7 Different Types of Button-Down Shirts That’ll Instantly Elevate Jeans This Fall

There are many different types of button-down shirts, but they all are able to bring order to an outfit. Whether you’re wearing an impeccably tailored Brooks Brothers white shirt, a casual cotton twill work shirt, or a colorful stripe that wakes up blue jeans in a second, button-down shirts have an ability makes everything look better without much effort.

Because wearing a button-down shirt instantly sharpens an ensemble, it gives denim, in particular, a much clearer direction. The combination of a crisp business shirt with relaxed jeans doesn’t require any spectacular accessories or styling to work. Instead, they help a woman feel confident as soon as she looks into the mirror.

Fashion has understood this for decades. Katharine Hepburn found it as a way to dress with poise and freedom, while Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy wore her classic fit with an understated elegance that continues to fascinate.

But, we’ve always known how well a crisp white button-down shirt works with all manner of garments. It’s the first thing we grab from our closet when we’re not sure what else to wear. For fall 2026, however, it’s time to expand into new territory. I’ll be trying several different types of button-down shirts that are just as effective at creating a smart look as a classic white one—yes, even with jeans.

Keep scrolling to see my favorite jeans and button-down shirt combos to wear this fall.

The Cropped Dress Shirt

You don’t need a bespoke tuxedo shirt to look dressy. A crisp, cropped poplin shirt will absolutely do, and it works beautifully with classic blue jeans. Together, the combo creates a clean, confident contrast. If you’re looking for a more serious presence, however, try it with brown or dark wash denim in a higher waist. Either way, the strength of the short button-down is that it elevates without any stiffness. As for accessories, keep those simple. This style of shirt has enough personality on its own.

The Pop of Color Button-Up

Color, in all its many beautiful shades, is a major trend for fall 2026. With a button-up shirt, it gains even more character. Whether it’s a formal shirt or a more relaxed fit doesn’t matter—a colorful top still has a more playful attitude than a basic white shirt. It’ll feel particularly fresh with a medium-wash jean, or try white denim for a bright, editorial feel. And here’s another style tip: Color block with a jacket or blazer in a complimentary tone to really stand out.

The Earthy Brown Shirt

Brown stopped being a supporting act long ago. Today it’s treated as a neutral worth building a whole outfit around, and a chocolate brown button-down shirt demonstrates why. It has a practical and functional feel, but it’s not as harsh as a utility shirt. Plus, it works well with everything from black jeans to light blue washes to even brown jeans in a contrasting tone. It’s one of those pieces that doesn’t feel as if it’s trying overly hard to look good, which is exactly why it ends up being so flattering.

The Colorful Stripe Shirt

Who said a delicate stripe can’t transform an entire look? A button-down shirt in soft green, blue, yellow, red, or purple with thin vertical lines does something very useful: It lengthens, it brightens, and it brings a sort of freshness that is much appreciated in colder seasons. And while it’s always a good match with dress pants, there’s a special well-dressed weekend charm about straight-leg jeans and sneakers with a dressy shirt.

The Oversized Long-Sleeve Shirt

Not every white shirt is identical, though all look refined. Mix it up from your typical top—you know, the ones with a button-down collar and classic chest pockets—and choose an exaggerated fit instead. It’ll give your outfit immediate presence, even with casual wear. In fact, if you’re dressing for the weekend, we recommend pairing your oversized shirt with wide-leg or bootcut jeans, a vintage watch, and an unhurried attitude.

The New Flannel

Plaid and flannel shirts can be dressy! The versions trending for fall 2025 are still relaxed in nature, but they have a slim fit and assertive vibe that pairs super well with light blue or even grayish jeans. The result never feels forced, especially if you style it with classics like a leather belt and loafers.

The Polished Denim Shirt

Instead of a more relaxed denim shirt, look for a button-up with a silhouette that hugs closer to the body. The shape will mark the waist without being stiff and looks particularly sharp tucked in with straight-leg jeans in a contrasting wash. That said, if you are wearing wide-leg denim, the disparity between the fit of the shirt and the volume of the pant can be quite flattering. It’s proof that basics doesn’t mean a lack of style.

In the end, these button-down shirts confirm something that fashion reminds us of time and time again: The right garment doesn’t always come in with a bang. Sometimes it arrives in a soft yellow, fine stripes, deep brown, or a serene plaid. And when it’s combined with trendy jeans instead of basic chinos, you get something only truly great outfits can achieve: Style that looks put together without requiring any effort.

A version of this story was previously published in Glamour Mexico and Latin America.