I'm a Fashion Editor—I Reach For This Effortless Wardrobe Essential When I Don't Know What to Wear

3 hours ago 5

Collage of Christie Tyler, Monikh Dale, and Débora Rosa wearing blue button-down shirts and jeans.

You know those mornings when you're either running late or in a style rut and unsure what to wear? As a mom of two, I have had my fair share of these days. When I encounter them, I have found that there is one wardrobe essential I can reach for that offers a stylish solution: a blue button-down shirt. The classic piece is incredibly easy to style in a pinch.

To give the blue button-down an effortless feel, I usually pair it with jeans and a chic shoe style like boots, sneakers, or flats. To help you get inspired, I rounded up nine standout ideas that use the same outfit formula. Keep scrolling to peruse and shop each look. You can thank me later.

1.

Fashion influencer Christie Tyler poses for a mirror selfie wearing a blue button-down shirt tucked into jeans with a black belt and black Mary Jane flats.

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Oxford Shirt

501® '90s Cuffed Relaxed Straight Leg Selvedge Jeans

Levi's

501 '90s Cuffed Relaxed Straight Leg Selvedge Jeans

Jasper Mary Jane Flat

Kenneth Cole

Jasper Mary Jane Flat

2.

French fashion influencer Salome Mory sitting at an outdoor Paris cafe wearing round sunglasses, a gray blazer, blue button-down shirt, straight-leg jeans, and open-toe mule sandals.

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Oversized Linen-Blend Shirt

H&M

Oversized Linen-Blend Shirt

Kourtney Oversize Blazer

EDIKTED

Kourtney Oversize Blazer

501® '90s Straight Leg Ankle Jeans

Levi's

501 '90s Straight Leg Ankle Jeans

Brigitte Slide Sandal

STAUD

Brigitte Slide Sandal

3.

French fashion influencer Anne-Laure Mais on a Paris sidewalk wearing a blue button-down shirt, brown suede slouchy shoulder bag, cuffed jeans, and print Mary Jane flats.

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Ayr Deep End Button Down Shirt

Ayr

Deep End Button Down Shirt

TYATVS, Studded Suede Boho Bag

TYATVS

Studded Suede Boho Bag

The Austyn High-Rise Cuffed Wide-Leg Jeans by Pilcro

Pilcro

The Austyn High-Rise Cuffed Wide-Leg Jeans

Bambina Cotton-Blend Slippers

CALL IT BY YOUR NAME

Bambina Cotton-Blend Slippers

4.

French fashion influencer Julie sitting in a Paris cafe with an iced coffee wearing black sunglasses, a blue button-down shirt, white top, Hermes bag, straight-leg jeans, and black Gucci loafers.

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Anine Bing Mika Shirt - Blue

Levi's 501 90s Jeans

Loraine Bit Loafer

Sam Edelman

Loraine Bit Loafer

5.

British fashion influencer Monikh Dale poses in her chic London home wearing a blue button-down and light-wash cuffed jeans.

Shop the Look

Étienne Oversized Shirt in Lightweight Oxford

J.Crew

Étienne Oversized Shirt in Lightweight Oxford

501® '90s High Waist Relaxed Straight Leg Selvedge Jeans

Levi's

501 '90s High Waist Relaxed Straight Leg Selvedge Jeans

6.

Style influencer Anouk Yve poses for a mirror selfie wearing a trench coat over a blue button-down shirt with a white collar and white cuffs, jeans, and black strappy heeled sandals.

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Contrast Trim Poplin Shirt

MANGO

Contrast Trim Poplin Shirt

Cotton Trench Coat With Shirt Collar - Women | Mango Usa

MANGO

Cotton Trench Coat With Shirt Collar

Caris Shirt

The Perfect Vintage Wide Leg Jeans

Madewell

The Perfect Vintage Wide Leg Jeans

7.

Fashion influencer Debora Rosa walking on a city sidewalk wearing black sunglasses, a blue-button-down shirt, cable-knit sweater over the shoulders, dark-wash straight-leg jeans, and square-toe heeled boots.

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Oversized Shirt

Almina Concept

Oversized Shirt

Round-Neck Braided Sweater - Women | Mango Usa

MANGO

Round-Neck Braided Sweater

Levi's 501 Jeans

Leather Boots With Kitten Heels - Women | Mango Usa

MANGO

Leather Boots With Kitten Heels

8.

Norwegian fashion influencer Nnenna Echem standing next to an all-black bike in Copenhagen wearing a blue button-down shirt, relaxed jeans, and silver ballet flats.

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Power Shoulder Stripe Button-Up Shirt

Grey Lab

Power Shoulder Stripe Button-Up Shirt

Curvy Stretch Straight Jean

Cotton On

Stretch Straight Jean

Rubi Shoes, Ziggy Ballet

9.

Fashion influencer Felicia Akerstrom sitting on steps outside a building in Stockholm, Sweden wearing an open blue button-down shirt, white T-shirt, straight-leg jeans, and white Mary Jane flats.

Shop the Look

Ayr the Deep End Button Down Shirt

AYR

The Deep End Button Down Shirt

Relaxed Fit Pima Cotton Crewneck T-Shirt

Nordstrom

Relaxed Fit Pima Cotton Crewneck T-Shirt

Levi's Ribcage Full Length Jeans

Levi's

Ribcage Full Length Jeans

Marzi Ballet Flat

BCBGeneration

Marzi Ballet Flat

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