Button-down woven shirts weren’t popular in the comments on the knits vs. wovens post a few days ago. Lack of comfort, tricky fit, severe look and overly formal appearance were the complaints. But I’m sticking up for the item today because there are many ways you can make the right one work in your wardrobe.

YLF forum member Julia was the inspiration for today’s post. She gave an old yellow striped button-down shirt new life by layering it with fun items and combining key accessories. The lesson is that we shouldn’t think of a button-down shirt as a wow-top that stands alone (unless it’s an Anne Fontaine). Instead, think of it as a vehicle that enables other items to shine.

Button–downs are great when layered under waistcoats and knitwear, belted in at the waist or peeping out from under tailored jackets. I like to tuck them into pencil skirts, pop the collar and scrunch up the sleeves. I also like to wear them un-tucked over skinny jeans with heels and a statement necklace. I’ve just purchased a grey and white baby pinstripe button-down shirt with exaggerated white French cuffs and collar. I can’t wait to belt it under my biker jacket with pearls.

Go beyond the conventional, strict, masculine button-down shirt. The right shirt can look soft, pretty and delicate if the cut, colour and fabrication is just so. My wardrobe wouldn’t function without fabulous black, white and cream button-downs. They aren’t a wardrobe must, but they can add style and spunk to your look if you’re creative with your outfits. They are also a great way to bridge the gap between different items. I encourage you to give them a second chance

J. Crew usually does a wonderful job of integrating an assortment of basic button-downs into their collection.

I adore cowl neck tops, but they are hard to find. Cowls can work for both busty and less endowed gals if the details are right. Here are a few guidelines:

• Wear a camisole if the cowl is low. It’s instantly work appropriate and wearable that way.
• Choose knits and wovens that drape. You’re after a cowl with maximum drape because they’re less bulky this way. Stay away from cowls in stiff fabrics unless they’re meticulously engineered (you’ll find these highly structured cowls in designer wear).
• Exploit the cowl’s vertical appeal. It elongates the neck and creates the illusion of height. Furthermore, if the edge of the cowl starts close to shoulder-neck-point, women with dainty shoulders and long necks are in business. (Yay! That’s me).
• Use them for visual interest. Cowls look great under jackets, cardigans or waistcoats, and on their own. Their ripple effect is attractive and punchy.

If you own cowl neck tops, tell me you love them too. If you don’t, start experimenting . It might take a while to find one that drapes the right way, but chances are high you’ll become a cowl convert too.

An assortment of Summer cowl neck tops. In cooler weather the neckline works just as well with longer sleeves and thicker fabrics, as long as there’s maximum drape-ability.

If you’re going to go un-tucked, then tops that look good with skirts are not the same tops that look good with pants or jeans. Length is the key issue:

• Skirts look best with tailored tops that are shorter in length. This is especially true of A-line skirts where it’s imperative to accentuate the waistline (volume on top of volume doesn’t work). Keep the hem of the top on or just above hipbone depending on where the waist of the skirt sits on the body. A longer top worn out over skirts looks disproportionate and sloppy.
• Pants look best with tops that are 1 to 3 inches above crotch point (unless it’s a tunic, which is a completely different look). A longer vertical line is achieved, which is especially effective on pretty pear body types. You can find your personal best length with some experimentation. Height, torso length and thigh width come into play.

Occasionally you’ll get away with wearing a longer top with skirts by adding a waist-cinching belt. This shortens the length of the top and the right proportions fall into place. You could also tuck in a longer top. It’s a little harder to do, but there’s a lot of that going on this season. A topic for another day.

Shorter tops worn at flattering hipbone length with flared skirts.