Fastening the top button on a button-up?

First thread for me, searched the site and couldn't find a definitive answer on this. I posted this in streetwear because I intend for this topic to be considered in a more casual, cool-dude context rather than what is acceptable at a polo match or in fancy-pants land... I see a lot of fashion sites, catalogs, mannequins etc. have a button-up shirt (example: BoO button-down collar shirt) and have every button including the top neck button fastened without a tie. This is an okay look I think, especially because this type of shirt has a relatively pointy collar that looks good fastened up all the way. It would seem that the trend is to button them all on a point-collar but when it's a spread you should probably leave the top button undone (Steven Alan best exemplifies this by creating a shirt that's basically impossible to fasten all the way up). So the question is, why is this a popular choice? When I do this several people will comment that it looks anal-retentive and constrictive as though they are cluing me in on their biggest secret to looking relaxed in cool. It seems to almost offend some people. I don't think a point-collar ever looks good unbuttoned on the top but I could be wrong, whattya'll think?

There was a recent posting on this in Men's Flair: http://www.mensflair.com/style-advic...up-collars.php I do it at times. Buttoning the top works when the rest of the outfit is dressed down, to bring a nice balance. The untucked shirt begs for a prim and proper counterpoint, which the top button does nicely. Without it the untucked shirt can look a little sloppy.

One of the curiosities of modern times is that purposeless adornment needs explanation.

Click to expand...

The first line made me LOL. I demand a puposleless explaination!

It serves a visual purpose, but functionally it's good when it's chilly outside and you don't have a scarf. Otherwise, boy is it uncomfortable (restricts your neck motion).

It works with rather minimalistic dressy outfits as well.

The David Lynch look:

Never button the top, because for me it's the opposite- tight/tancy pants need a more casual top. I just hate the way it looks.

It can look good. However I don't do it myself as I look too stiff. (pause)

IMO, it looks bad if you have noticeable pecs.

If you unbutton the top 2, it looks Amjack.

Just the top button undone works for me, although sometimes girls will come up and undo another and say "lighten up, you look stuffy."

I think it usually only looks good on more severe-looking people (i.e., the very skinny). Also, I never wear a spread collar unless I'm also wearing a tie.

Is wearing a tab collar opened acceptable? This is one of the great mysteries.

A little too stuffy for my tastes but not to say it doesn't work for others.

Originally Posted by JesseJB

Click to expand...

although sometimes girls will come up and undo another and say "lighten up, you look stuffy."

exactly, "stuffy" is what i have heard on more than one occasion. and i definitely don't have pecs.

I prefer unbuttoning the top two buttons over buttoning all the way up (which looks more formal to me). If I buttoned all the way, I would really get some grief from my wife.

I like showing off the manscaping. I shave my chest hair into my initials.

Never, unless its with a tie.

I like to rock the air tie occasionally