Button-down Collars

Q: “If I wear my polo shirt with button-down collars without a tie do I need to button the collars down?”
- Chris, Kuala Lumpur

A: Didn’t have time to do the laundry on your other polo shirts, I assume? Let me throw back the question to you -- Where are you going? If you’re off to meet some friends for a casual lunch or a relaxed night out, then sure, leaving your collars unbuttoned is acceptable. It says, “Let’s forget about work for a while.” However, for occasions or events where you need to keep a neat appearance and look a little more credible or trustworthy, say, if you’re meeting your girlfriend’s parents for the first time or if you’re going to a semi-formal business function and will wear a jacket over your shirt, then go the extra mile and button those collars down. It says, “You can trust me with your wealth and your daughter.”