This Basic May Be "Boring," But These 6 Outfits Are Proving Otherwise

A button-down might be considered a "boring" basic, but with an influx of new trends each season, the fashion set has taken the trusted staple to new heights with a few styling tricks. The item itself may transcend trends, but it's how you incorporate elements of the current season that make the outfit feel fresh. When it was warmer, it seemed like everyone in the know was wearing punchy-colored button-down shirts layered over linen dresses or swimsuits. Now that the weather is beginning to cool, we're seeing an increase in layering with vests and suede jackets.

Ahead, you will be able to view six key ways to style a classic button-down this fall. In addition, you can shop all the button-downs worthy of copping. From outfits that are office-appropriate to ones that are perfect for that next outdoor fall activity, these no-fuss styling tricks will teach you the updates you didn't know this timeless basic needed.

@nnennaechem wearing suede blazer, striped button down, and wide-leg jeans

(Image credit: @nnennaechem)

Contrast something classic like a button-down shirt with something trendy like a corset for a truly dynamic outfit.

@salome.mory sitting down wearing a grey blazer, blue button-down, jeans, and heels

(Image credit: @salome.mory)

Button-downs and blazers always look professional paired, but jeans can help relax the outfit while still keeping it polished.

how-to-style-button-down-shirts-282997-1626451399043-main

(Image credit: @champagnemani)

This look is proof that you don't need much to partake in this simple trend. You most likely already own a button-down and jeans, and all you need to make the look feel fresher is a cool pair of sneakers and an oversize bag. The accessories always make the outfit!

@annelauremais wearing striped button-down layered over an olive green dress

(Image credit: @annelauremais)

Summer is for throwing button-downs over swimsuits, and fall is for layering them over knit dresses.

@elizagracehuber taking a mirror selfie wearing white button-down, white pants, and tan bag

(Image credit: @elizagracehuber)

You can't go wrong with the classic tonal look. Any color will work, but there's something about white on white that will always exude elegance.

@mimixn taking a mirror selfie wearing denim shirt, cuffed jeans, and black heels

(Image credit: @mimixn)

If you're looking for an easy uniform to follow this fall, let it be a double-denim look. Add accessories like a silver pendant or a suede bag and you're out the door with an easy yet stylish ensemble.

This piece was published at an earlier time and has since been updated.

Associate Fashion Editor
Yusra Siddiqui is an editor who resides in New Jersey but bounces between the suburbs and NYC. (She's a Jersey girl at heart.) After interning at Who What Wear in 2019, she found her way to the team after graduating from LIM College in 2022 with a fashion media degree. She's also spent time writing and working for publications such as Fashionista, Coveteur, and Nylon, but she always knew that Who What Wear was where she was meant to be. When she's on the job, she's perusing runway shows, analyzing the latest thing fellow Gen Zers are up to on the internet, and sharing what she can about the modest-fashion market. You can also catch her dabbling in entertainment, talking about the costume choices of the latest Netflix series or diving deeper into how the plotline affects the viewers in a myriad of ways. Lastly, she likes to create content for Who What Wear's TikTok. Her personal time is spent doing similar but also different things—deep diving into almost every new TV show (Bridgerton, Gilmore Girls, and Stranger Things are favorites), planning her next local getaway (whenever that may be), and reading the latest Emily Henry or Sally Rooney novel in one sitting.