After months of going back and forth between the Sézane Max and Tomboy shirts, I finally made a decision to welcome Max home — and I’m so glad I did. It fits perfectly amongst my other Sézane wardrobe essentials, and has become a staple in my closet that I reach for weekly.
The quest for the perfect crisp white button down seems to be never-ending. There’s always one more style, one more brand that nailed it, one more cut that is going to make you look (and feel, apparently) like Katharine Hepburn. But the truth is, the “perfect” white button down is not going to be a one size fits all.
For me, the perfect white button down had to meet 3 qualifications:
- 100% Cotton or natural materials
- A tad bit oversized
- Personalization options
Sézane is my ole reliable, especially when it comes to French girl staples, which has made the classic white button down its hero piece. Their knitwear is just as beloved, and I did a full breakdown of the Emile vs Basile cardigans if you’re deciding between the two.
I loved that their shirts met all 3 of my qualifications, but the personalization really sold it for me. I was able to choose a word up to 10 characters, and had many options to choose from for thread colors. Ultimately, I ended up getting my initials ‘ssm’ all in lowercase red thread. It was perfect.
While I’m very happy with my purchase, this is the review that I wish existed before buying the Sézane Max shirt. In this review, we’ll cover everything from sizing to fit, quality, how to style, personalization, differences between the Max and Tomboy, and overall impressions. So, let’s get into it.
Sézane Max Shirt: First Impressions and Fit
Now, this is where I wish I had done a bit more research before purchasing my Sézane Max shirt. It’s true what they say about the shirt running quite large. It is already oversized to begin with, so keep that in mind before selecting your size.
Knowing that it was already going to be oversized, I still went with my usual size, 4 (S). If I could go back, I definitely would have sized down to a 2. I didn’t realize how oversized this shirt actually is! You can see in the pictures below, the top measure 24″ across, giving it a very wide look and feel.
I noticed very quickly that this is not one of those shirts you can easily tuck in to your jeans or trousers. You can, but you will have quite a bit of fabric hanging out the sides and back. I think this shirt is meant to be worn more loosely, giving off that carefree, I-woke-up-like-this kind of energy.
As you can see from the photos above, once tucked in properly, the Max shirt actually looks quite nice. It’s not as sophisticated as a well-fitted shirt, but it definitely does the job. Personally, I would wear the shirt tucked in or out, depending on the occasion.
Quality & Material: Is It As Good As It Looks?
Other than it being more oversized than I expected, the quality of this shirt is lovely. It is 100% cotton, made in Portugal, and it’s more of a stiff / thick cotton material. I notice that it does tend to wrinkle easily, but nothing a quick steam can’t fix. Plus, I think it plays into the carefree spirit of the shirt.
As with most cotton shirts, I anticipate the Sézane max shirt softening over time with more gentle washes and wear. I’ve only washed this shirt twice, both times in a garment bag on low heat, and turning the shirt inside out so as not to disturb the personalization.
A note about the personalization which confused me at first — on the back of the embroidery, there’s a small piece of fabric stitched behind it. I thought it was odd, but it turns out it’s completely intentional.
It’s a backing that protects the cotton from distorting during the embroidery process and keeps the thread tails from scratching your skin. Knowing that now, I appreciate the quality even more!
How I Style My Sézane Max Shirt
My favorite way to style the Sézane Max shirt is by wearing it tucked out loosely over a pair of shorts, jeans, or white linen/cotton pants.
As it’s the perfect lightweight cotton shirt for spring/summer, I especially love styling it under a trench for the transitional weather months. Speaking of trench coats, I actually own the Sézane Scott Trench in Olive — you can read my full review of the Scott Trench coat here!
Here are some of my favorite outfits formulas to wear with this shirt:
- Sézane Max shirt + trench coat + white shorts + loafers + hobo bag
- Sézane Max shirt + straight jeans + ballet flats + statement bag
- Sézane Max shirt + balloon jeans + sandals + statement bag + chunky sweater
Sézane Max Shirt vs. Tomboy Shirt — What’s the Difference?
I don’t own the Tomboy shirt, so I can’t speak to this one from personal experience. However, it is the question everyone asks before buying, so I did my research and here’s what you need to know.
The biggest difference comes down to one thing: fit. Despite its name, the Tomboy is actually the more classic, structured of the two. It has a straighter, slimmer cut that sits closer to the body. The Max, as you know by now, is the truly oversized one. Longer, wider, boxier, and with that carefree drape that makes it effortlessly French.
To put it in numbers — in a US size 4, the Tomboy measures about 19.5″ across, while the Max measures 24″. That’s a pretty significant difference, and no amount of sizing up in the Tomboy will fully replicate the Max’s silhouette.
A few other differences worth noting:
- Tucking: The Tomboy is much easier to tuck in neatly, making it the better choice if you love a French tuck or a more professional, tailored look. The Max, with all its volume, tends to bunch up when tucked.
- Sizing: Sézane recommends sizing down in the Max… and so do I (since it runs intentionally oversized), whereas the Tomboy tends to run TTS. I would say only go up in the Tomboy if you are between sizes, otherwise take your regular size.
- Vibe: The Tomboy leans classic and versatile. The Max leans relaxed, carefree, and a little more editorial. Think: the Tomboy is your go-to for the office, the Max is your off-duty uniform. Pair the Tomboy with one of my favorite office bags and you’ve got a complete work look.
My personal verdict? If you want classic, go Tomboy. If you want effortless, go Max. Personally, I went Max and I haven’t looked back. Although, I do plan on adding the Tomboy to my collection soon! I’ll do a proper comparison here once I do.
Final Thoughts: Is the Sézane Max Shirt Worth It?
The Sézane Max Shirt is a timeless pieces that will earn its place in your wardrobe through its sheer wearability.
Is it perfect? Almost. I wish I had sized down, and I’ll be honest: if you’re someone who loves a tucked-in, polished button-down, you may prefer something like the Tomboy shirt instead. But if you’re after that effortless, thrown-on-over-everything kind of shirt that works every single time — this is it.
The 100% cotton, the monogram option, the rounded hem, and the way it layers under a trench all adds up to a piece I love reaching for every week. At around $125, it’s one of the more accessible pieces from Sézane, and in my opinion, one of the best.
And if this shirt has you falling deeper into the Sézane rabbit hole…same. I’ve rounded up 24 brands with a similar French-girl aesthetic that I personally love and wear. A few of them have become just as much of a staple in my wardrobe as this shirt!
If you end up ordering one, I’d love to hear which color you went with, so let me know in the comments below! À bientôt!
