The Wardrobe Essential You Can Wear… Everywhere

On the last blog post we talked about the polo shirt and its history. This time we are getting closer to the suit and will talk about the button-down shirt; they have some things in common! The button-down shirt’s history is, unsurprisingly logical: it was originated from the polo shirt! The collar of the button-down shirt was originally called a polo collar and it was worn pretty exclusively by polo players in the late 19th century.

At that time most men’s collars were not fastened. Polo players were the ones that found the non-fastened style to be uncomfortable as it would flap in their faces during the polo-game horse riding. At first they used a homemade technique and attached some buttons to their shirts to keep their collars out of their way.

The one who noticed it and turned it to business was John Brooks from Brooks Brothers. He took over this style manoeuvre and started offering button-down shirts in the family stores. In fact, while the Brooks Brothers button-down shirts still say “The Original Polo Shirt” on the label today, it didn’t become a fashion hit immediately. It received a style status in the mid-1900s when Italians adopted it. It really seems that they’ve been the fashion influencers since…well we’ll get to that in another post.

Button downs became widely adopted and a total hit when Gianni Agnelli, an influential Italian industrialist and principal shareholder of Fiat, made the button-down shirt his wardrobe essential and personal uniform.  He was also the richest man in modern Italy so there were many eyes on him and his style choices. He was known worldwide for his impeccable, slightly eccentric fashion sense. He has influenced both Italian and international men’s fashion.

Gianni Agnelli

Today button-down shirts are everywhere. They’re worn by business men, as a school uniform, by travellers, as everyday office attire, for festive events, meetings, dating, for a weekend getaway, to the beach bar etc. Depending on colour and material men could go everywhere wearing a button-down shirt. And also, not to mention that the ladies have also stolen the look! What a useful piece of clothing we have thanks to the polo players! NB: It’s still considered a fashion faux-pas to wear a button-down shirt with a tie  – so do this at your own risk!

Want to know more about the story behind your dress-clothes? How about some new ideas and tips? Speak with your LGFG Clothier today!