Decoded: How To Make Your Basic Button-Down Shirt Instantly More Expen

We're sharing our comprehensive guide on making the button-down shirt in the back of the closet look instantly more expensive through a few easy-to-copy simple outfit formulas and straightforward styling tips. Trust us, these 9 button-down-shirt outfit ideas will transform this "stale" item into something truly sophisticated—sans extra forethought or effort.

Tip #1: Add Base Layers

WEAR: Sunglasses + White Button-Down Shirt + White Tank Top + Black Capri Pants + Black Shoulder Bag + Black Mules

how to make a button-down shirt look more expensive is shown in a photo of a woman standing on the sidewalk in London wearing a white button-down shirt over a white tank top with black capri pants, black sunglasses, a black shoulder bag, and black mules

Styling Notes: It might not sound groundbreaking, but one of the simplest ways to make any button-down shirt look more expensive is to start by adding base layers to your look. There's something about an exposed tank-top or T-shirt under a slightly open button-down shirt that will always scream "money."

Tip #2: Layer A Cardigan On Top

WEAR: Brown Cardigan + White T-Shirt + Brown Button-Down Shirt + Brown Belt + White Jeans + Brown Pumps

how to make a button-down shirt look more expensive is shown in a photo of a woman walking down the sidewalk in Paris wearing a brown cardigan layered over her shoulders styled with a white t-shirt under a brown button-down shirt, brown belt, white baggy jeans, and brown pumps

Styling Notes: On top of adding base layers to your button-down-shirt outfit, there's another way to make this staple look more expensive: add a cardigan over the shoulders. By incorporating light top layers into your look, you'll tap into the inate preppiness of this piece in a way that will have everyone whispering "they're so posh" when you walk by them.

Tip #3: Incorporate A Menswear Tie

WEAR: Black Eyeglasses + Trench Coat + White Button-Down Shirt + Black Tie + Black Belt + Black Trousers + Black Kitten Heels + Black Structured Handbag

how to make a button-down shirt look more expensive is shown in a photo of a woman outside leaning against a wall wearing black glasses with a tan trench coat layered over a white button-down shirt styled with a black tie, black belt, black trousers, black kitten heels, and a black structured handbag

Styling Notes: While styling your button-down shirt in a more prep-inspired way is always a safe bet, it won't necessarily stir up excitement. Thankfully, there's another place you can draw inspiration from while styling this staple: the menswear department. Frankly, there's no better way to make a woman's button-down shirt feel a bit spicier than by styling it with a tie stolen from your favorite guy—sharing is caring, after all!

Tip #4: Pair With A Tailored Blazer

WEAR: Black Tailored Blazer + White T-Shirt + Striped Button-Down Shirt + Black Belt + Baggy Jeans + Black Loafers + Black Barrel Bag

how to make a button-down shirt look more expensive is shown in a photo of a woman standing outside against a wall wearing a black blazer over a gray and white striped button-down shirt that's layered over a white t-shirt both of which are tucked into a pair of baggy jeans that are styled with a black belt, black loafers, and a black barrel bag

Styling Notes: For a more casual approach to styling this classic suiting separate, ditch the tie in place of a tailored blazer. No matter the shape of blazer—be it one with a boxier fit, a nipped-in waist, or a cropped iteration—styling it with your button-down shirt is a more straightforward way to lean into the "masculine" aspect of this staple without having to raid the menswear department.

Tip #5: Belt It

WEAR: Black Sunglasses + Silver Hoops + Black Blazer + White Button-Down + Brown Rope Belt + Brown Shoulder Bag + Black Trousers + Black Heeled Mules

how to make a button-down shirt look more expensive is shown in a photo of a woman standing outside on the sidewalk in New York wearing black sunglasses, silver hoops, a white button-down shirt under a black tailored blazer with a brown rope belt layered on top styled with a brown shoulder bag, black trousers, and black heeled mules

Styling Notes: In addition to adding a blazer to your look, you can make an oversize shirt look more tailored by belting it. Incorporating a belt is a simple but sophisticated way to make a button-down shirt look like it was made specifically for you (even if you bought it from a run-of-the-mill box store).

Tip #6: Cuff It

WEAR: Black Sunglasses + Gold Earrings + Black T-Shirt + Black Striped Button-Down Shirt + Gold Chunky Cuff Bracelet + Black Belt + Black Trousers + Black Bowler Bag + Black Flats

How to make a button-down shirt look more expensive is shown in a photo of a woman walking down the sidewalk wearing a black t-shirt layered under a black striped button-down shirt with a chunky gold cuff bracelet layered over the sleeve styled with black sunglasses, gold earrings, a black belt, black trousers, black flats, and a black bowler bag

Styling Notes: Belts are the only way to adapt the portions of your button-down shirt—enter chunky cuff bracelets into the chat. If you have an oversize button-down with sleeves that are a little too large, consider layering cuff bracelets on top of them to make the piece feel more tailored (without actually having to take it to a tailor).

Tip #7: Bunch It Up With A Brooch

WEAR: Stacked Silver Rings + Yellow Pinstripe Button-Down Shirt + Silver Brooch + White Trousers + Slide Sandals

how to make a button-down shirt look more expensive is shown in a close mirror selfie photo of a woman wearing a yellow pinstripe button-down shirt bunched at the waist with a silver brooch styled with silver rings and white trousers

Styling Notes: Another type of jewelry that can make even this "simple" shirt feel more sophisticated: a brooch. While most might consider adding this jewelry to the lapel, if you want to make it look even cooler, try bunching your shirt around the waist using a brooch (as shown above). It will not only make an oversize shirt more fitted but also surely catch everyone's attention.

Tip #8: Go Oversize

WEAR: Black Sunglasses + Black Oversize Button-Down Shirt + Black Watch + Black Tote Bag + Black Maxi Skirt + Black Flip-Flops

How to make a button-down shirt look more expensive is shown in a photo of a woman standing on an escalator wearing black sunglasses with a black oversized button-down shirt, a black watch, a black tote bag, a black maxi skirt, and black flip flops

Styling Notes: When you don't feel like putting a ton of effort into styling this staple in new ways, consider one of the oldest hacks in the book: Go for an oversize silhouette. Opting for an extra-large button-down shirt basically does all the work of making your ensemble feel more elegant with little effort.

Tip #9: Wear Your Button-Down Like a Dress

WEAR: Black Sunglasses + Long Necklace + Oversize Navy Button-Down Shirt + Black Handbag + Black Slide Sandals

how to make a button-down shirt look more expensive is shown in a photo of a woman standing in a garage wearing black sunglasses, a long necklace, and an oversized navy button-down shirt as a dress that's styled with black slide sandals and a black handbag

Styling Notes: You can lean into the oversize silhouette even further by styling your button-down shirt as a minidress. If this styling hack feels a little too risqué for your taste, consider investing in a shirtdress or styling your oversize button-down with slide sandals to give it a more casual feel (as shown above) to make it more appropriate.