8 of the Best White Button-Front Shirts for Women

It’s the classic wardrobe staple that stylish women use over and over to create a little magic. But I’ve discovered that any old white shirt just won’t do. To really look effortlessly polished and oh so chic in a white shirt outfit, you need a shirt that feels comfortable enough to wear on repeat, one that fits like it was made specifically for you but also one that appears to have come straight from your man’s closet. Chasing after that unicorn can make you want to throw in the shirt on the whole concept. But after “kissing a lot of frogs” I’ve finally found a prince of a shirt. In fact, I’ve found eight of them! So today I’m sharing 8 of the best white button-front shirts for women.

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My mother told me for years that stylish women always keep a crisp white button-front shirt at the handy. Occasionally she would even point out a woman wearing a simple white shirt with jeans or trousers and comment on how smart she looked. She was right. Those women looked cool as a cucumber, stylish without the fuss.

I could see the value in this closet staple, but every shirt I tried underwhelmed me. Bottom line? They felt uncomfortable, stiff, tight in the shoulders, gaping at the bosom or even scratchy. For years I abandoned my search for the elusive white button-front shirt. But a couple of years ago I became intrigued by this stylish woman’s workhorse again, especially when I noticed them popping up everywhere. Since then I’ve learned a thing or two about the distinguishing marks of the best white button-front shirts, and I’ve found eight I can wholeheartedly endorse.

My collection ranges in price from $65 to $288, and I’ve listed them in order from lowest priced to highest. While you can definitely find good shirts at lower prices, this is one of those categories where you quickly see that you get what you pay for. The higher priced shirts I’m sharing have some pretty impressive bells and whistles.

Everyday Oversized Pocket Shirt

• 55% Cotton 45% Modal
• Machine Washable
• Regularly $64.95
• Fits true to size; wearing a medium
• Available in Regular and Petites: XXS to XXL

While I know many of my readers may love the no-iron shirts that some of our favorite retailers feature, I like for my shirts to have a softer, gentler hand. This Loft oversized classic shirt is not too thin, but not too thick either. It does feature a button right between the breast that helps to eliminate gaping. But really this everyday oversized pocket shirt should fit a little roomy anyhow. I’ve styled it very casually above, but you can certainly button up and tuck in for a more traditional vibe. This is a great shirt for the price.

The Cooling Button-Front Shirt

• 57% BCI cotton/39% recycled polyester/4% spandex
• Machine wash
• Regularly $79.95
• Fits TTS; wearing a medium
• Available in XS to 3X

This Lands’ End cooling button front shirt is constructed in a slightly heavier fabric with more body. I have it styled here for a traditional look, but it does have a shirttail hem so you can still achieve that more casual vibe if you prefer. The collar and cuffs are stiffer than those of most of the other shirts I’m wearing. But at the price, this is a great shirt. For a more oversized fit I would consider sizing up.

Chlo Shirt

• 82% 0rganic cotton – textile made from organic fibers, 18% Recycled polyester
• Wash at or below 30°C
• Regularly $125
• Fits true to size; wearing a medium
• Available in 0 to 16

The Chlo ruffle collar shirt from Sézane definitely is not a traditional button-front shirt. But I decided to include it since I do think it can accomplish the same purposes in your wardrobe, especially if your style aesthetic is more feminine or romantic. The guipure lace is just lovely and feels soft on the skin. You could wear a camisole under this shirt if you feel it is necessary. But I feel comfortable without one. The shirt comes in other colors and fabrics as well.

Kayla Shirt

• 100% Cotton
• Machine wash cold, no bleach. Tumble dry low. (I lay mine on a drying rack to dry.)
• Regularly $218
• Fits true to size; Wearing a medium
• Available in XS to XL

The Citizens of Humanity kayla shirt is probably my favorite shirt for year-round wear. It’s a timeless button-up, cut from ultra-lightweight cotton poplin with an airy, breathable hand. I love the extra seam down the sleeve, the breast pocket and the pleat in the back. But the best feature of all?

This crisp white button-up shirt has an extra button hole on the cuff and buttons along the sleeve so that you can scrunch the sleeves and fasten them into place. No one is the wiser, but you look cool and styled. LOVE this shirt! It comes in other colors, and I do have it in the banker blue, too. Of the premium shirts I’m showing, this one has some of the coolest details and is the lowest priced.

The Everyday Shirt in Salt White

• 65% Polyester/35% Cotton
• Label says to dry clean, but I wash in the machine and lay flat on rack to dry
• Regularly $238
• Fits true to size; wearing a medium
• Available in XS to L

The Brochu Walker everyday shirt is constructed in a slightly thick polyester and cotton blend that looks like a true cotton shirt but feels silky soft to the touch. It really is an amazing fabric. I’m not sure what Brochu Walker does to create their signature fabric, but it’s a whole different animal – luxe and addictive. This shirt features beautiful details like a locker loop in the back and grosgrain detail on the cuffs and button placket. It’s my top choice for a more structured shirt.

The Eileen

• Numerous fabric options; mine is Superluxe, 100% Italian cotton
• machine wash cold, and tumble dry low
• Regularly $258
• Fits true to size; wearing a medium
• Available in XXS – XL

I have the Eileen shirt from Frank & Eileen in many fabrications and colors, but not the white cotton. I’d love to order the white Superluxe Regenerative Cotton shirt, but do I really need it? No. But I can tell you that these shirts are always super soft on the skin and fit a woman’s body beautifully. They’re cut a little shorter than others, so they work beautifully left untucked. The sleeves are ample and the top button is the one right at the breastbone. If you want something other than a white shirt, check out their full collection. These are my favorite button-front shirts over all, but I just don’t have the white cotton one.

The Pia Shirt

• 65% Polyester/35% Cotton
• Label says to dry clean, but I wash in the machine and lay flat on rack to dry
• Regularly $268
• Fits true to size; wearing a large here for an oversized fit, but I also have the medium in Oxford stripe
• Available in XS to L

The Brochu Walker pia shirt is also constructed in their signature polyester and cotton blend for that silky hand with plenty of body. It’s a beautiful shirt on the body. That’s because it features a beautiful spread collar, that perfectly placed top button, a slightly relaxed fit and pre-styled sleeves.

So yes, the sleeves are sewn in that way. And by the way, they are lined inside, but so comfortably you never know it. Anyhow that way you don’t feel all the scrunching. I’ve been wearing this shirt and my Oxford stripe one on repeat during the early fall because they’re perfect for this warm weather. I’ll tuck them away for winter, but bring them out again in the spring.

And that brings us to my final pick of the button-front shirts…

The Daily Shirt

• 100% woven cotton
• wash in cold, line dry
• Regularly $288
• Runs true to size; wearing a medium
• Available in XS – L

You can probably see right away that this is not your husband’s white shirt. Well, it once was. This shirt is actually made just like the others, but the creator added a couple of pink buttons along the side and an internal button or two so you can easily wrap and secure. You can also wear it in the traditional way, but the pink buttons are visible.

So it’s quite the novelty, but the daily shirt from Cissa is meant to be styled and enjoyed year after year. Especially if you love to style your clothes a little differently and show up more boldly, this could be the shirt for you. It’s quite the investment, but if it fits your wardrobe…it fits! I do like it, but I don’t think this is one I’ll reach for very often.

Obviously there are other shirts that could make this list. But these are my favorites. I don’t prefer the no-iron button-front shirts because I like a gentler drape and a little more body than those generally have. Add to that, I actually love to iron. So cotton button-front shirts and me, we’re a good fit! But if you have a shirt you love and feel good about recommending to 20,000+ other women, please do share in the comments. Thanks so much for dropping in!

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