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How to Wear a Short-Sleeve Button-Up

What makes an essential wardrobe piece? It has to be timeless to wear from season to season, versatile and comfortable. But most importantly, a closet staple is one that can be styled for a variety of occasions. 

 

Short-sleeve button-ups fit the bill perfectly, and are getting noticed everywhere from your Instagram feed to paparazzi shots of your favorite A-listers. Not sure how to incorporate these shirts into your day-to-day rotation? Read on for fit tips and style ideas for dressing like the leading man you are. 

Express Mens Short-Sleeve Button-Up Shirt

How should a short-sleeve button-up fit?

 

A well-fitted short-sleeve shirt should be slim and streamlined, but not too tight. The chest buttons shouldn’t pull apart when you move, and you’ll want to make sure the sleeves end right around the bicep and fit close to your arm.
 

Should a short-sleeve button-up be tucked in?

 

That all depends on the vibe you’re going for. If you want a polished look, you can tuck your shirt into chinos or dress pants and button all the way up. For a more casual approach, leave your shirt untucked and pair with jeans or shorts.
 

Express Mens Short-Sleeve Button-Up Shirt

What do I wear with a short-sleeve button-up?

Mens Blazers


Add a blazer.


You can easily elevate a short-sleeve shirt for the office (or even a more laid-back wedding) by throwing a blazer on top. A shirt in a stripe, plaid or geometric print will pop against a neutral suit and offers a fun way to show off your personality. And once it’s happy hour time, feel free to forgo the blazer and roll up the sleeves—who’s that well-dressed guy buying everyone’s next round? Oh yeah, that’s you.

Womens Boots


Keep it short.


For a simple warm-weather ’fit that hits the mark every time (be it a summer date night or weekend in the city) start with a patterned short-sleeve shirt. Then, add solid-colored shorts to keep the look balanced and finish with slip-on sneakers. Easy, breezy, comfortable, done.

Mens T-Shirts


Layer up.


If you want to further expand your styling possibilities, you can use that short-sleeve button-up as a layering piece. Leave it unbuttoned and pop over a white t-shirt, then pair with chinos and sneakers. It shows a little more effort than just wearing jeans and a tee, but feels just as comfortable. Win-win.

Mens Short Sleeve Shirts


Make a monochrome move.


Maybe mixing colors and prints isn’t your thing. An all-black look is classic, cool and insanely easy to pull off. To add some visual intrigue, opt for a black short-sleeve shirt with texture or embroidery. Black slim jeans or straight fit jeans will work well here, and look great paired with loafers in the warmer months.

Mens Jeans


Take a walk on the light side.


Light wash jeans and long sunny days go hand and hand, so why not keep the good vibes going with an equally fresh and palette-cleansing shirt? You don’t want too much contrast here, so stick to breezy silhouettes in white or cream hues. Go ahead and add sunglasses to invite even more famous actor comparisons.