Why can't you change the position of the buttons on your shirt?
There are several things you can modify on a shirt to make it fit you well.
However, there are others that cannot be altered.
One of them is the position of the buttons : a particularly relevant detail, especially considering that the distance between the buttons is not standard.
The position of the first button under the collar is also not standard (the second, if the collar has one button, or the third, if it has two – in this article we will call it the second).
Although it may not seem like it, this second button can make a difference, especially if you are going to wear the shirt unbuttoned and without a tie.
If you leave it unbuttoned and it's too low, your look will be too casual for an environment like the office. If it's too high, the end result will be unnatural.
The distance between the buttons on the shirt.
You might also be surprised to know that the distance between buttons is not industry standard.
Brands usually keep the same distance on all their shirts, however different brands will have different distances between buttons, and especially between the first two.
This distance can vary from a couple of centimetres to more than 8. And if you are going to have the collar button and the second button undone, the third one can be almost 9 centimetres below. Too much, unless the desired effect is to show off the chest.
In general, European shirts tend to have the second button slightly lower than American shirts.
Furthermore, European shirts are usually divided into 2 macro categories, shirts worn with ties and shirts worn without. Shirts worn with ties often look a bit odd unbuttoned.
Americans try to make more versatile shirts and do not have this distinction in their product line.
The second button on the shirt.
If you really want to make the difference between a good shirt and an amazing shirt, you should pay attention to the position of the second button. Even if you choose to have a custom-made shirt, you should specify where you want it, in order to get the desired effect.