Welcome toHype Machine, our hit-list of the top reviewed products — white button-down shirts, denim, cotton underwear, etc. — across the web, according to a crowd of die-hard shoppers. Call this your 4-star-and-up only club, with entry granted by our devoted-to-the-goods shop editors.
Button-down shirts are an all-year-round wardrobe staple, and for good reason. While they are the perfect basic for layering under sweaters and vests in the winter, they’re also a must-have for summer when casually worn over swimsuits and tank tops. The beauty of this versatile classic is how it can elevate the most ordinary of outfits, from sweatpants (yes!) to blue or white jeans (definitely) to work pants (obviously). And once you find a white button-down shirt that fits your body and wardrobe, you want one in every other color.
With comfort, fit, and functionality in mind, we scoured the internet for some of the best, customer-approved white button-down shirts for women, from oversized menswear-inspired and form-fitting tops to breathable linen styles perfect for the summer. Click through to find your new go-to white shirt.
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All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission.
Picture this: Your day starts with a dip in the clear blue Mediterranean, followed by an al fresco seafood lunch and a slow stroll through Positano or Cannes. We’ve all dreamed of such idyllic holiday scenes and transplanting ourselves to the Amalfi Coast, Capri, or the French Riviera. And now that summer is officially here, these yearnings have paved the way for TikTok’s latest aspirational fashion trend: the “European summer aesthetic.”
Similar to past trends like quiet luxury and coastal grandmother, this aesthetic puts an emphasis on “clean,” elevated outfits — this time taking elements from classic French and Italian styles. Key pieces include tailored tops, feminine dresses, matching separates, and top-handle bags. This curated wardrobe can be dressed up for both day and night, as well as for hot, humid temperatures. Think: light, flowy fabrics like linen and cotton, intentional detailing like crochet and embroidery, and “old money” silhouettes (problematic implications here aside).
Although the trend namechecks the entire continent, the looks mostly refer to a romanticized idea of extended leisure time in coastal towns à la Eat Pray Love or Mamma Mia. With comfy and realistic travel staples like yoga pants considered obsolete for the European aesthetic, consumers are turning to contemporary brands such as Reformation, & Other Stories, and Sézane for boat ride-worthy summer outfits.
This month, attendees’ street style at Paris and Milan men’s fashion weeks showcased looks that align with the European summer aesthetic, from freshly steamed, oversized shirts and silky headscarves to embroidered mini dresses and bold jewelry. Designers’ Resort 2025 collections also featured European-inspired details — Rochas and Nanushka showcased versatile, day-to-night dresses that could easily be worn from beach to bar, while Baobab’s and Eudon Choi’s ruffles and sleek cutouts gave a flirty edge to sunset-appropriate looks. Versace brought out bright summer sets, while Cinq à Sept debuted a Sophia Loren-esque cinched waist — all falling under the rank of swanky casual ‘fits.
“If you want to be that It Girl during your Euro vacation, this is what they’re going to be wearing,” Ortiz says at the start of the video. She says the aesthetic is all about details like drop-waist dresses, corsets, layered jewelry and accessories, and emphasizes the importance of comfort via lightweight shirts and flat sandals.
“I started making my Europe vacation videos because I was figuring out what I was going to wear in each country I was going to,” Ortiz, who is based in Texas, tells Refinery29. “One of my best friends helped me pack my wardrobe based on a few things: mainly to fit in as much as possible as a tourist and to suit the weather.” Her video is now peppered with comments asking for recommendations for various European destinations like Greece, Italy, and the south of France.
While many of these commenters are looking ahead to planned Europe trips, this aesthetic is not at all restricted to traveling. “The European aesthetic allows people to romanticize their lives, letting them bring out the best versions of themselves,” stylist Carlotta Constant tells Refinery29. “It encourages people to escape modern anxieties and embrace simplicity.”
Constant splits her time between London and Monaco but her tips for achieving a European summer aesthetic apply to any locale. “It’s all about layering and comfort. From a black, off-the-shoulder top and a low-waist silk skirt paired with barely there makeup to a more colorful two-piece ensemble, anything goes,” she says. “Also, comfortable sandals are a must.” Constant currently lives in a red-and-white overshirt from Rhode, a Gant linen maxi dress, and her go-to Loro Piana linen shorts.
For some brands like Lisa Says Gah, this European-inspired aesthetic has been popular for years. Their widely successful Italian Summer print — featuring bright, hand-painted tomatoes, baguettes, sardine cans, and other picnic-basket items — launched in 2022. “As a California brand, it’s always been second nature to find inspiration from the incredible bounty of cuisines and produce,” founder and CEO Lisa Bühler tells Refinery29. “There are parallels between Italian and Californian food cultures: great wine and gorgeous produce enjoyed al fresco under the warm summer sun.”
One of Lisa Says Gah’s bestsellers is a straight-leg jean in their colorful, Italy-inspired Buon Appetito print (which they offer from US sizes 0 to 30). “Ultimately, the success stems from the undeniable joy of wearing something so eye-catching and cheerful,” Bühler says. “The print is versatile enough to wear every day and for special occasions. Why not add some joy to your closet?”
Similar to the mindset of dressing for the job you want and not the job you have, dressing towards an aspirational lifestyle can positively boost your everyday wardrobe. Ortiz says that traveling has helped her learn about her personal style. “I’ve now invested in some versatile basics, like a good pair of trousers and plain tanks and tops,” she says. “Also dressing up every time you go out anywhere? I don’t normally do that in the States but I adapted real quick and now I try to make an effort.”
Next step? Fully embracing the European summer lifestyle by taking all of August off.
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Welcome to Refinery29 Loves, the monthly news bulletin where you’ll find the best things to shop and see in fashion and beauty right now.
While the sun might still be hiding behind the clouds some days, the temperature has risen to warm and sweaty, meaning our makeup and fashion looks for the month ahead have to be sticky commute-proof.
When it comes to beauty, we’re leaning into the power of tinted sunscreens, which act as a hydrating foundation alternative with lightweight formulas that provide just enough coverage to skip a heavy base. We’re also giving ourselves the ultimate at-home pedicure for the start of bare feet season (mesh ballet flats count, too) and investing in a summery scent to usher in the lazy, hazy days.
On the style side, we’re looking to flirty skirts, with Y2K bubble skirts and Wimbledon-inspired tennis skorts topping our list of picks. For those who prefer a trouser, the capri pant is holding its own, with cool-girl brands like Sandy Liang and Mirror Palais producing some of our fave iterations. And we can't ignore the ever-growing cult of cowgirl clothing, with lace skirts, scarf tops and cowboy boots remaining sartorial summer staples for another year running.
To discover more beauty products and wardrobe winners that caught our eye this June, click through the slideshow ahead…
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