirt is the starting point to an endless variety of looks you can mix and match seamlessly. Whether you’re going for effortless glamour, relaxed weekend attire, or powerhouse professional, a white button-down is the ultimate style chameleon.
But while this wardrobe essential may be easy to style, finding the best white button-down shirt is not always a simple task. From the fabric to the collar, silhouette, sleeve length, and subtle details, every shirt has its own personality—just like the woman wearing it. As champions and fans of excellent shirting here at Misha Nonoo, we put in the work and not only designed the best shirts for women, but we’re also sharing our edited picks for the ones to shop based on your own personal style. Find your perfect match and we promise you’ll find endless ways to wear it forever.
For The Traditionalist
Allow us to schedule a meeting on your calendar with the 9-9 Shirt. Designed for the woman on the go who’s looking for the perfect button-down shirt to wear from 9 AM meetings at the office to 9 PM cocktails, this simple and sleek design lets you focus on the more important things in your day. With the perfect tailored silhouette, the 9-9 has a universally flattering slim fit that can be worn with everything from trousers to skirts, power suits and even jeans. The classic long-sleeve shirt features two button closure options that allow you to create a loose or snug fit, depending on your preference.
How to Style It
The options are endless with this one, but let us walk you through our favorite pairings. Create a power suit look and style the 9-9 Shirt with a classic pair of black trousers, like the Ivy Pant, and a coordinating black blazer. Take the look from day to night (there’s a reason it’s called the 9 - 9), and style the Florence Blazer Dress on top. It’s the perfect mix of sleek and sexy that carries you right to dinner and drinks. Or maybe, like many of us, you’re still working from home and need the perfect Zoom-ready, but still cozy outfit to get you through the day. Enter the 9-9 Shirt tucked into our Soho Sweatpants, an unexpectedly chic pairing that’s both flattering and comfy. It doesn’t get much better than that.
For The Creative
Enter the Ada Wrap Top: the classic white button-down shirt reinvented into something fresh, feminine, and guaranteed to stand out. For those who respect the classics, but prefer theirs executed with a more unique, fashion-forward take. The Ada Shirt features a flattering wrap that accentuates your waist for a little extra added flair. It’s every bit as artful (and creative!) as the woman who wears it.
The cotton wrap shirt is designed with two wrap ties and two buttons on the inside for a secure closure and fit—so you don’t have to worry about becoming unwrapped throughout the day (we’ve been there, no fun!). It features a faux placket, a patch pocket on the left breast, an asymmetrical hem, and a classic cuff at the sleeve with pleats. Whether you wear it to the office or dinner, you’re guaranteed to stand out in this sleek cut design.
How to Style It
Like every staple button-down shirt, the Ada styles flawlessly with a pair of classic straight-leg trousers such as the Ivy Pant. Add your jewelry and pumps of choice and you’ve got an instantly polished look. For something a bit more unexpected, style the Ada with a pencil skirt like the Prose. The look elongates and accentuates your shape and offers a touch of femininity that’s both sexy and polished. It’s the ultimate standout pairing.
For The Effortlessly Chic
There’s a reason the Husband Shirt is our all-time bestseller and one of the most sought after shirts for women. Beloved by CEOs, entrepreneurs, and powerhouse women all across the globe, the Husband Shirt has the perfect oversized fit that allows it to be dressed up or down flawlessly. The cotton button-down shirt features elongated cuffs that signal a touch of glamour and let you style the sleeves at your length of choice—left long or rolled up for a more relaxed look. Our Husband Shirt also features a classic stitched tuxedo pleat and tuxedo-style studs for buttons that serve as their own flash of jewelry.
Though all of our shirts offer the option to add a custom monogram, we took the personalization of this one to a new level with our Husband Shirt Builder—after all, there’s a perfect husband (shirt) out there for every woman. Make this classic wardrobe staple completely your own by customizing everything from the fabric (classic poplin, cotton voile, or linen more a more laid-back iteration), to the color, to the tone of your shirt’s studs (choose between gold, silver, gunmental, or rose gold). Once you’ve selected your favorites, you have the option to add on a monogram too. This may be a classic, but you get all the design credit with this one.
How to Style It
Let your tuxedo-style studs stand out at board meetings by tucking the Husband Shirt into a pencil skirt—we’re partial to the Prose Skirt. Or go for a polished, but glam moment and pair it with the wide-leg trousers, like the Kiki Pants —a classic combo you can’t go wrong in. For a look that can take you from the office straight to happy hour, style the button-down with the Austen Mini Skirt and your favorite pair of heels or booties. Or for a chic, yet relaxed weekend look, style the Husband Shirt with your favorite pair of jeans—it’s an effortlessly glamorous look every time.
For The One Who Appreciates Structure
A little structure never hurt anybody—and the Rei Shirt is proof of that. Buttoned up to perfection, our unique shirt inspired by designer and creator Rei Kawakubo features a Mandarin collar, concealed buttons and statement cuffs. Ideal for the woman who is looking for a shirt to carry her through the corporate world, the Rei is all business—with a touch of modern design that’s still chic and fashion forward. The cotton shirt features a covered placket, a center back tuxedo pleat, covered buttons at the collar and cuffs, and a keyhole above the cuffs.
How to Style It
Paired with black trousers and your favorite pumps, the Rei Shirt creates a more unique look than your average white button-down. Similarly, you can style the Rei with a pair of wide-leg trousers for an elegant style formula that’s perfect for conquering those board meetings and conference calls. To contrast the structure a bit, style it with our playful Austen Mini Skirt that can complement the buttoned-up look with a bit of fun.
For The Flashy
We all have those days and nights when we want to shine a bit more than usual. For those moments when you want to feel sexier, opt for the Metropolitan Silk Shirt. Both ultra soft and ultra slinky, this silk button-down shirt serves as a welcomed refresher in your shirting collection. The relaxed-fit shirt is made from 100% natural and biodegradable silk and viscose satin and features elongated cuffs that can be worn full length or pushed up to your length of choice. Either way, it lends a sophisticated ease to your entire look.
How to Style It
Go for a fully sleek and silky moment by styling the Metropolitan Shirt with the Cosmopolitan Silk Skirt, a sexy midi skirt that elevates a night out look to new heights with its minimal racing stripe and flattering high-waist—all that’s missing is a cocktail in hand. But the silky button-down shirt isn’t just for your nights out, it’s versatile enough for a daytime look when worn with the Kiki or Serena Pants. Whether day or night, the Metropolitan Silk Shirt is guaranteed to make you stand out in the best way possible.
Whether one or more of these shirting styles speaks to you, they can serve as the ultimate foundation to your capsule wardrobe. Scoop up your favorite style in multiple colorways or opt for your favorites—perhaps the Rei Shirt by day and the Metropolitan Silk Shirt by night or the Husband Shirt to conquer it all. Regardless of which you choose, the white button-down shirt is one of the most timeless style essentials of all time and worth taking the time to find your ideal fit. Consider it the ultimate investment piece.
