When are they appropriate or inappropriate as compared to collared shirts that are not button down?

Do you mean like a polo shirt? My husband loves them, he wears them to work since he works in a non business formal workplace. They look good with khakis or jeans, so if you're hashkafah allows, wear them at your leisure.

It depends if it's a polo shirt or a shirt without collars.
Most workplaces that I know have a dress code that requires a collared shirt. (Even business casual, or casual Fridays, require a collar, not necessarily an Oxford shirt though, a polo is OK.)

what sort of hashkafah doesn't allow button down shirts? this I gotta hear.
do button down shirts interfere with one's avodah in any way?



When do they NOT look good? A suit, for instance?

does wear a tie figure in here ?

You tell me. Is a tie appropriate or inappropriate with a button down shirt? Does it matter if it's with a suit jacket or not?

Just to be clear, you're asking if it's appropriate to wear a tie with a button down shirt (i.e. a dress shirt)? Yes, of course it is. In workplaces with formal dress codes men are expected to wear suits with jackets, dress shirts and ties. That said, they take the jackets off when they are at their desks, so much of the day is spent in just the dress shirt and tie.

A dress shirt is also appropriate without a tie or suit jacket but of course that depends on where you are going, as this is definitely seen as a more casual look. It would not be appropriate at my workplace but it certainly would be appropriate in business casual work environments and more casual social settings.

I think I'm confused by the kind of shirts we're talking about. I was meaning a shirt like a polo shirt. If your hashkafah is one which you would wear a suit everyday, a polo shirt is not for you since you can't wear one with a suit. Maybe this isn't the kind of shirt we're talking about....

I'm talking about dress shirts with button down collars. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Collar.agr.jpg
Can a shirt like that be worn with a suit? With a sports jacket? With pants and a tie?

Oh....so that's what you're talking about. Yes, you can wear dress shirts with button down collars with suits, sports jackets or pants and tie.
With Ties

when would someone opt for a button down shirt and when would one opt for a regularly collared shirt?

I stand corrected, according to Wiki, button downs are considered too casual to wear with a suit.


ETA: So to answer your question, you would opt for a button down shirt at business casual work environments and more casual events or social gatherings, and opt for a regularly collared shirt in more formal work and social settings and probably shul.

I think mh just buys whichever one is cheapest in his size.