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A WORD ABOUT THE
BUTTON-DOWN COLLAR

The button-down collar was introduced to America by Brooks Brothers, Inc., shortly after the turn of the twentieth century. The style was derived from South American soccer players who buttoned the points of their collars down to their jerseys to discourage the collar points from slapping them in the face.

The American business community adopted the style wholeheartedly, with little regard for its origin. At this time, major politicians, business executives, and serious academics all seem to have adopted the button-down as collar of choice, at least for daytime appointments and appearances.

Nevertheless, the fact is that the button-down collar remains considerably less formal than a straight collar. For example, a gentleman may substitute a plain, straight-collar shirt for an exclusively “formal” shirt if he finds that he must make a last-minute appearance at a black-tie dinner. But he resorts to a white button-down only if it is the last alternative remaining in his shirt closet.

When a gentleman requires a dress shirt, but wishes to go tieless, a button-down is almost always his best alternative. But if the occasion begins after five o’clock in the evening and a gentleman feels the urge to wear a tie, he leaves his button-down at home and prefers a buttonless model.