Wardrobe Workhorse: Button-Down Blouses

February 23, 2021

Janet Kelly

…RIGHT: Hero Buttondown Another Hero Buttondown ($138, Anthropologie) from Grayson, this one is in a refreshing plaid for spring. Buy Now   LEFT: Silk Shirt-Surf, Parrot Paradise You can’t beat the exuberant print of Boden’s 100% Silk Shirt-Surf, Parrot Paradise…

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White Shirt Refresh

February 7, 2023

Janet Kelly

…terms button-up and button-downinterchangeably, a button-down shirt refers to shirts with collars that button down at the corners, typically Oxford shirts.” A button-up is any shirt with buttons up and down the front. EVERY SO OFTEN comes a fashion story…

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The Essential White Shirt

July 27, 2021

Janet Kelly

…Pop a pretty ruffled one under a blazer in springtime. Think celebs like Sharon Stone, who famously wore a lilac Vera Wang taffeta skirt and her then-husband’s crisp white button-down from the Gap to the 1998 Oscars. Former J. Crew…

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Come Up Short

March 12, 2024

Janet Kelly

…Free People. Gold buttons on a navy background is such a traditional look. But ba&sh tweaks it on this jacket (made of recycled cotton) with multiple pockets that hits a little high above the waist. Wear it over straight-leg pants…

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A Dozen White Shirts We Love

September 17, 2024

Janet Kelly

…days ago when my eye zeroed in on a tall young woman wearing a collarless white shirt with billowy sleeves. Leaving a couple of top buttons undone, she cinched the shirt with a thin belt around her waist, leaving the…

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Tips for Finding Your Best-Fitting Jeans

September 10, 2024

Janet Kelly

…Universal Standard will flatter a bunch of different figures. Keep the top trim. Take a Closer Look!   Claudia Slim-Fit Cropped Jeans I’d wear these mid-rise jeans (the waist hits at your belly button) with a tucked-in, oversize button-down to…

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In Search of Denim Shirts

August 11, 2020

Janet Kelly

…findings. So, below, nine different chambray tops to wear on their own, over a tank top dress, with jeans or come fall and later, with leggings as your go-to uniform. Some are traditional button-downs with patch pockets; other have stand-up…

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What We're Wearing . . . for the Pandemic

October 20, 2020

Janet Kelly

…office, occasionally I’d put on a dress, or a nice button down with my jeans. Once in a while I’ll put on a pair of black pants. I got really tired of not dressing, so now I’ll actually think about…

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Just a Few Easy Pieces

March 15, 2022

Janet Kelly

…Fast-forward to the 21st century for a peek into the offerings of five different brands that have created their own capsule wardrobes. Everlane and Cos have introduced focused edits—”Modern Essentials” and “Icons,” respectively—of wardrobe staples, like button-downs, trench coats and…

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Office Toys and Tools

August 6, 2014

Nancy McKeon

…for files and notepads, plus pen and card holders. It’s $155 from levenger.com and Levenger Tysons Corner Center, 703-288-9097. So, Staples has the “Easy” button, and now you have, um, a button that might be better kept in a real…

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The Hidden (in Virginia) Story of Brooks Brothers

October 15, 2014

Janet Kelly

…polo match in England in about 1896. He noted something odd about the players’ shirts–the points of their collars were buttoned down “so as to prevent their flapping in the wind,” the Brooks history recounts. The button-down polo shirt, offered…

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The Look for Less

May 31, 2016

Janet Kelly

…Old Navy Jersey Swing Dress in Navy/White stripe, regular price $26.94, sale price $15 online, oldnavy.com Sacai Striped Cotton Dress, $370, net-a-porter.com   The Look: Button-up Romper I’ve been on the fence about rompers for a while now, so I…

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Deliberately Undone

February 7, 2017

Janet Kelly

…us would appreciate paying more than $1,000 for. Of the three, fashion darling Monse’s off-the-shoulder corset top (a button-up-turned-bustier) is arguably the most wearable, that is if you don’t get confused about how it buttons. Finally, frequently photographed Dallas boutique…

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Big and Boxy Are Back

April 16, 2019

Janet Kelly

TOO MANY years ago to count, I owned a taupe, oversized camp shirt (at least my mother would have called it that). Wikipedia defines it as “a loose, straight-cut, woven, short-sleeved button-front shirt or blouse with a simple placket front…

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Summer Lovin' Linen Shirts

May 28, 2019

Janet Kelly

…Batik Floral Linen Tunic with decorative buttons down the pack and a pretty print sets the wardrobe refresh button. And, it’s on sale Talbot’s. $41.99. RIGHT: Keep it simple in Talbot’s Border Stripe Linen Top, $79.50. No need to spend…

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Shouldering On

August 6, 2019

Janet Kelly

…blouses come in all price ranges and materials—from a a Something Navy crewneck T-shirt to a metallic, pleated, over-the-top, Elizabethan-like blouse from Rodarte. Below, some suggested additions to hit the refresh button on the last weeks of summer.   LEFT:…

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Wear Pants Like Hepburn

November 26, 2019

Janet Kelly

…directors who frowned upon her clothing preferences. Her signature look: trousers with roomy legs paired and balanced by a classic, structured button-down or a slim turtleneck. —— To channel Hepburn’s style and sass, see our picks for pants: —— LEFT:…

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Summer Camp-Inspired Jewelry

July 20, 2021

Janet Kelly

…beads, two gold-tone plated end caps and a tan string with button closure. Or, head to Michaels, which sells all the tools and materials you need, along with instructions, to make a beachy multi-strand bracelet for a total of $110,…

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