How Many Shirt Buttons to Leave Undone?

How many shirt buttons to leave undone is something to consider when going out without a tie.

If it’s not obvious, I don’t claim to be an expert in anything really.  In fact, I base most of my articles on questions that I don’t have the answers for.  I figure if I have a question about something, certainly other men may have a question about it as well.  How many shirt buttons to leave undone is one of those questions.

So, I research.  I gather sources, read articles, look at YouTube videos and collect the data.  I write it down, compare, distill the important facts and try to present the best articles on the topic that I can.

Basically, it’s like writing papers for college, only I try much harder on these articles.

How many shirt buttons to leave undone is a genuine question that I wasn’t sure about.  Are there any hard and fast rules on how many buttons to leave undone?

My wife watches the Bachelorette on Monday nights.  As a result, I too now watch the Bachelorette on Monday nights.  Those guys have at least three buttons undone almost all the time, exposing a lot of male cleavage.  Is this okay?  Should guys be doing this?  I had no idea until I researched it.  My hope is that this article on how many shirt buttons to leave undone should help clear things up for you too if needed.

No Buttons Undone

This is generally reserved for only when you are wearing a tie.  If not wearing a tie, it can give the impression of being closed off.  However, the more eccentric you are, or if this is your “brand”, by all means, go for it!

One Button Undone (Collar Button)

This is the gold standard and more conservative approach when not wearing a tie.  If you are unsure the level of casualness you are walking into, and you definitely aren’t wearing a tie, you cannot go wrong with having one button undone.

It’s not distracting, and it will draw people’s attention more toward what you are saying rather than what you are wearing.  Last, it can pair well with or without a blazer.

Basically, this is the “safe route”.

Two Buttons Undone

This is more casual than having one button undone and may expose some chest hair.  Depending on how you feel about your chest hair being out, you may need to opt for the one button or apply some chest manscaping techniques.

As more of a “relaxed” feel, this is generally reserved for drinks, nights out, or vacation, as opposed to casual Friday at the business office.

Three Buttons Undone

This should probably be avoided in most casual situations and is generally appropriate only for Miami night clubs, Tom Ford, riding on a boat, the beach, 1970’s disco, James Bond…or apparently the Bachelorette.

Only do this if it is an extremely laid-back environment where you know beforehand that this type of dress is acceptable.

A few other notes on how many shirt buttons to leave undone:

There tends to be a scale when it comes to exposing the male chest.  The more fit you are, the more you can expose (to a degree) the chest.  Additionally, there is a fitness scale regarding chest hair, where the more fit you are, the more chest manscaping you can do.  Again, chest hair is a personal preference, and you do whatever makes you feel most comfortable.

With more buttons being undone, there is a higher chance that your undershirt will show, which should be avoided. Opt for a fitted v-neck shirt in light gray (Heather gray).  The v-neck design should mitigate its showing behind your button up.  The light gray color tends to blend better with skin tones and is less visible underneath dress shirts and oxfords, especially white ones.

Our Choice Gray V-Neck: David Archy Men’s 3 Pack $42.99

Button spacing down a shirt is known as its “stance”, and placement of a second button is key.  In fact, placement of the second button will make or break a dress shirt.  If placed too high, the shirt can appear awkward and constrained when unbuttoned.  If placed too low, it can leave too much of the chest exposed when it shouldn’t be. Unfortunately, placement of the second button is not standardized and can range from under two inches to over four inches from the first button.  A good, versatile length tends to be 3 ½ inches. (Source)

Overall, when purchasing new dress shirts or oxfords, it is important to try them on first.  Pay special attention to the second button and make sure its stance is appropriate for leaving unbuttoned if that is your plan.

Remember, this is only a guide on how many shirt buttons to leave undone.  At the end of the day, you need to do what makes you happy.  Choose what the situation warrants and go from there while balancing what makes you comfortable.

Thanks for reading How Many Shirt Buttons to Leave Undone?

Check out some of our other popular articles: Best Haircut for Your Face Shape, A Men’s Guide, Minimalist Wardrobe for Men, A Casual Guide, or A Complete Guide to Men’s Hair Products.

-Chris