I may be getting a new job with my present company were I will have to wear suits again. Been a long time.
Is is appropriate to wear Oxford, button down shirts with business suits? Especially for an interview?
My advice would be to remove button downs from the wardrobe as quickly as possible. They should never be paired with a suit, but really they should just go away altogether.
Thanks. Yeah, guess I’m finding out not supposed to be worn with suits. Jacket/Blazer and pants, tie…Ok.
Sorry, can’t get rid of them!
Technically, no. The buttons were placed their to keep the collar from “flying” away (think outside, windy, casual).
That said not many fashion rules still apply and you do see “dress shirts” with button down collars. People are also happy to buy non-white dress shirts with white collars, and wear black suits during the day (the former goes back to the day where you would wear out collars and cuffs, so you would replace them. Since you couldn’t really “match” the main fabric, the tailor would sew on new, white cuffs and collar.)
If its a formal place, i’d wear a (1) blue, grey or brown suit, (2) white, off white or light blue, solid shirt, with a (3)pointed or spread collar (depending upon what looks better on you) and a (4) classic tie (stripes, paisley, solid) (5) socks match suit (6) belt and shoes match, and I’d go brown for all suit combos above.
like this:
But since you already work for them, they probably know you, so its not like you will “blow” the interview if you have a button down collar.
As a Brit I agree with Saltman. Button downs are a weird Americanism and to my eye look totally wrong with a suit and/or a tie.
It’s weird though. I think it’s definitely possible to dress too well for an interview. Well fitting, clean and pressed clothes are obviously a must but judge the context. If you turn up with a cut away collar, Hermes tie and matching gold cuff-links then, in your industry and at this organization, will you come across as ambitious or vain and slimy? A lot of trial lawyers “dress-down” for jury cases for just this reason - overdressing can be alienating.
Personally, I won’t wear a button down collar shirt with a tie. I know people that do wear them with a suit but it just doesn’t look right to me. I own a couple but normally only wear them for business casual type stuff. I think it’s ok to wear one with a sport coat & slacks if you’re going more casual and don’t have a tie on.
I don’t wear a suit everyday, but they are all custom as are the shirts that I pair them with. I typically go 3-piece and most of my shirts are french cuffed. I feel you can dress well without giving off a negative aura. For business, I keep it toned down by wearing a solid shirt light blue or white and striped or subtle paisley tie (sans vest). Cufflinks are always solid silver and keep the pocket square white and shoes must be kept shined. That said I refuse to compromise fit or quality regardless of circumstance. For social events, I typically go much more bold (unless its a wedding).
I agree that a button down is fine for business casual without a tie. I actually like the way the collar stands up more tan a point or spread collar without a tie. If you want all of the current sartorial rules you should check out askandyaboutclothes.com or styleforum.com.
If wearing a tie, no buttons on the collar, ever. If buttons on the collar they must always be buttoned, no exception. That’s my rule. That and keep your shoes shined. What are you, a farmer?
If you are going to be traveling with that suit you should get multiple pairs of pants.
Depends on where you live I think. Here in the midwest button downs are worn with suits all the time. Personally I don’t see anything wrong with them in the workplace. If I was going to an event where stylish dress was more of a focus I would probably wear a regular collar.
More importantly, you’ll want to notice what other people in the office are wearing and try and compliment what the successful people are wearing. Not saying you can’t have your own sense of style, but it’s usually best to try and emulate the corporate culture at first. As you become more successful you can branch out more.
Don’t be Little Lord Fauntleroy. 
See if you can find a “tabbed” collared shirt. They are my favorite, but getting harder to find.
No, in short. My shirts are all cut away collars with french cuffs.
My suits are almost entirely prince of wales grey, 2 button single breasted tailored with 4 functioning cuff buttons and an iphone pocket on the inside of the jacket.
If you have to wear suits I’d recommend a bespoke or M2M suit, the latter can look excellent and far better than almost anything bought off the rack.