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10 Best Oxford Shirts for Men
The Oxford shirt is a wardrobe staple in men’s fashion. Whether you wear it as a solo dress shirt, undershirt for your suit, or for a clean and casual look, the Oxford shirt is both versatile and fashionable.
From an etymologist’s point of view, the “Oxford” in the shirt doesn’t refer to where the shirt originated from, but by how the shirt was sewn. Oxford shirts are weaved from Oxford cloth, a fabric with a basketweave or Panama weave structure.
The common story is the Oxford weave came from a Scottish mill in the 19th century who named four of their fabrics after famous institutions – Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, and Yale.
Now, the basketweave structure still holds its own against modern fabrics like synthetic cotton or polyester, and even against other weaves like poplin. We’ve indexed sites, looked through reviews, and compared benefits against price points to bring you a list of the best Oxford shirts in the business.
Check out our top 10 best men’s Oxford shirts from Next Luxury.
Best Buy
1. Brooks Brothers Milano Fit Oxford Sport Shirt
Starting off with the best choice, Brooks Brothers has a reputation for quality, longevity, and comfort. This men’s clothing chain is more than two centuries old and has been making excellent clothes for men since 1818. Men’s dress shirts are not simple everyday wear. They’re often used in corporate settings with matching attires, and even in more corporate occasions as a formal dress shirt under your blazer.
Furthermore, even if they were something you would wear every day, there’s great value in investing a little more for a premium experience. The Brooks Brothers original polo button-down Oxford Milano slim-fit dress shirt might be on the pricier side, but it is a novel item that’s worth the price. Their price to quality ratio is highly regarded by many, with their white Oxford shirts being the most popular choice.
Oxford cloth is durable and breathable, making it the ideal fabric for long sleeve shirts that feel a little too hot when made with heavy cotton or synthetic materials. Some variations of the Oxford shirt by Brooks Brothers also feature the comfortable Supima cotton, which is a soft yet durable fabric.
2. Thom Browne Classic Oxford Shirt
Although Oxford dress shirts might feel like a boring, plain-looking shirt, this isn’t the case for Thom Browne apparel. The American fashion brand balances its shirts by being very fashion-forward without sticking out like a sore thumb. Thom Browne shirts are cut slimmer, with hemlines that are commonly shorter than the average length of Oxford shirts.
Cotton is used to weave this Oxford cloth, making it super soft and comfortable to wear. The collars are on the bigger side as well and the cuffs are beautifully fit for each customer. Their classic Oxford shirt is the basic package, with a simple shirt that has been designed and weaved to perfection. What makes Thom Browne a fashion-forward brand is in how their Oxford shirts are patterned or printed.
Thom Browne OCBDs have unique and stylish prints that give the whole concept of Oxford shirts a makeover. For its premium market, Thom Browne has cemented itself as one of the best brands for Oxford shirts.
3. Uniqlo Men Oxford Regular Fit Long Sleeve Shirt
Uniqlo is an excellent brand for both men and women. Their Oxford regular-fit long sleeve shirt is made with pure cotton, and the fit has little to no complaints from various reviews online.
Although this is a budget choice, getting a Uniqlo classic Oxford shirt is an absolute steal for the value you’re getting. Uniqlo’s clothing quality is considered one of the best in the market for its price range.
This Oxford shirt from Uniqlo starts at $29, making it the best choice for a smaller budget on this list. You can expect this slim-fit OCBD shirt to last you for years with the proper care. The Japanese company has been getting its well-deserved spotlight in recent years by competing at congested price ranges while delivering quality through and through.
All in all, Uniqlo has a lot to offer. If you’re on a tight budget or want to buy a lot of Oxford shirts for face-to-face corporate work, then I confidently recommend Uniqlo’s products.
4. Bonobos Stretch Oxford Shirt
Whether you’re tall and lanky or short and muscular, there is a big chance Bonobos has the perfect Oxford shirt for you. If you’re looking for a classic or pink Oxford shirt that’s slim fit, then you’ve come to the right place. Bonobos’ stretch Oxford shirt is a timeless design piece that combines elegance with comfort.
As a snippet of detail, Bonobos’ Oxford shirt uses a barrel cuff. The added 2 percent spandex out of the 98 percent cotton fabric makes the formal shirt a great classic style choice to go under your blazer. Not only are we talking about looking good in formal settings, but these shirts look great with semi-formal attire when paired together with chinos.
Don’t worry about fitting into the dress code. Roll your sleeves up a couple of times to go from formal-corporate to semi-casual.
5. Frank and Oak Jasper Oxford Shirt
Frank and Oak might sound like an old name, but they’ve only been around since 2009. If the fact the company has only been around for 12 years makes you weary about their quality, then we’re here to debunk your misconceptions. First off, the Frank and Oak’s Jasper Oxford shirt is decorated with many compliments, but the easiest highlight according to many reviews is the softness of the fabric.
This cotton Oxford button-down collar shirt comes with rounded cuffs and a chest pocket. The overall shirt is a slim fit design, with the notable design of the sleeves fitting perfectly for most individuals. Being one of the best Oxford shirts on this list, Frank and Oak offer a wide variety of seasonal colors that you can choose from.
Oxford cloth button-down shirts are a great way to avoid having your collar crease or flap around. Furthermore, this shirt comes with a spread collar, which unlike unlined collars, is the most universal dress shirt style.
6. Polo Ralph Lauren Classic-Fit Oxford Short-Sleeve Shirt
Who said Oxford shirts have to be made with long sleeves? Although the classic wardrobe style of men’s fashion and polo players usually meant having a long sleeve dress shirt, the modern take on Oxford shirts has come a long way since then. Ralph Lauren sells a short-sleeved classic fit Oxford shirt that’s made from 100% cotton with a button-down point collar.
This men’s shirt is by far the best choice for casual wear on this list. The design helps keep your arms mobile without too much restriction on the elbows while keeping the option of leaving the buttons open while wearing a matching undershirt. The cotton fabric keeps it airy and breathable. For tall men, this is a major plus.
Ralph Lauren has a reputation for covering the big market, literally. Big and tall men have the option of choosing up to 62-inch chest sizes, with sleeves that extend as long as 38 inches.
7. Abercrombie & Fitch Icon Logo Oxford Shirt
Another stretchy addition to the list, Abercrombie & Fitch offers a beautiful Oxford shirt at a reasonable price. While you might be familiar with Abercrombie when you were a teen in the 90s, as an adult there are a lot of clothes the American brand can offer for your wardrobe. Although it shouldn’t be dry cleaned, Abercrombie’s Oxford shirt is comfortable and slim fitting.
Unlike some items on this list, you can wash this with a machine and use a warm iron if needed. A staple of men’s fashion, you can choose the classic white or navy Oxford shirt at Abercrombie’s online store. According to reviews, the color and fit remain in pristine condition despite years of use.
Abercrombie styles a round cuff, which is a more fitting finish when compared to French cuffs. For those of you that want a high-quality cotton Oxford shirt at a respectable price, you can’t beat this option from Abercrombie.
8. Kamakura Slim Fit Sport Button-Down Oxford Shirt
Japanese brands have not disappointed us so far, and Kamakura is no different. The Tokyo slim fit sport button-down Oxford shirt is a modern take on the 1960s classic by the Japanese clothing line Kamakura. The shirt comes with a chest pocket and button cuffs. The simple and clean design features a front placket, which adds a level of casualness to the apparel.
This is made from 100 percent premium cotton, making it a soft and comfortable shirt. The collar roll on Kamakura’s pieces are unreal and go a long way for casual attire or a comfortable undershirt with a blazer. Collar rolls are underrated and Kamakura knows exactly how to deliver to that market.
The Japanese brand isn’t your usual brand, like Gitman, a vintage choice for westerners. Despite being a relatively new company, Kamakura and its products have already performed exceptionally overseas.
9. Golden Goose Plain Oxford Shirt
Golden Goose is one of those luxury brands only the really rich can usually afford. Founded in 2000 by Alessandro Gallo and Francesca Rinaldo, this Italian brand first specialized in unique sneakers that cost an arm and a leg. They’ve since expanded into both men’s and women’s clothing and accessories and are well known for delivering quality products.
Golden Goose’s take on the Oxford shirt is surprisingly affordable (if you work two jobs). Constructed from cotton with a timeless design, it’s the perfect shirt for date night, work, or a night out with the boys.
10. Club Monaco Button-up Oxford Shirt
Oxford shirts don’t always have to be plain. This nifty little number from Club Monaco comes in two striped varieties: grey and navy/camel.
An easy fit made from breathable 100% Oxford cotton tailored for the modern man, this shirt comes with a top pocket, button cuffs, and a point collar. Machine wash and tumble dry approved, this is an excellent Oxford shirt to add some difference to your wardrobe of plain business style shirts.
Oxford shirts FAQs
During the 19th century, a Scottish mill invented multiple weaving techniques, which were then named after four famous institutions: Cambridge, Yale, Harvard, and most notably, Oxford. Unlike the first three, Oxford has gone on to become the staple term to collectively describe these types of shirts.
Historically, the name caught on because it was popular amongst the middle classes back in the 19th century. These are called Oxford shirts, not because they’re from Oxford, but due to the fact that these clothes were made with Oxford fabric.
When choosing an Oxford shirt, a rule of thumb you can use is to make sure it fits you perfectly. This means the shoulder-length sits just right on your shoulders, the sleeves end near the bone of your wrist, and the hem ends a couple of inches past your hips.
Oxford shirts are made with different levels of cotton. Certain shirts can be a little thicker or softer than others. It can’t be stressed enough that it’s always advisable to try an Oxford shirt in person before purchase as this will give you the best feel for the clothing.
Undoubtedly, the best color for an Oxford shirt is white. This is because the white works with all types of occasions. An undershirt for a suit, a top for a semi-casual attire, and so on.
White is considered neutral and formal and is a staple color for men’s fashion.
The best thing about Oxford shirts is they can be worn in any situation – whether you’re out for a casual night with your friends having drinks or wearing your shirt for a formal occasion such as a wedding. Experiment and have fun!
As previously mentioned, Oxford shirts can be mixed and matched with other pieces of clothing to create a casual vibe or a smarter look. If you’re going for the latter, try pairing your Oxford shirt with clean, tailored pants, and an exquisite pair of Chelsea boots.
However, if you’re going for a more casual look, then a popular pairing would be to wear some fresh jeans and an impressive pair of casual sneakers.
