Steven Alan is one of my favorite brands for button-down shirts. they are sturdy (made in the USA!) and come in a variety of nice prints and colors. the cut is basically a man's shirt shrunken down to a woman's size without the addition of bust or waist darts or any of those things i don't like in most women's shirts. here is part of my Steven Alan collection - the pink double-gauze in the middle is a new favorite:
i'm a big sucker for blue stripes in particular. if it's striped and it's blue i will probably buy it. the one on the left is vintage Dior Jeune Homme (shown here.) the one in the middle is by Martin Margiela Line 4 - i reach for it time and time again and never want to take it off when i wear it. the one on the right is by Rugby Ralph Lauren - a good, dependable brand and not as expensive as Steven Alan:
i also like my shirts oversized. the one on the left by JCrew (shown here) and the one on the right by H&M are actually from the men's departments. i don't think i was the only girl buying the JCrew men's shirt because they eventually made a women's version in the same fabric. the one in the middle is by CP Shades from Intermix (shown here.) it is falling apart because i wear it so much:
i'm not sure why i keep buying shirts - i suppose it's a good thing i can wear them to work. i do have a preppy side, it must be from all those years of upper east side schooling and uniforms (although i must clarify that i am a west-sider - west side is the best side! i just had to cross central park to get to school every day.) mostly the prepster in me surfaces when i have to run errands after work - i wear the same shirt and shoes i wore to work, swap out my trousers for jeans, and head out.
Martin Margiela Line 4 striped shirt; Paige denim shorts; vintage Gucci dragon belt; Tod's patent leather driving mocs; thrifted vintage army shirt (so authentic i found sand in one of the pockets - freaky!)
I love the shoes! I always try to "pull off" wearing them with shorts.. but I have wide feet and the look is so unflattering on me. :(
ReplyDeleteLove your shirt collection!
ReplyDeleteThat Dior Jeune shirt is just outstanding.
ReplyDeleteThe military doesn't wear green in the Middle East so o don't think it's from there.
ReplyDeleteFunny, I was thinking about this exact same thing today as I was wearing my J.Crew button-down. When I can't tell the difference between my button-downs anymore, its time to stop buying them...
ReplyDeleteThis was a fun kind of post, I really enjoyed it. I have a pretty tenuous relationship with button-downs: I never wear them in the winter, find myself wanting lots in the summer, and I can never seem to find the right kind. I do like the preppy connotations that classic button-downs have, but they don't really work with how I like to dress, so I'm always looking for more unusual variations.
ReplyDeleteAnon: yes, that is true. The tag on the inside of the shirt is all in Italian, with a batch date of February 1978. The store I purchased it from had a whole bunch of vintage men's clothing re-worked to fit women. Mostly khakis and Army green shirts like this one. It was very interesting...
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this post - both the style and substance. Funny, I keep trying to buy button-downs but never think of them when I'm shopping, only when I look in my closet and want to wear one...
ReplyDeletewowwie. i really REALLY like this. i'm trying to buy MORE button down shirts. i love them a lot. i think i'm also a prepster at heart and they go with everything. and since bust darts piss me off and they've started making ALL shirts in 'sheer', button downs have become my go-to when i want something a little more put together but not too.
ReplyDeletereally love the look. and that shirt was a great find. did you dust out all the sand?
I love the natural pallet and especially your shoes!
ReplyDeleteI keep buying shirts too! But I think it's part of a 'signature style'/comfort clothes thing, if it gets most wear out of anything else in the wardrobe, I guess it doesn't hurt to have many! Really love the pink one btw, I wanna see it on you!
ReplyDeleteI love that you combine preppy and edgy so well - I often find myself edging into preppy without realising it with my shirts and polo tops, without intending to at all. Go prep! xx
ReplyDeleteI am the same way when it comes to striped tees! I just can't stop buying them! Shirts on the other hand are difficult for me because of my chest, but the oversized always work! You look great!
ReplyDeletei'm not a prepster! and you got me wanting to buy penny loafers! :)
ReplyDeletethen it strikes me that all i wear is tunics and leggings right now so they'd look weird....though i have half a mind to try...
i like the look! i want button downs but they never fit me right i have more "guts" than you though ;) so they look frumpy on my frame.
these photos look like you emptied out my boyfriend's closet! he too loves steven alan and especially the pale blue stripes. i have spent endless hours with him there. now you've made me want to try on a few things for myself. i never really thought about it! they look so nice and slouchy. ~joelle
ReplyDeletewhy? they suit you so well. stick with what you love, I always think.
ReplyDelete