Saturday Style: July 23rd

How often has purchasing a button up come down to that final, dreaded button? Too much of a gap in between the fabric, and it draws attention to your hips and can look ill fitting. A small to no gap can be hard to find and means that shirt is coming home with you.

There are many menswear brands that carry shirts in a slim or super slim cut. This is a blessing and a curse for cis-female bodied people who love menswear. There are plenty of men’s button ups in smaller and sleeker silhouettes (which can be especially beneficial for those of us who have a smaller build). But it can also mean frustration when you find a piece you love, but it doesn’t fit in the hips.

I have wide hips and a smaller frame. Finding a button up that fits my hips but doesn’t look bulky in the torso and arms can be a challenge. I have more than once found a J.Crew button up I thought would look great in my wardrobe, only to discover it’s a slim. J.Crew ‘s slim shirts fit me very well in the torso but end up having too wide a gap in the last button. I’m lucky when the shirt also comes in their classic cut.

There are plenty of men’s button-ups in styles that have a broader or squarer silhouette. Try classic and casual cut shirts. For some body types these styles can further a masculine shape and perhaps solve the dreaded last button issue. For other body types these cuts only make us look smaller.

I have a couple of worker shirts from the Gap that have a square silhouette that fits me well. The last button can be done, but I often leave it open to fit the casual look that goes with the shirt.

A 1 inch gap or smaller between the button and hole of your shirt is no big thing. It still gives a professional look but with a touch of relaxed style. Or, if you want a more polished look then tuck the button up into your slacks or jeans, and that last button is unseen.

All of my formal button ups have a gap in the last button. I’ve made sure the gap is smaller so that I can wear them more often. When I’m at the office I usually tuck my shirt in. When I wear it un-tucked with jeans and sneakers I feel confident in the look.

One thing to remember, if you can squeeze that final button in, but it pulls at the fabric – unbutton it.

Try out different shirts cuts and a variety of brands to see where the last button falls. A well fitting shirt with a small space in that last button can turn into a versatile piece. And summer is a great time to experiment with more carefree styles.