This is the best plain button down

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What makes a button-down shirt good? I’ve broken it down before, and understanding what you need from a shirt (e.g. how you wear it) is a helpful exercise when you’re looking for insights to inform your dressing behavior — the skill of fishing as opposed to the actual fish, but in the event that “when you know, you just know,” is an adequate enough explanation for you, this shirt, from the Australian brand, LMND, is the tinned sardine of all button-downs.

I’ll show you why:

LMND white shirt, old, old, old H&M sequined tank (here is a good comp from Etsy, or I love these mesh ones — very Saint Laurent), Sea New York shorts, Les Belles socks, Soque Paris shoes

It’s rendered in that kind of cotton that always looks like it’s a tad wrinkled which can subtly casualize a sequined top, like in the example of the above outfit. Can also make less overtly seductive the dramatic wearing of a neglige-as-dress without killing the at-home-in-bed-even-though-I’m-also-out vibe, as seen here:

If Morticia Adams were the protagonist in the movie Risky Business. The belt is from Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini; here’s a sleeker one from Lemaire and you know what? Now that I see this one, I think crochet could have been a better idea. Meanwhile, if I had a sheer slip skirt, like this one from Dries, I’d have just used it instead of a dress. Here are good socks for this from Comme Si and the loafers are by Jamie Haller.

I defer to the previous crochet belt; the slingbacks are Saint Laurent and Emi Mess trousers; these are a different shape but I found them last week when I was doing market for the Friday newsletter and I’m really into them

Looks great layered into a pair of trousers, and in fact is also a good foil for wooly pants bc it gives them a whiff of lightheartnedness. Also flimsy enough in fabric to tuck in creatively — like by not buttoning either side of the buttons and instead crossing them over into the pants. Something about how flimsy and slight the collar is actually works to its benefit.

And a Don’t Let Disco necklace!

^^ See what I mean?

But the shirt doesn’t have to perform a fancy trick like in the above. The shape is a perfect, loopdi loop-hoop that falls over your top half with little effort:

What I mean by loopdi loop-hoop is that it’s like, rounded and doesn’t take to the shape of your form, but doesn’t obliterate you/your chest in the process either — making you look neither bigger nor smaller than you actually are. The skirt is from a tiny shop in Brooklyn called By Liv, and the boots are Toteme. IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR BOOT CONTENT HOLD ON TO YOUR SEAT BECAUSE A FULL BREAKDOWN OF WHAT MAKES BUYING A PAIR WORTH IT COMES NEXT WEEK

But if you want to do tricks, you totally can. Like in the instance of this sweater-vest look, so perfect for the Jewish holidays:

Can you believe they (the Jewish holidays) are still in progress? It’s sukkot right now! Big shalosh regalim energy, which probably means nothing to you, and that is totally okay. The skirt here is Chloe from when Claire Waight-Keller still designed, the socks are Les Belles, the shoes are Prada and the sweater vest is Sea New York; this one is so cute too. If you want more sweater-vest inspo, there’s a newsletter for that.

And works as the aforementioned vest’s overlayer, too:

Here are some genius pants from Tibi — they could be worn long enough to procure a puddle hem or there are these secret snaps inside the part of the pant, so you can snap them and create fun ruche effect. Looks like they come in a brown suede effect, too. The ballet flats are from The Row, here’s a similar point toe pair from Net — also like these a lot from Tory Burch

Same concept, different vibe with this By Malene Birger leather vest styled over the shirt and a Courreges skirt.

Another example of a no-frill look here:

I call this one, “Harvest season in Ibiza,” with a pair of terrycloth checker pants from La Veste (quasi-fitted sweatpants like these ones would work just as well), a t-shirt from Cos (still the best one), and boots from The Row (on sale here and here). Or…don’t sleep on these rubber recs if you’re into them.

In terms of shapes! I said nothing about materials or colors. But color doesn’t really matter and neither does how you tuck it:

Hello, welcome to my phone pole, it’s great to meet you. That’s a Dior silk scarf wrapped into a belt around my waist, the jeans are Re/Done/Levi’s — these ones are amazing too — no stretch if you’re going for them, so size up 1x; and the boots are The Row, from a super Net sale last summer; here they are also on sale in cream. If you’re a size 6, here’s a Prada Sport pair — a little taller and shinier in a sz 9 here too

For the main event though, I offer this sandwich:

w ketchup and all! The jacket is from Weyhe, the turtleneck is Polo Ralph Lauren; this one will do — let Talbots back into your closet! the skirt is Maria McManus; this one from Gabriel Forsach is a delight too, the socks are Falke and the shoes are Toteme. Was loosely channeling Miu Miu Fall and Spring 2022:

How’d I do?

In conclusion, this shirt is a great overlayer, underlayer and sport in between. The collar is flimsy enough not to take on too striking an identity of its own, but confident enough that it works styled into a sweater or jacket. The fabric is lightweight without feeling too summer-y, making it a great contrast to heavy winter knits or formal skirts/pants/dresses because it’s also so casual. And to this point, another key: it does great in the washing machine! Truly the easiest piece of clothing I own. And makes for a good muse of poetry, too.

Also, though, when you know, you know. And I’m telling you! I know.

Have a great of your week and I’ll see you Friday at Cafe Leandra — sincerely yours,

The aforementioned Leandra