Every single guy reading this should have an Oxford in his wardrobe. Along with Chino’s and Jeans, Oxfords are the workhorse of your closet. I love my Oxfords. They are less formal than standard dress shirts, can be dressed up or down, and are perfect for a year-round wardrobe. I will not only show you the Best Oxford Shirts for Men you can get for the money but provide a whole lot of good info to help you look great in your Oxford shirt.
Click to go straight to the Best Men’s Oxford Shirt Buying Guide
What is an oxford shirt?
Let’s start with a little history. The Oxford shirt was originally made in the 19th century in Scottish mills. The shirt became extremely popular in the 50s as an Ivy League staple and is probably the most popular men’s collared shirt today because of its ability to easily transform from casual to business casual wear.
What’s the difference between an oxford shirt and a dress shirt?
When the first Oxford shirt came out of the mills in the 1800’s formal shirts were really expensive. The less expensive oxford was a perfect option for the expanding middle class. When compared to dress shirts oxford shirts are made from a thicker basket weave fabric vs a fine cloth for a more formal dress shirt. The basket weave is made up of two types of yarn. One is woven lengthwise against a heavier yarn giving it a thicker feel and appearance. Oxford shirts have button collars compared to the stiff collar of the dress shirt.
If you’re going to be wearing a suit you should absolutely consider a proper dress shirt. It can be done, but pulling off an Oxford in anything other than a blazer is going to be a tall order. I would also consider alternatives like bomber, coach, or Harrington jackets.
Why should you add an oxford dress shirt to your wardrobe?
Because like I said earlier everyone should have one. But if you’re not going to take my word for it, here are some other reasons.
1. Oxfords can be worn with almost anything – Oxfords can be worn with wool pants, chinos, and jeans. You can throw on a lightweight jacket like a bomber or a nice v-neck merino sweater. Basically, anything you can think of. But as I said before think twice before pairing with a full suit.
2. More comfortable than dress shirts – The idea of wearing a dress shirt on the weekend with your favorite shorts is a non-starter for most of us. But a well worn in Oxford is almost as good as your favorite hoodie.
3. Can take a beating and keep on ticking – Because of the thicker fabric Oxfords are long-lasting and will handle the abuse that would bring most dress shirts to their knees. That’s why a lot of manufacturers are starting to call their Oxfords ‘Everyday Shirts’.
What color oxford shirt should I own?
The common thought is to go with a white or light blue Oxford. I also like to throw in a navy or dark blue. The dark blue color looks great with lt beige or sand chinos, or your favorite dark wash or selvage jeans.
How Should An Oxford Dress Shirt Fit?
Use our Dress Shirt Guide to help you get the best fit (coming soon).
13 Of The Best Oxford Shirts for Men
Designer Options
These designer options are my top choices for where to buy Oxfords. These Oxfords are made to the highest quality using the best materials. Expect to pay anywhere from $150-$200+ for a quality shirt.
1. Gitman Vintage Oxfords – Oxfords can technically be made from a number of materials, but if you are looking for that classic Oxford made from 100% cotton as with a true Cambridge Oxford, Gitman has the answer with their Vintage Oxford Dress Shirts. This brand prides itself on providing not only ideally made Oxfords in many different colors but manufacturing them to be durable as well.
2. Filippa K Pierre Oxford Shirt
3. Todd Snyder Japanese Selvedge Oxfords
4. Outclass Oxford Dress Shirts
5. Alex Mill Over-dyed Oxford Shirt – Alex Mill is among the Oxford shirt manufactures that provides both a crisp, professional look as well as more of a weathered design. No matter which you choose, you will be able to enjoy the comfort and wearability of this impeccable brand. Sizes range from x-small all the way to x-large, so most men can find their ideal fit and as far as colors are concerned, they are too numerous to mention.
6. Brooks Brothers Milano Fit Oxford Shirt
Budget-Friendly Options
I’ve scoured the internet looking for great quality Oxford shirts for a great price. These shirts still have nice cuts and are made from good materials. Price start as low as $50 and up.
7. J. Crew American Pima Cotton Oxford Shirt – For a classic slim fitting Oxford, I trust the J. Crew Slim Fit American Pima Cotton Oxford with Mechanical Stretch. This dress shirt comes in deep blues and greys as well as pastel colors, so it is easy to find the right color to fit your style. As for size, from x-small, all the way to xx-large will give enough wiggle room for multiple sizes as well.
8. Farnol Everyday Oxford Shirt – Easy to wear and easy to care for, the Farnol Everyday Oxford Shirt is ideal for the busy individual as well. The shirts are comprised of 100% long staple cotton, so durability and comfort come standard, but they also provide a modern silhouette that is a popular choice for most professionals. Sizes come in x-small to x-large.
9. Drapeau Noir Oxford
10. Taylor Stitch The Jack Everyday Oxford
11. Buck Mason Perfect Oxford One Pocket Shirt
12. Asket The Oxford Shirt – It can take a lot of time to shop for your ideal Oxford and sometimes, that time is not available for the busy business professional. Luckily, there is an online-only brand that makes the choices easy. This straightforward Oxford shirt from Asket is truly a no-frills type of shirt, but it is comprised of high-quality materials such as soft brushed American cotton.
Best Oxford Shirts for Men Outfit Ideas
This is one of my favorite outfits. An Oxford with a pair of dark wash jeans, a navy blazer, and a pair of wing tips. I perfect outfit for heading out to dinner, or out to the bar after work.
1. Blazer: J. Crew Ludlow Legacy blazer in American wool ($350)
2. Shirt: J. Crew American Pima Cotton White Oxford ($50)
3. Jeans: J. Crew 770 Stretch Jeans in Indigo ($98)
4. Belt: J. Crew classic buckle belt ($45)
5. Shoes: J. Crew Ludlow Brogue Oxfords ($298)
6. Pocket Square: Tie Bar Craft Cotton Solid White Pocket Square ($10)
Another way I like to wear Oxford’s is with a bear of shorts. In this case a pair of NWKC Charcoal shorts. Just make sure you roll up the sleeves when pairing your Oxford with shorts.
1. Shirt: J. Crew American Pima Cotton LT Blue Oxford Shirt ($50)
2. Shorts: NWKC 007 Charcoal Shorts ($112)
3. Sneakers: Oliver Cabell Low 1s White Sneakers ($178)
4. Cap: Varsity headwear Navy College Series Snapback Cap ($62)
The star of this outfit is one of my favorite kicks sold by J. Crew, the Killshot 2. They go perfectly with the Rogue Territory Standard issue Jeans, the Alex Mill Plain T-Shirt, and the J. Crew Tonal Blue Oxford.
1. Shirt: J. Crew American Pima cotton oxford shirt – Tonal Blue ($50)
2. T-Shirt: Alex Mill Standard Cotton Jersey T-Shirt- Navy ($55)
3. Denim: Rogue Territory Standard Issue 15 OZ ($240)
4. Shoes: Nike X J. Crew Killshot 2 ($90)
6. Belt: J. Crew classic buckle belt ($45)
