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Where to find nice women''s button-down shirts?

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Octavia

Octavia

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Oct 28, 2007
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I''m close to my wits end with this. It''s so easy to find men''s button-downs but completely hit-or-miss for women! I need to restock and I''m having a hard time finding shirts that are actually shaped for a female torso, don''t cost a fortune, and are in decent colors. Most of the stores in my normal price range (LOFT, Gap, etc) don''t even have any oxford-style shirts right now. Brooks Brothers and Thomas Pink have beautiful ones but are too expensive for me to really justify. Banana and Ann Taylor have some but they''re barely cheaper than BB and don''t feel half as nice. I''m stuck! Help, please? I just need a conservative, professional, collared shirt that goes nicely under a suit jacket, it shouldn''t be so hard!
 
First off, there''s nothing wrong with splurging on a very high quality item that you''ll get lots of use out of. I think PINK is way too over priced, but BB is pretty reasonable if they have what you''re looking for. Do you have a BB outlet close by?

Also, Jcrew used to have button downs at one time or another. I don''t shop there any more so I can''t tell you if they still do, but it''s worth a shot. You could also try your local Lord & Taylor, Nordstroms, Bloomingdales, etc.
 
True, Hudson, but for whatever reason I tend to get much sweatier in these kind of shirts than usual (maybe from having the jacket over them, but it happens even when I wear them alone...it's really weird) so they don't actually last me as long as I'd like. That's why I don't necessarily want to spend a lot. I don't think we have a Brooks Brothers outlet nearby, but next time I'm near one I'll definitely check it out. That sounds like a great option.

In the meantime, does anyone know of specific brands at department stores? Maybe I'm just directionally challenged, but I can honestly never find them in the women's sections. Men's is easy because they keep all the brands together, so buying for DH is quick and easy. But I feel like I'm hunting for the proverbial needle in a haystack when I try to find shirts for me in department stores.

ETA: thanks for the link, Mrs M! They look really nice and shipping charges to the US don't look too horrible, so I'll definitely consider these.
 
How about Express, New York & Company, or H&M? I have found some very nice professional looking (and comfortable) collared, button down shirts there for reasonable prices.
 
Hmm, I''ll have to try those stores, Tuckins. I haven''t shopped at Express in years, since they changed their focus from grown-up to trashy. Then again, I have no idea what they focus on now because I haven''t been there! I''ve never liked most of New York & Co.''s clothing, but maybe I should give it another try. And I''ve actually bought button-down shirts from H&M before but they were always more fun than conservative, and usually fell apart pretty quickly. Thanks for reminding me of these places, I usually walk right past them without even looking.
 
My favourite button downs are from the gap - they used to sell these fitted oxfords in all sorts of colours (not too tight, but contoured - very appropriate for the office!). I havent seen them there in years though
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Watching this thread with interest!
 
I hear you on it being a pain trying to find button down shirts. I have a hard time too because of my weird (according to clothing manufacturers) proportions.
 
Date: 2/25/2010 5:02:32 PM
Author: Octavia
Hmm, I''ll have to try those stores, Tuckins. I haven''t shopped at Express in years, since they changed their focus from grown-up to trashy. Then again, I have no idea what they focus on now because I haven''t been there! I''ve never liked most of New York & Co.''s clothing, but maybe I should give it another try. And I''ve actually bought button-down shirts from H&M before but they were always more fun than conservative, and usually fell apart pretty quickly. Thanks for reminding me of these places, I usually walk right past them without even looking.
Click to expand...
Actually Express sells mostly work clothing now...also try The Limited.
 
Date: 2/25/2010 5:14:04 PM
Author: sunnyd

Date: 2/25/2010 5:02:32 PM
Author: Octavia
Hmm, I''ll have to try those stores, Tuckins. I haven''t shopped at Express in years, since they changed their focus from grown-up to trashy. Then again, I have no idea what they focus on now because I haven''t been there! I''ve never liked most of New York & Co.''s clothing, but maybe I should give it another try. And I''ve actually bought button-down shirts from H&M before but they were always more fun than conservative, and usually fell apart pretty quickly. Thanks for reminding me of these places, I usually walk right past them without even looking.
Click to expand...
Actually Express sells mostly work clothing now...also try The Limited.
Click to expand...
Wow. I should shop at your Express.

The ones by me now are all clubbing clothes.
 
Date: 2/25/2010 5:17:19 PM
Author: elledizzy5

Date: 2/25/2010 5:14:04 PM
Author: sunnyd


Date: 2/25/2010 5:02:32 PM
Author: Octavia
Hmm, I''ll have to try those stores, Tuckins. I haven''t shopped at Express in years, since they changed their focus from grown-up to trashy. Then again, I have no idea what they focus on now because I haven''t been there! I''ve never liked most of New York & Co.''s clothing, but maybe I should give it another try. And I''ve actually bought button-down shirts from H&M before but they were always more fun than conservative, and usually fell apart pretty quickly. Thanks for reminding me of these places, I usually walk right past them without even looking.
Click to expand...
Actually Express sells mostly work clothing now...also try The Limited.
Click to expand...
Wow. I should shop at your Express.

The ones by me now are all clubbing clothes.
Click to expand...
Really? Weird! I guess it depends on the location, but the one downtown''s biggest section is work stuff, a small clubby thing and a smaller lounge section. Ha!

Their button downs are perfectly fitted, I think, you could order online.
 
Maybe try Lands End

I second Brooks Brothers

Talbots ?

what about a boys shirt ?
 
Dittoing express and the limited. Both have very nice fitted button down shirts. I love them!
 
I''d try Land''s End or Talbot''s.
 
Definitely try Express for nice button ups. They''re not super expensive and they fit well.
 
Awesome, I''ll swing by Express tomorrow and see if the shirts fit me well. It looks like they''re having a buy one, get one 50% off promo right now, too!
 
I get mine at Lands End.
 
I love Eddie Bauer for good quality and nice fitting shirts.
http://www.eddiebauer.com/EB/Women/Shirts--Blouses/index.cat

Scroll down for the oxford shirts.
They have different fits for different shapes and I love the wrinkle resistant shirts. They stay crisp looking all day.
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J.Crew used to have really great oxford button-downs but they''re few and far between nowadays. They do still make a nice cotton + stretch slim fit button-down that comes in petite, regular, and tall sizes and the colors are usually pretty. If you can catch them on sale I think they retail at $39.99 as opposed to $60+. They mix in some other nice button-downs in regular sizes every season. I''m wearing one right now I''ve had since 2007 I think and it has been quite durable and I''m not really easy on my clothing i.e. throwing in shirts with jeans and towels on permanent press all the time. I preach the wonders of J. Crew here consistently mainly because they offer tall sizes and I need the extra arm and torso length as well as inseam length...but they also carry regulars and petites. If you''re a "special" size meaning petite or tall you can sign up for their email notifications and catch free shipping on orders of $175 or more most weeks. Or if you go to the store itself they''ll order for you and not charge shipping if you need special sizes.

Express did, indeed, used to carry more professional looks maybe 5-10 years ago...the Ltd., it seems does more of that now than Exp. Neither of those stores works for me since I''m tall and need professional clothing that covers my wrists and midriff, hee hee.
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I''ve had luck at Old Navy, Gap and H&M.
 
BB
RL
Talbots
 
I like banana Republic for the modern cuts and sleeve details. They sometimes offer fabric with a silky sheen stripe or angle and I like those details too. Some are french cuffs which give you another option for bling.

Ann Taylor or Red Door always have classic fit. More of the hang out ones though.

I got a few stretch ones from the limited :edited...it was EXPRESS, and they still look great-they have poly in them or lycra.

Looks like all brands have already been mentioned. The spring summer lines are in...so you can still pick up some clearanced shirts. Many are the same weight...have you tried that yet? White house has feminine ones...but don't recall button down feature.

You know, I think it depends on what fit you like. I like more modern tailored fitted look like you and short tail while others prefer a fuller cut with a long tail. Eddie Bauer has some sturdy ones, but I think they are long tails.

Octavia...I too get much hotter in this style of shirt! I thought I was the only one! SPECIAL! Glad to know you do too...I mean not that you are uncomfortable...I mean oh never mind...argghh!
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I think that you should splurge on Brooks Brothers - even if you only get 2 or 3 shirts, you can rotate them - it''s more important to have a few high-quality than several that don''t fit (& that you won''t ever wear).

My old job required me to wear suits, and when I needed to wear a button down, BB made the only ones that fit me - I am busty with a small waist, so I always had the problem that shirts in my size bulged & gaped at the bust, and you could see my bra. I had probably a dozen cheaper ones that I could never really wear, but I finally invested in a couple of good ones from BB that I wore all the time.
 
Date: 2/25/2010 9:49:58 PM
Author: CasaBlanca
You know, I think it depends on what fit you like. I like more modern tailored fitted look like you and short tail while others prefer a fuller cut with a long tail. Eddie Bauer has some sturdy ones, but I think they are long tails.


Octavia...I too get much hotter in this style of shirt! I thought I was the only one! SPECIAL! Glad to know you do too...I mean not that you are uncomfortable...I mean oh never mind...argghh!
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Click to expand...

I know what you mean...I'm also a bit relieved to know that I'm not the only one! For whatever reason, my body just doesn't like the woven fabric or something.

Like you, I like a more tailored look. If it doesn't have darts in the front, it's probably not going to work for me. I'm not that busty, but I always have the same problem as Vesper, that if the shirts aren't tailored properly they are either huge at the waist or gape at the bust buttons. For those of you who like Lands End, are the shirts as boxy as they look from the site's photos? Also, has Talbot's started carrying any smaller sizes? The smallest I ever saw was a 4, which is always too big for me, so I stopped trying to shop there. The Eddie Bauer shirts look surprisingly well-fitted, so they could be worth a try, too. But like Banana and Ann Taylor, they're pricey enough that I might as well just spend a few bucks more and go to Brooks Brothers, which seems to have the best options for finding the right fit and, of course, the proper colors.

I'm planning to do some serious shirt-shopping this weekend, since I have an interview on Tuesday and just got rid of a lot of my old ill-fitting or grungy ones, so I'll make sure to update afterward. In the meantime, keep the suggestions coming!
 
I love Banana Republic''s button down shirts. They often have great detailing, too.

The BR by me has been having killer sales lately, too.
 
Do you have ROSS, TJMax, or Marshalls near where you live?

I just hit TJMax for my cookware needs....and they have some REALLY great ones with front darts , two sets actually. I was in a hurry all I saw was white but they did have 2''s and 4''s. $24.99 and $34 I think. The work seemed quality, but I didn''t recognize the brand. (I don''t get out much!)

Last week Ross had some Calvin Klein White small collared, (but I don''t specificially recall button down collar) with darts and rounded pearl buttons they were cheap, but I can''t remember the price. They had some express (the tag express) had been marked through with a black marker but they were also under $30. And some Liz Claiborne in pastels like a lilac and a pink. Of of these were fitted...not full bodied.

Both those stores have petite sections. Are petite sleeves long enough for you?

Talbots (I said red door above) does carry size 2, Perhaps they get snatched up quick?

Oh, I have an express shirt that I was hesitant to buy, it was rouched (is the correct spelling?) at the sides and it has ended up being my MOST fav classic shirt. That detail replaced the darts and I just wanted to encourage you not to pass one up if you see it. It has darts in the back, so it is truly fitted. And very figure flattering.

One more store suggestion, is Dillards. They have a really modern section that surely you will find the fit you want. Macys is having a Huge sale on Saturday, but a fast internet search I couldn''t find all the features you wanted...tons of 3/4 sleeves though!

I see you are in a time crunch. I would call ahead to the stores (the department ones) and request they pull them for you! They know where to look, it may shave some time off your stops.

Best of luck!
 
I second The Limited or TJ Maxx if you have a bit more patience to sort through things.
 
All of mine are from Brooks Brothers or Thomas Pink, but both also have lots of sales. Just get on their mailing lists.
 
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