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There are many different shirt types in the print-on-demand market, and you might see button-up and button-down shirts in suppliers’ catalogs. It might confuse you and make you wonder what the difference is between these types of shirts.
At first glance, they look quite the same, so you’re not alone if you’re unsure which word to use in your product listings or mockups. Therefore, understanding the difference between these distinctions is more than just a matter of vocabulary. It also helps you label your products correctly, attract the right buyers, and avoid misleading customers.
In this blog post, we’ll explain the meaning of button-up and button-down shirts and how to spot the difference between them.
What is a Button-Up Shirt?
As its name suggests, a button-up shirt is a traditional shirt with a row of buttons running down the front. This is a versatile, easy-to-match item, suitable for many different occasions: from work, dating, to attending a fancy party.
This type of shirt often comes with many collar styles, such as pointed, flared, or button-down collars. To increase formality, you can combine it with a tie, wear it under a sweater, or wear it with a blazer. This is a must-have option if you want to expand your shirt line for customers who need elegant clothes.
For example, All-over Print Button-up Shirts from popular POD suppliers like Merchize or Printful are favored thanks to their unisex sizing and relaxed fit, which is suitable for a wide range of body types. Made with lightweight polyester or poly-spandex fabric, they’re designed for vibrant, edge-to-edge printing while still providing comfort and a neat look throughout the day. These features make them an excellent choice for POD sellers looking to create unique, stylish shirt designs.
What is a Button-Down Shirt?
The button-down shirt is often mentioned together with the Oxford shirt. This shirt comes with two small buttons at the collar, helping to secure the collar to the shirt’s body. This design was born in the late 19th century, when polo players wanted to keep their collars from flying when playing. This detail makes the button-down shirt different from regular shirts.
In addition, this type of shirt is versatile for mix and match, whether worn with a tie for formal occasions, without a tie for a comfortable office style, or even in a smart-casual look when paired with jeans.
For the POD market, the button-down shirt is a potential option if you are targeting a group of customers who like a polite but not too rigid style. Easy-care fabrics such as 2-ply cotton or non-iron material are also a plus when optimizing the wearer’s experience. Besides, simple patterns, small stripes, checks, or neutral tones are all accessible, especially if you are targeting office workers or middle-aged customers.
The Differences Between Button-Up and Button-Down Shirts
The common point between these two types of shirts is that they both have a total of 7 buttons in the middle and on the right side of the shirt when you wear the shirt. For button-down shirts, there will be two more small buttons on both sides of the collar to help secure the collar to the shirt’s body.
About the differences, we will go into the details after seeing the short comparison in the table below:
| Features | Button-Up Shirt | Button-Down Shirt |
| Definition | A shirt with a row of buttons running down the front. | A type of button-up shirt that includes two extra buttons on the collar tips to keep them in place. |
| Number of Buttons | Typically has 7 buttons down the front. | 7 front buttons plus 2 collar buttons. |
| Collar Style | Offers multiple collar types: point, spread, tab, club, and band. | Has a single distinctive style: a point collar with buttons on each tip. |
| Overall Look | Versatile – suitable for both formal and casual occasions. | Leans more toward smart casual or preppy styles. |
| Tie Compatibility | Can be worn with various tie knots depending on the collar style. | Can be worn with or without a tie; usually more relaxed and less formal. |
| Best POD Niches | Businesswear, office fashion, formalwear, uniforms, and premium shirt collections. | Teachers, students, young professionals, Ivy League fans, and fall casual collections. |
| Design Tips for POD | Focus on clean layouts; avoid overly complex designs around the collar area. | Ideal for preppy, retro, or minimalist designs. Avoid placing prints too close to the collar buttons. |
Collar Types
In terms of collar, button-down shirts only have one typical collar style: a pointed collar with buttons on both sides. Meanwhile, button-up shirts are more diverse in collar styles, including point collars, spread collars, tab collars, club collars, and band collars. Each collar style brings a different style and is suitable for different customers.
For example:
- Classic point collar: Easy to coordinate with many types of ties and suitable for office style.
- Spread collar: Luxurious and ideal for the European and American markets.
- Club collar: Vintage style and suitable for nostalgic designs.
- Band collar: Modern and minimalist look, very suitable for street fashion or casual designs.
As a print-on-demand seller, understanding this difference helps you choose the right shirt template that suits your design and niche. For example, if you build a collection in the style of Ivy League, preppy, or vintage smart-casual, a button-down shirt is an ideal choice. Meanwhile, if you need a versatile shirt template to expand your design options, from business shirts and event uniforms to high-end fashion, button-up shirts with various collar styles are a more strategic choice.
Fabric Types
About the material, both types of shirts are popular with fabrics such as:
- 2-layer cotton that does not need to be ironed is the preferred choice for high-quality shirts.
- Linen brings a comfortable, airy feeling, suitable for summer designs.
- Oxford fabric is thick, has a clear texture, is easy to print, and is suitable for both office environments and everyday casual styles.
In short, don’t forget that the collar structure greatly affects the printed area and the layout of the design pattern. With button-down shirts, you should avoid complex patterns close to the neck to avoid confusion or obstruction of the button. With button-up shirts, you can exploit more printed areas around the collar, cuffs, or hem to create highlights.
When to Wear Button-Up and Button-Down Shirts?
Simply, button-up shirts are suitable for a wide range of occasions, regardless of whether the shirt has a button-down collar or another collar style. In fact, both button-down collars and point collars are considered versatile and adaptive, making them appropriate in most dress code situations. Because of this flexibility, it’s easy to get confused about when to choose a button-up shirt over a button-down one. Below are some simple guidelines to help you make the right choice for every occasion.
Button-up shirts are suitable for a wide range of occasions, regardless of the collar styles. In fact, both button-down collars and point collars are considered flexible and adaptable, making them appropriate in most dress code situations. Because of this flexibility, it’s easy to get confused about when to choose a button-up shirt over a button-down one. Below are some simple tips to help you make the right choice for every occasion.
As explained earlier, button-up shirts come in various collar styles. Some, like spread collars, pair best with a tie, while others, like point collars, can be worn with or without one. More formal button-up styles are typically made from finer fabrics for a polished look, ideal for:
- Weddings
- Job interviews
- Business meetings
- Formal events
- Elegant dinners or parties
- Date nights
On the other hand, button-down shirts are known for their versatility across casual and semi-formal settings. Although they can certainly be worn to work, interviews, meetings, date nights, and even many weddings, they shine especially well in casual environments thanks to their more relaxed aesthetic. Some perfect use cases include:
- Lunch with friends
- Business casual events
- Smart-casual gatherings
- Cocktail hours
- Backyard barbecues
- Running errands
Sell Dress Shirt With Merchize
If you plan to sell shirts on your online store and are looking for a trusted supplier, then Merchize is one of the best solutions for you. We offer various kinds of dress shirts for you to freely choose from. With our print-on-demand service, you just need to focus on design and selling products; we will produce and ship products to your customer right after an order comes.
In addition, Merchize allows you to seamlessly connect your store (Shopify, Etsy, or WooCommerce) and auto-sync orders directly to fulfillment. This helps you expand your store easily without a complex data transfer process.
FAQs
1. Are all button-down shirts also button-up shirts?
Yes, all button-down shirts are button-up shirts. However, not all button-up shirts are button-down. The word “button-down" refers to shirts with collar buttons that secure the collar points.
2. Can I use both terms interchangeably in my product listings?
It’s better not to. Use “button-up” for general shirts with front buttons, and “button-down” when the shirt has collar buttons. Clear labeling helps you avoid misleading customers and reduces returns.
3. Which type is better for formal wear in POD?
Button-up shirts with point or spread collars are more suitable for formal wear and business settings. They’re more versatile for styling with ties, suits, and dress pants.
4. Which style sells better for casual POD designs?
Button-down shirts are often favored in casual or smart-casual niches, especially for customers interested in retro, preppy, or minimalist looks.
5. How do I choose the right collar type for my design?
Focus on your niche. For example, point and spread collars are best for business wear. Club and band collars work well for vintage or modern streetwear. Always consider how your design interacts with the collar space, especially in all-over print layouts.
