There's a new shirt style that's giving the classic button-down some serious competition – the frog fastening. Defined by its ornamental knitted loop and toggles, they have taken over the high street. Noticeably, Zara's linen version has become something of a cult buy after selling out (it has since been restocked).
This distinctive fastening has a long history, originating from traditional Chinese clothing, where fabric loops and decorative knots were commonplace, and later became a core part of military clothing in Europe. More recently, it was used in military-inspired clothing in the early Noughties, returning in 2026 on shirts and utility-style jackets, and now it's being reworked into elegant blouses and shirts, offering a trendy alternative to classic button-downs.
