New Trend Look – All Buttoned Up

Button Up

For the past few years now all of us guys have been flashing our chests with no regard for how well we can realistically pull it off. The allure of anything from the basic white Topman super-V to a barely buttoned and fabulous Vivienne Westwood shirt was deliciously tempting. It may be the colder weather drawing in on us, or just urge for change, but guys everywhere are now saying no to man-cleavage and are embracing buttons.

This trend is a great way to transition your look from last summer to this winter, and to prepare for the coming decade. For the easiest example; take the basic checked shirt that has dominated our wardrobes for the past couple of years (and more than ever this season) and do up all the buttons – to the top now lads – and you have totally reinvented a shirt for this season. And not a penny spent.

This fairly simple technique is something that was at first the preserve of the fashionable indie boy aesthetic. As usual, they were onto something. Next came the TV stylists, tapping into the trend. You cannot turn on any Channel 4 broadcasting without seeing their input; everyone from Gok Wan to Rick Edwards is all buttoned up this winter. Naturally, the rest of us are now stealing the look – and everyone from high street retailers to luxury designers are picking up on the trend and going with it too.

Do not be fooled into thinking this idea only applies to shirts; tees, coats and knitwear have also been influenced by this style. One of my favourites is at Reiss’s “1971″ line, where the funnel-necked style has been cleverly worked into a chunky Fairisle knit (see products below); two other big trends for this season. On the T-shirt front, Topman is a good place for a lunch-hour clothes fix. Do up all five buttons on one of their basic grandad or y-neck T-shirts to create a totally new look for a bargain £6.

For something more sophisticated, try a designer polo from Hugo Boss, Lyle & Scott or Prada; some examples are shown below and they can be a real statement investment piece for the new season. A sure way to add a colour splash to a black trench and skinny jeans; don’t shy away from the bold coloured polo shirts. Alternatively, keep everything under wraps with a funnel neck reefer jacket. The £65 example from Asos below also looks great undone and loosely layered over a checked shirt. However you choose to wear it, I suggest all of you get on this trend as soon as before everyone else does; it’s going to be huge.

Button Up Examples

Shirts
Obviously you can button up any item right to the top. Here are some examples from the ASOS range which show the models rocking the full button up shirt. Works with formalwear, casual check shirts, denim, unusual collars and hooded varieties. You do not have to wear a tie or bow tie with a formal shirt buttoned to the top, on it’s own it is a smart enough look already and it can be matched with braces or geek specs for a great chic look. Shirts with detailing incorporated into the actual shirt are also great ways to add some flair whilst still keeping a simple buttoned up style.

T-shirts
As the article mentioned, grandad t-shirts and y-neck t-shirts can be worn like regular tees with every button done up. It gives off a slightly smarter look and feel than a basic crew neck, whilst still remaining firmly casual in appearance. Basics can be picked up in most stores such as Topman below:

Polo Shirts
Work just as well as shirts buttoned up to the top for a smarter look. Again you can add braces, geek specs and even skinny ties with them to add some flair. Some great designer examples from MyWardrobe.

Knitwear
You can button up knitwear this winter in order to stay warm, but also to give off a smarter look. High neck, grandad styles and double breasted knitwear are all available so pick up an example below or rummage through your wardrobe and get those cardigans buttoned right up and match with a shirt or polo buttoned up underneath. Go one step further and pair with a great statement jacket.

Jackets
Jackets were always meant to be buttoned up or fully zipped up because from a practical perspective they are supposed to keep you warm and dry. Statement macs, pea coats and military coats look amazing buttoned right up and give off a really clean lined look. It gives you a powerful and crisp frame which oozes masculinity. So grab the statement jacket out the wardrobe for this season or pick up one of these great jackets below.