If Carolyn Bessette Kennedy Has Your Dream Style, You Need This Closet Essential. Here Are 7 Of Them That Are Perfect.
Hint: Poplin.
Image: Getty Images | Evan Agostini
by The Candidly Team
The show Love Story may have rekindled an outpouring of love for Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s singular style. But despite the buzz, there is absolutely nothing trendy about CBK’s style itself.
Carolyn’s simple, classic elegance (verrrry slightly tinted with 90s Calvin Klein “cool girl”) is timeless to the point we haven’t stopped longing to recreate her exact looks for the past quarter of a century.
We recently wrote an entire article about all the exact pieces that help us achieve CBK’s best looks. But the truth is that it all starts with one basic thing:
The white button-down.
Image: Getty Images | Evan Agostini
She wasn’t the only person to recognize the white button-down as the ultimate sophisticated, versatile staple, but she did make it iconic by showcasing how it can transition from casj to formal, creating instantly chic and expensive looks.
Here is just a small sampling of some of the ways the crisp, white button-down has proven its worth to every wardrobe:
Image: Warner Bros. Pictures
Image: Vestron Pictures
Image: Paramount Pictures
Image: NBC
Image: NBC
Image: Paramount Pictures
Image: Sony Pictures
To capitalize on the cool, classic possibilities of a button-down, you really just have to figure out two things:
A) Which fit is for you?
B) How do you feel best styling it?
These sound like very vague questions, but don’t worry, we’re here to break it down. And we start with the seven best button-downs for seven different reasons.
1. The Best Investment You Buy Once And Love Forever
WHAT: Sold Out NYC The Everything Shirt*
Why We Love It: This crisp, luxurious, 100% cotton shirt is oversized enough to style every possible way. We tuck it into jeans, layer it under sweaters, wear it long and loose with leggings, and tie it at our waist with high-waist trousers and maxi skirts. It turns everything into a chic and balanced look. Here are some examples:
Its versatility and quality make it the one we recommend to people who prefer to invest in one really special piece rather than spend on five not-as-good variations.
Price: $195
* Gifted
2. The Best Classic Fit
WHAT: J.Crew Jules Classic-Fit Shirt In Cotton Poplin*
Why We Love It: Like their blazers, J.Crew’s button-downs are thrillingly well tailored. They also have one of the best size ranges around. This particular cut is more skimming and elongating - perfect for wearing with jeans, a black belt, and loafers or with a smoothing pencil skirt - both favorite outfit templates of CBK.
Price: $98
3. The One Inspired by Carolyn Herself
WHAT: Julia Amory The Carolyn Shirt*
Why We Love It: There is a sliiiiiightly boxy shape to this button-down that makes it especially great for those of us who tend to carry more weight around the arms and belly. The collar and placket are so chic, you can tuck the top loosely into a silk slip skirt and wear it to formal events. That said, you can just as easily pair it untucked with leggings on the weekend, and it always comes off polished and elegant without ever looking crumpled.
Price: $148
4. The Best For Looking Chic Without Having To Tuck
WHAT: Z Supply Lisette Poplin Top*
Why We Love It: Some of us are just never going to be the kind of people who are willing to fuss over a tuck. And some of us simply prefer crisp, clean lines to any poofing at the waist. In both cases, choosing a button-down with a more cropped cut can gives us all the same sophistication, while making zero effort. We love that this shirt from Z Supply hits right at the line where our high-waist jeans and pants start. We also love wearing it open over a tank with ankle jeans or shorts and strappy sandals in spring/ summer.
Price: $88
5. The Best Oversized
WHAT: AYR The Deep End*
Why We Love It: We actually debated naming this as the best overall choice, but to be fair, it’s more of an oversized Oxford style, so we figured we’d give it a more specific title. The fit is so easy and flattering with that gorj front pocket. There’s a reason every fashion mag and Oprah herself have been naming this THE white shirt of your lifetime, and it’s also why it seemingly sells out every three days despite having existed for years. The point is this is a very versatile, everyday button-down that could easily be the only one you own. And once again to showcase its versatility, here it is on one of us:
Price: $165
* Gifted
6. The Best For The Warm Months Of The Year
WHAT: J.Crew Factory Double-Gauze Button-Up Shirt*
Why We Love It: The minute temperatures rise, we LOVE having a gauzy, white button-down as a layering piece. Yes, we wear it tucked to work and with long jeans and heels on nights out, but we also wear it open over tank tops, shorts, and dresses, and tied with ankle jeans and skirts so we get a little more arm coverage in the heat. This one from J.Crew Factory is so soft and light, and the price is excellent.
* Gifted
Price: $49
7. The Best For Wearing Open And Layering
WHAT: The Bennet Buttondown Shirt by Maeve*
Why We Love It: We wrote an entire article about this best-selling button-down from Anthropologie because it more than checks all the quality boxes but is also long enough to easily style any way we like. Because there’s a split between the front and back, you can tuck or half-tuck the front and leave the back long for extra bum coverage,. You can also wear it open as a long and light outer layer, which is kind of a dream, given that most things that have that kind of coverage can read frumpy or mumu, while this makes us look chic and put together. It also sizes in plus, tall, and petite!
Price: $98
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
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