If there's one piece that earns its keep from September through March, it's the long sleeve button up top. It layers under sweaters, tucks into skirts, and works as a light jacket on those in-between days when you can't decide what the weather is doing.
Our Fall collection has a mix of modal and cotton blouses for women and button ups, and each one does something a little different. Two are cut from silky, hand screen printed modal. One is a structured cotton stripe. And one is the oversized shirt our customers keep reaching for year after year. Below are two outfit ideas for each styled with our women's tops, plus a few quick tricks that work on any button up in your closet.
Every shirt here is made fair trade in India by artisan partners we've worked with for years. That's the part you can't see in a photo, but you'll feel it every time you get dressed.
What Makes a Good Button Up?
A good button up comes down to three things: fabric, fit, and the small details you notice after the tenth wear. Here's what to look for.
- Fabric that suits the job. Silky modal drapes and moves, so it reads dressier. Mid-weight cotton holds its shape, so it looks crisp and pulled-together. Linen-cotton breathes and softens with every wash.
- A fit with intention. Some shirts are meant to skim the body, others are meant to be roomy. Neither is "right." It's about the silhouette you want.
- Details that make it last. Button cuffs you can roll, a split or shirttail hem that tucks cleanly, fabric-covered buttons. These are what separate a shirt you wear for a season from one you keep for years.
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Print with character. Every print in this collection was made by hand, so small variations in color and alignment are part of what makes your shirt yours.
The Stella Top: Silky Modal in a Bold Fall Purple
The Stella Top in Violet Scribble Modal is the shirt for anyone tired of fall wardrobes that are all brown and gray. It's hand screen printed on silky, soft-draping modal, with a gathered neckline and a hip length that works tucked or loose.
Look 1: Color on color. Tuck the Stella into burgundy or deep red trousers and let the jewel tones do the talking. Add loafers or a low block heel and you're ready for the office, a gallery, or dinner out. Keep jewelry simple so the print stays the star.
Look 2: Weekend cozy. Wear it loose over dark-wash jeans and drape a velvet or chunky knit wrap over your shoulders. Ankle boots finish it. The modal feels like a favorite tee but looks like you tried.
The Carey Trapeze Shirt: From Office to Gallery Opening
The Carey Trapeze Shirt in Mocha Scribble Modal is our dressiest button up this season, and it moves easily between work and evening plans. Fabric-covered buttons, a contrasting collar and placket, and a high-low trapeze drape give it polish. The mocha scribble print adds texture while staying neutral enough to pair with almost anything. It comes in sizes XS to 3X.
Look 1: The easy workday. Pair it with wide-leg trousers in black, charcoal, or cream. Leave it untucked so the trapeze shape can swing, and add pointed flats or mules. The hip-to-thigh length covers your seat, which makes it a great match for slimmer pants too.
Look 2: Dinner and drinks. Swap the trousers for dark jeans or a sleek midi skirt. Unbutton one more button, roll the cuffs once, and add statement earrings. Same shirt, completely different mood.
The Long Sleeve Benji: A Crisp Cotton Stripe in Red or Blue
Our bestselling Benji now comes with long sleeves, just in time for cooler weather. The Long Sleeve Benji Button Down is cut from mid-weight cotton with a mix of thin and thick hand block printed stripes, in red or cobalt blue. It hits at the waist and has a split hem for easy movement, plus button cuffs made for rolling. It's made by Aavaran, one of our newest fair trade partners in India.
Look 1: The classic stripe and denim. Wear it with straight or wide-leg jeans, sleeves pushed to the elbow and the front hem tucked. Add sneakers or loafers for errands and coffee dates. The waist length means no bulky tuck, so it looks clean with high-rise bottoms.
Look 2: Layered for cold mornings. Button it up and slip a crewneck sweater or sweater vest over it, letting the collar and cuffs peek out. Finish with corduroys or a wool skirt and boots.
As one customer put it: "It's perfect for work in the day and comfortable enough to wear out to dinner or running errands on the weekend."
The Mae Oversized Top: The Layering Staple for Every Season
The Mae Oversized Top is the button up you'll wear the most, and it comes in 100% cotton or a breathable linen-cotton blend. It has a relaxed, roomy cut, wide button cuffs, and a shirttail hem that falls at the hip. It's made by Creative Handicrafts, a social work-focused cooperative in Mumbai that has been part of Mata since the beginning. Sizes run XS to 3X.
Look 1: Worn open as a light jacket. Throw the Mae on unbuttoned over a white tee or fitted knit and your favorite jeans. It's the easiest fall outfit there is, and it adds a layer without the bulk of a cardigan.
Look 2: Half-tucked with a skirt. Tuck just the front into a midi skirt, roll the sleeves, and add a belt if you want more shape at the waist. Tights and loafers carry it into colder months.
One customer said it best: "This top is perfect on its own or I also like layering with a white tee."
5 Quick Tricks to Style Any Button Up
These small moves change how a shirt looks in seconds, whether it's new or one you've owned for years.
- The front tuck. Tuck just the front few inches of the hem. It defines your waist and lengthens your legs without looking fussy.
- The sleeve roll. Roll the cuffs twice, to just below the elbow. It instantly relaxes a dressy shirt and shows off a bracelet or watch.
- Wear it open. Unbuttoned over a tee or tank, a roomy button up becomes a lightweight jacket.
- Layer under knits. Collar and cuffs peeking out of a sweater or vest is the most classic fall look there is.
- Knot the hem. Tie the front tails at your waist for a casual shape that pairs well with high-rise jeans and skirts.
One Shirt, Many Outfits
The best button up isn't the one you save for special occasions. It's the one you reach for on a rushed Monday, a slow Saturday, and everything in between. Choose silky modal for drape and polish, structured cotton for a crisp everyday look, or the Mae for easy layering.
Wearing what you own more often is one of the simplest ways to shop more sustainably. When that piece is made fair trade by artisans who are paid fairly, it feels even better to wear.
Shop all Fall tops and find the button up that fits your life.