What to Look for in a Women's Dress Shirt

There is nothing quite as versatile as a classic button-down dress shirt. You can go from business to casual with travel in between while looking great the entire time. The following list of tips will help you buy a dress shirt that's right for you.

Know Your Measurements

If you don't know what your measurements are, you can have them taken by a professional tailor. Knowing your measurements is imperative when buying clothing online, especially dress shirts.

Mind the Gap

One of the biggest problems for women is the gap between the buttons in front of the bust. The best way to avoid this is by choosing a shirt that's the right size. However, some shirts also are designed with buttons on the inside of the placket at the bust to help reduce shirt gap.

Go for Stretch Cotton

This type of fabric is both flattering and comfortable. Van Heusen women's line of button downs includes stretch cotton shirts that are also a polyester and Lycra blend. These shirts are wrinkle-free and easy to care for.

Choose a Tailored Style

No matter type of figure you have, a fitted style is always going to be more flattering than a loose one. Darting and princess seaming (large, rounded seams) also are great features for ensuring a better fit.

Get a Long and Rounded Tail

The classic dress shirt looks best when tucked in. To ensure your shirt stays in place, opt for a shirt with a rounded tail long enough to cover your bottom. There should also be a scoop on the side to avoid bunching. However, the scoop should always stay tucked in.

Of course, dress shirts come in a variety of colors so don't be afraid to branch out from the classic white.