While writing a previous article on how to spruce up the dress shirt with a colorful placket, I was reminded of another forgettable but promising feature on the dress shirt, the buttonholes. They are simply threading along the openings that hold the buttons of the dress shirt. These inconspicuous components can be found on the placket, the cuffs and the dress shirt collar and have enormous potential to make your dress shirt look exceptional.

Traditionally, the buttonholes, the buttons and the dress shirt should all match in color. However, work can get boring and if you want to spice up your days a little or stand out from the crowd, especially after work at a bar when you don’t’ have the time to go home a change, then you should definitely try experimenting with different colored buttonholes. Of course, the amount of experimentation should depend on your work environment. You want to stand out but not in a bad way. With the right combination, it can be both discrete and exhilarating. People will notice a difference but won’t be able to put a finger on exactly what it is that’s making you look so good.

The following are two good examples of what one can do with their buttonhole color. Both of these combinations are subtle yet exciting. The pink thread mellows down the contrasting white placket, collar and cuffs, pulling the shirt together as a whole. The light blue thread and buttons on the other hand bring brightness to the easily dulled grey dress shirt. These two combinations make a clear statement without being too ostentatious. You can wear both of these to the office and to the bar. And remember, if you usually accompany your dress shirt with a suit and a tie, then your bright red buttonholes on your plain white dress shirt will be easily hidden during work.

Pink Dress Shirt With Pink Buttonholes

Grey Dress Shirt With Light Blue Buttonholes