It's been a minority mode worn by a smaller or larger number of men for at least 150 years. It's never been a majority mode, and has had different connotations in different eras,

 

I well recall the shirt worn tie-less and buttoned all the way up enjoyed a certain vogue in the late 1980s to early 1990s. I had rather thought it had been in abeyance since then. It was a look I have always shunned.

I note that certain religious groups will wear their shirts buttoned up sans necktie--e.g., Torah Jews who eschew the tie as "worldly," and certain Muslims who consider ties to be "un-Islamic."

 

Buttoning the top button is like begging for a tie!

 

I normally wear an XL for both t-shirts and dress shirts, but I would have to go up to a XXL with an 18" neck to both top button with tie.

 

I feel your pain. I'm a 19.25" neck. I'm broad shouldered, but not THAT fat. Just... stout. I need an XL but Slim or Tailored fit on a T shirt. Needless to say, for button up shirts I can't buy off the rack.

I get my shirts custom made now. I only wear a tie once a week or so, so the small extra expense isn't too much as I only need a few and they last a long time. But I couldn't button a collar button if I wanted to until I started doing that.

 

Beyond the afore mentioned religious or ethnic reasons, I don’t understand the look. It looks odd to say the least.

 

"Wound too tight" is the first thought that comes to mind when I see someone's shirt buttoned all the way up like that. It has an air of social awkwardness to it IMO.

 

Jonny Lee Miller as Sherlock in the TV series Elementary:

Given the nature of the character, this is a very good hint that one should not do so.

 

Yeah, I knew that buttoning the top button without a tie would look odd. The only time I would ever button the top button on my shirt is during my 7th hour jazz band session at school and
I have to have a neck strap around my collar, but right after Jazz band and I immediately unbutton the top button

 

There was a time it seems to me when men were expected to button the top button as a matter of modesty or decency. In some circumstances that varied with class he might also have been expected to wear a tie. When and where I was young it was decidedly old fashioned and essentially rustic to button up with no tie.

Later it came into fashion, based in part on movies like Rain Man and later Get Shorty for knit shirts.

As with many things criticized by the aesthetes on this site, there is absolutely nothing wrong with doing it. In most cases buttoning the top button is a lot better than the current trend of leaving the top two buttons undone.

Plus it seems possibly that for some reason I will not comment on out of politeness people now wear shirts they cannot button comfortably.

 

Yep, definitely more often seen with odd or if you prefer, eccentric characters from entertainment like the aforementioned Sherlock Holmes (Miller version) or TV character Monk. Definitely not a top choice.

 

"Thank gawd I'm a country boy!" We just don't do that.

 

I haven't seen much of that. All I see is people wear dress shirts with the top two or even three buttons undone with a sport coat over it.

 

That photo's shirt's pattern looks like it would be difficult to wear with a tie.

Maybe this is "a thing" worn by those dressing to show / claim they are among an avant-garde. Maybe those doing it well will do it only with shirts that don't go well with ties. I'm not among that group so don't know what they are shooting for. Maybe those in the know would also do it in shirts that would go well with ties. Maybe those wearing the latter would be only those approximating but missing the look of those wearng shirts that don't go well with ties.

I've seen it forever but only by guys attempting to appear artsy.

Is it appearing in regular non-artsy settings?

 

Is it appearing in regular non-artsy settings?

Well, I've seen it around even in offices, although I believe it can be pulled off with a lout shirt or at least one with an interesting pattern or texture, not the plain, solid ones you can usually see around

 

I recall a television advertising campaign from the late 90s/early 00s for what as at the time a pretty new concept. A new internet bank with a strictly online-only presence. No brick and mortar.

The mascot/spokesperson they used was a middle aged gentleman with a German accent, who they tried to make look and sound like a no-nonsense, hardcore banker who demanded that you "save yo mohny" The look they gave him was a navy pinstripe suit, crisp white shirt buttoned to the top, and no tie. Canadian members may recall this one.

Now, I'm not sure the rationale behind the no-tie look for him. Was it a thing in Germany or other parts of Europe at the time? I remember thinking at the time that it looked odd. It likely meant to look odd, and thus, memorable.