I've always called a woman's or a man's shirt with a collar, button band and cuffed sleeves a button down shirt. Shortly after I fell in love with making shirts, I called it a button down shirt in a blog post. I was scolded in the comments for doing so.
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Then I was at a loss for how to describe my shirts because the commenter was quite adamant about how I was using the wrong term...breathe...sigh. I tried not to use the term again because if it's wrong, it's wrong and I'm big enough to admit my mistakes or lack of knowledge. But quandry much?
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Then I read this great article online at Marie Claire clearly stating how to determine what is the right terminology. The article also had some styling and fit tips for shirt wearers.
Okay so Imma stop right here and link to the article again - HERE. You go and read it now. Don't worry I will be right here waiting when you get back!
Are you back? Did you read the entire article? Cause honestly you need that information to read the rest of this post.
...waiting for the stragglers...
Are we good now? Everyone on the same page? So let's discuss, mmkay. I love how Audrey McLoghlin, founder of Grayson and Frank & Eileen, calls shirts "button ups" but most importantly she says this...
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Then I was at a loss for how to describe my shirts because the commenter was quite adamant about how I was using the wrong term...breathe...sigh. I tried not to use the term again because if it's wrong, it's wrong and I'm big enough to admit my mistakes or lack of knowledge. But quandry much?
Then I read this great article online at Marie Claire clearly stating how to determine what is the right terminology. The article also had some styling and fit tips for shirt wearers.
Okay so Imma stop right here and link to the article again - HERE. You go and read it now. Don't worry I will be right here waiting when you get back!
Are you back? Did you read the entire article? Cause honestly you need that information to read the rest of this post.
...waiting for the stragglers...
Are we good now? Everyone on the same page? So let's discuss, mmkay. I love how Audrey McLoghlin, founder of Grayson and Frank & Eileen, calls shirts "button ups" but most importantly she says this...
"I call my pieces a button up because the placket buttons up,
but it doesn't infer that there is a button-down collar.
WOMEN TEND TO USE THE TERM INTERCHANGABLY,
but in the men's world, they're distinct."
(Caps are my emphasis)
It gave me a better understanding of why the words "button down" are interchangeable in both the sewing and fashion worlds for women's shirts.
The article has some great tips on fabric, fit and styling as well as an array of retailers who sell women's button ups. Since we sew, the retailers info isn't pertinent but the other sections are really helpful ~ well at least to me! Also, there are quite a few women's sewing patterns for shirts from the Big4 as well as from indie designers currently available.
Now back to my point...or better still my question. Were you calling shirts button downs or button ups? Did you know there was a difference? Does it even matter to you? Sound off in the comments, cause I'm interested in what you have to say!
A NOTE:
I know quite a few of you read my blog posts on bloglovin'. You need to know I only check bloglovin' every once in awhile. I also don't interact with any comments, questions, or observations left there. All of my attention is here on my blog...and yes there is a difference between bloglovin' and blogger.
Did you make it this far? If so, next up on the blog are two new shirts. The weather is changing (though it was hot as hades for a couple of days last week) and I'm back in jeans, a shirt and a cardigan.
Parting Shot:
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Since Meghan Markle is my favorite Princess, I wanted to include a photo of her wearing a button up white shirt from her newly released collection of workwear essentials called The Smart Set. The charity's mission is to offer dressing and coaching services to women with job interviews...see every woman needs a good white shirt!
...as always more later!
Parting Shot:
Since Meghan Markle is my favorite Princess, I wanted to include a photo of her wearing a button up white shirt from her newly released collection of workwear essentials called The Smart Set. The charity's mission is to offer dressing and coaching services to women with job interviews...see every woman needs a good white shirt!
...as always more later!