If you’ve ever stood in front of a mirror doing and undoing the top buttons of a blouse, you know that figuring out where to stop is not as simple as it seems. There’s a fine line between looking polished and appearing overly stiff or too casual: Buttoning up too high can make you look extra formal or constrained while leaving too many buttons undone might feel too relaxed or even sloppy if not styled correctly. Add in different collar styles, body shapes, and fabric types, and it becomes clear why this seemingly straightforward decision can feel like a fashion puzzle.
If you’ve ever wished there was a simple rule of thumb you could apply to this conundrum, you’re in luck. As a professional stylist, I’m sharing the simple science of finding exactly how many buttons to leave open if you want to achieve balance.
Mother-daughter duo Alison Bruhn and Delia Folk are the founders of The Style That Binds Us, a fashion platform that offers advice and styling services. Their mission is to give people of all ages the tools they need to feel empowered and uplifted by fashion. Before launching their brand, Alison was an in-demand personal stylist, and Delia interned at Versace and worked on the Barneys buying team.
