The Short Sleeve Button-Down: Your Best Summer Shirt
One of the most versatile casual, easy-to-wear summer garments is the short sleeved button-down shirt.
Perfect for all kinds of outdoor activities both casual and formal, this classic shirt style marries the conventional sharpness of the long sleeve collared dress shirt with the functionality and cool-casual look of the t-shirt.
Styling these shirts can be quite easy, though the style itself is heavily reliant on establishing the ideal fit for a casual short-sleeve shirt.
Fit
The short sleeve button-down should be fitted without being overly slim though the body. The bottom of the shirt placket should lay straight when your hands are out of your pockets; pulling apart in a slight upside-down “V” is also fine, though if this V is too wide and pronounced it can be an indication that the shirt is tight through the hips.
White linen with tortoise shell buttons and cuffed sleeves
The shirt should be a medium length, reaching to about a half-inch above the bottom of the zipper of your pants or shorts. This length will allow you to wear the shirt both tucked and untucked.
You collar can be fit a bit slimmer than your typical dress shirt collar, since the short sleeve is almost never worn with a tie. This will also allow the collar to sit a bit closer to the neck when open.
The biceps should be fitted with roughly a half-inch to an inch of extra room. Sleeve width is paramount to the fit and style of the short sleeve; biceps that are wide and ill-fitting can totally throw off the entire look of your shirt.
Light blue Oxford button-down; note the fitted biceps
Light colors tend to work best for summer button-downs. Solid white or patterned shirts with a white base will go well with darker pants (i.e., navy, grey) as well as lighter colored pants (i.e., tan, light blue or salmon).
Patterns for summer button-downs tend to be fun and floral. Embrace these patterns by utilizing solid-colored pants or shorts that compliment the color palette of your shirt.
While typically worn on their own, layering a short sleeve button-down under a blazer or suit is also an excellent way to stay cool during a hot summer wedding.
Lastly, cuffing your sleeves will give your short sleeve button-down a sharper, more fitted look around your bicep. Even the skinniest of guys will find that a one-inch sleeve cuff will compliment their arms much better than a straight sleeve!
