Summer is so close I can almost feel a perpetual sunburn coming on and with the world beginning to open up again, we might have a somewhat normal summer after all. Now that there are some safe ways to travel and go on vacation, us gals at EHD have been brainstorming A LOT about what we will be wearing this summer. One thing we all agreed on was a single garment that is on all of our summer wish lists. I know what you are thinking but no, it’s not denim shorts. It’s simple, timeless, and the easiest thing to style and wear all summer. It’s the oversized button-up shirt.
As Emily discussed last week, a summer uniform is really effective because it makes getting dressed so easy and since us adults are sort of required to wear clothes most of the time, it’s best to have a few go-to summer staples. In my experience, the oversized button-up is one of those magical pieces of clothing that is low maintenance and cute and can go from day to night effortlessly making it the perfect piece for summer. Let’s just say that if you are going to pack one thing for a summer vacation, this should be it. Allow me to demonstrate:
Pair With Shorts And Sandals (Or Mules) For A Casual Day Look
Button Up (similar) | Shorts | Clogs
Picture this: It’s the peak of summer and you are going to the beach for the first time in over A YEAR and you are planning on soaking up the sun all day long. The oversized button-up is the perfect companion as you can just drape it over a bathing suit unbuttoned or buttoned with shorts, and it’s even acceptable to wear to a casual lunch or dinner. So versatile.

Button-Up Cover-Up Shirtdress | Shorts
See? Even Em is on the button up kick and had this to say about hers: The cover-up I’m opting for this summer is the oversized thin men’s style drapey button-up. I feel pretty cute in this and it’s so easy to wear with enough transparency to still feel cute and fun.
Wear As A Swimsuit Cover Up

Okay, now you are at the beach (or by the pool) but let’s say you don’t want to don your bathing suit all day but you aren’t quite ready to go back to normal clothes yet. The button up is easily transformed into a swimsuit coverup so you can be ready for a dip and not feel too exposed.
Pair With Dark Jeans Or Pants And A Heeled Sandal (Or Clog) For An Evening Look
Button Up (similar) | Jeans | Heels
Now, it’s the evening and you have dinner plans. Your skin is sun-kissed but not sunburnt, the weather is a perfect 73 degrees, and you are about to splurge on a good meal. So you pair your button-up with dark-washed denim jeans, heels, some jewelry, and voila! You’ve got yourself a cool, summer evening look.
Okay, I may have gotten lost in my perfect summer day but you get the point. The button-up is the perfect summer staple IMHO. If you are in the market, there are soo many good ones available online right now but I also advise paying a trip to your local Goodwill and checking out the button-up shirt inventory in the men’s section. You won’t be disappointed. In the meantime, here are some picks we love:

1. Big Shirt | 2. Oversized Pocket Linen Shirt | 3. Linen Shirt | 4. Airy Lyocell Blend Shirt | 5. Oversize Poplin Shirt | 6. Oversized Cotton Shirt | 7. White Oversized Cotton Shirt | 8. Boyfriend Shirt | 9. Relaxed Fit Shirt | 10. The Silky Cotton Oversized Shirt | 11. Kelali Men’s Shirt | 12. The Hero Button Up | 13. Lucia Top | 14. The Stripe Hero Button Up | 15. Oversized Boyfriend NK Shirt | 16. Button Up Wrap Top | 17. Oniru Shirt | 18. Ace Button Up
Muted greens, blues, and yellows are great for summer but you can never go wrong with the classic white number. I love #13 (it has a really special ruffle detail, too) and #5 because it is more long and oversized and could act as a dress too. Something like #9 is more fitted and would be great pair with jeans or a sexy skirt for a summer date night look.
What’s your summer staple? And do you have any safe summer vacation plans? Tell me everything. xx
Opener Image Credit: Photo by Veronica Crawford | From: 18 Pairs of Fall Boots: A Review of the Good, the GREAT (and the So-So)
How do I get to the Tambour paneling project post???? This is what came up….
exactly! qa this please
Ryann, you are beautiful! I was excited to see you owning that beauty and showing yourself without shame! I am happy for your journey that you were able to do that and can honestly say that every time I see a real woman who is not supermodel emaciated, it readjusts my own needle a little bit closer to letting go of all of those toxic images of beauty that have been shoved down our throats. So thank you. Sincerely.
Also, I myself can NOT wear a button down shirt, though I think they look cute on others. Having worn a school uniform that required a button down from the ages of 12-18 it just does NOT seem appealing whenever I put one on.
Nothing a woman loves more than showing her body And basically being told that she’s “brave.”
Oof. What Marian said. Of course the intention here was kind, but the landing might surprise you—perhaps worth having a quick google about the topic; there are lots of insightful opinions to be read and considered.
Literally ALL I wear is button downs and knowing that its EHD approved makes me feel validated!
Xirena Beau – classic!
Pointed collars are singularly unflattering on me, so I clicked #13 and was thrilled to see that it’s made in the USA.
No ruffle feature at the link, though – which also suits me fine. Thank you for linking it! (Now to figure out my size: body “L”, sleeve length “2XL”.)
Thanks for last week’s outfits and this one!! Went searching in my closet and I am soooo ready for summer. Only thing I added was a cute sleeveless gingham shirt and some new sandals. The rest I had! Capsule summer wardrobe ready.
Anyone have favorite button-ups that don’t need ironing? For whatever reason, I really hate to iron, but I love the look of a button-up.
I recently discovered the Costa shirt from Outerknown. It is the softest shirt I’ve ever own in my life.
Anyone have any great white shirts with spf protection to recommend?
RitDye SunGuard has spf40. You wash it INTO your clothes!