I Own Ten of These $25 Button-Downs
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As a full-time freelance journalist, I don’t have a company office to dress up for. My co-working space crashed and burned during the pandemic, so unless I purchase a day pass at one of the few offices in San Francisco, I’m spending my days working from home … in my sweatsuit. Comfortable as it may be, it does make me ask myself: “Am Ireallygoing to spend the majority of my professional career in sweats?” And so I was desperate to find a middle ground: Something that was comfortable and casual but felt more put-together than sweats or pajamas — but that I could pair with leggings if I wanted, throw on as a beach cover-up on vacation, or use as a pseudo-sweater when wearing jeans and a tee.
It was during a routine Target run when I stumbled acrossUniversal Thread’s Long Sleeve Collared Button-Front Shirts. At first glance, the shirt has all the hallmarks of any other button down: A smart collar and matching cuffs along each sleeve. A column of buttons down the front. A breast pocket to hold my phone, hotel key, or a business card. But what has madethisbutton-down in particular a staple in my closet is its quality, versatility, and value. It’s made of lightweight, ultra-soft cotton that almost feels like a worn-in T-shirt you’ve owned forever. It goes with just about anything, and can be sized up or down to vary your styling. I’m a solid medium-to-large in tops, but I usually buy an XL or XXL to play up the silhouette. (Over the summer, Target produced an oversized version that became my favorite for a more relaxed look.) And, crucially, it’s $25 to $35 — a price that easily justifies the ten (at least) of these shirts that I’ve bought.
Since I purchased my first shirt, I’ve noticed that Target is always rotating its colors, patterns, and material options for the top. So whenever I see a new one I like, I add one to my cart and I don’t think twice. Right now, Target is carrying them in pastel 100% cotton options, chambray, and gauze, and there are a few still available of the light red and blue striped option, which I own. Most recently I boughtthe red and blue stripe option, which is currently on sale, and I have my eye onthis gauzy blousefor a linen-like top.
I wear themeverywhere. I often pair mine with straight-legged jeans when I’m going to a friend’s house, out to dinner, and yes, the occasional co-working day. But, most of the time, I just wear them with some leggings if I’m hanging around the house or catching a flight. For the $25 price, they held up surprisingly well over time. (I mean, I have almost a dozen of them and have yet to see any wear and tear.)
I’m not the only one who’s obsessed with these shirts, either. My mom is stickler for high-quality and “breathable” fabrics and says these shirts have “a nice cotton” and don’t shrink. “I love the fit,” she adds. “It’s oversized, but you don’t feel like you’re wearing someone else’s shirt.” Not only did I influence a friend to buy a blue one with slim white stripes, but we accidentally wore the same shirt during a girl’s night. We might’ve been wearing the exact same shirt, but we didn’t look identical: She paired hers with straight-legged black chinos, and I tucked mine into high-rise jeans and topped with a leather trench. Similar, but different. And recently, I was wearing my red and white striped version on a flight to Mexico when a flight attendant complimented me — and couldn’t believe it was from Target. “It’s comfy and cute,” she said. I couldn’t agree more.
The shirts I can’t stop buying
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