Blog

Nov 13, 2023

The Best Oxford Shirts for Men in 2023, According to Style Experts

Our product picks are editor-tested, expert-approved. We may earn a commission through links on our site. Why Trust Us? They're easy to wear, and look great with just about anything in your closet.

Our product picks are editor-tested, expert-approved. We may earn a commission through links on our site. Why Trust Us?

They're easy to wear, and look great with just about anything in your closet.

COLLARED SHIRTS have always been a building block of menswear, but they can be straight-up uncomfortable. This is still true for some button-down shirts, but there's one style that's so comfortable we could easily consider it loungewear: oxford shirts. Inspired by the English and invented in New England, the oxford shirt grew to notoriety in the late 19th century on Ivy League campuses.

Legend has it that oxford creator John E. Brooks, grandson of Brooks Brothers' founder, was inspired by English polo players, whose button-downs featured buttoned collars to keep them in place while riding. Another defining feature of the Oxford shirt is its thick, basketweave fabric. College students loved that it was softer, more durable, and easier to maintain than stiff dress shirts. Plus, it was polished enough to pass Ivy League dress codes. That's how the oxford became a primary piece of the Ivy style movement in the 1950s and 1960s, and has stayed as a menswear staple ever since.

But you don't have to be an East Coast prep to rock these styles. Today, the best men's oxford shirts are versatile, and play nice with jeans, loafers, or Jordans. You can even wear them with a pair of joggers or track pants to step up your athleisure fit. They make for great vacation shirts thrown over swim trunks, or under a blazer for your office uniform. Of course, oxford shirts will always look amazing with chinos, a duo that will never go out of style. Ahead, we found the best oxford shirts worth their salt.

Oxford shirts are probably neck and neck with polo shirts as Ralph Lauren's most iconic item. Ralph adds its embroidered logo in lieu of a shirt pocket, and you can dress this all the way up with a suit and tie, or you can go casual with gym shorts and sandals for an easy weekend errand fit.

The OG oxford maker has churned out many variations on the design in the past century, but it's hard to go wrong with a classic. This one has a slightly bigger collar than most shirts, and has a large chest pocket, along with a 6-pleat cuff., which looks great under a sports jacket.

Everlane is a pro at sourcing luxury-level fabrics at a relatively affordable price point. For this shirt, the brand turned to the renowned cotton mills of Japan, using slow-spun yarn for a soft feel. It's cut slim for a polished look, so you can wear this without a jacket and still look dressed up.

J.Crew has long been known for mixing classic American styles with the current menswear vibe. Its oxford shirts have always been a fundamental part of the brands success. With a large variety of colors and patterns are always available, refreshing each season, J.Crew oxfords are a fan favorite among well-dressed guys. On top of all the variety, they sell some of the softest oxford cloth in the game at a very fair price.

To set their oxford shirts apart, Todd Snyder added a button to the chest pocket to keep your storage secure. A medium width button down collar, a single pleat sleeve, and a sturdy-yet-buttery soft fabric make for an all-day, every-day shirt.

Amazon Essentials is known for dependable, no frills gear and clothing for very affordable prices, and this shirt lives up to its reputation. It comes in a looser fit with a narrow collar and a single pleated cuff for a casual-yet-professional vibe.

Faherty developed a performance fabric blend to make its oxford shirt the perfect balance of soft, sturdy, moisture-wicking, and stretchy. Wear it to work, workouts (yes, really!) and everywhere in between.

Le Alfre is a new menswear brand that makes a few things really well. Among them: this perfect oxford shirt. The white contrast collar, also know as a banker collar, was big in the 1980s and is associated with Wall Street and the golden age of preppy. Le Alfre has resurrected this vintage look with a slimmer cut for a modern finish.

Thom Browne's designs are heavily influenced by prep school uniforms, which is why the white oxford has always been his primary shirt. In typical Thom Browne fashion, signature details are just visible enough to identify the brand without interfering with the fundamental look of the shirt. The red, white, and blue grosgrain ribbon runs along the inside of the button placket and on a small tag under the back of the collar. There is also a small patch along the waist that easily tucks in.

For sheer variety in size and fabric, no one can beat Charles Tyrwhitt. These oxford shirts come in three different cuts. All have a medium collar and double-pleated cuffs for a classic look.

Fabric: Oxford cloth is made with a basket weave that creates a thicker cloth which is much more resistant to wrinkling, rips, and wear than other dress shirt fabrics. This means you have to iron them less, and they last longer.

The real selling point is softness. Some brands are softer than others based on materials used in the fabric, and any washing process they put the shirts through before selling them. In general, you can depend on oxford cloth to have a softness similar to a good sweatshirt.

Maintenance Note: To keep oxford cloth soft, always machine wash on cold and air dry. This will keep the fibers from tightening up and getting a rougher feel.

Fit: Traditionally, oxford shirts have come in that boxier fit often referred to as “classic.” If you’re looking for that classic Ivy style look or just prefer a looser fit, then stick to classic cuts. However, oxford shirts are so popular and so common that you can get them in any fit imaginable. For a business setting or with formalwear, it is better to go with a slimmer cut.

Color: The three fundamental oxford colors are solid white, solid light blue, and a white with a light blue stripe that exposes the white fibers in the weave. You want to own at least one of these three options because they go with absolutely everything. From there, you can get oxfords in practically any color and pattern. Pastel pinks, yellows, and greens are part of the Ivy look and never a bad choice.

Pocket or No Pocket? Some brands put chest pockets on their oxford shirts and some don’t, it’s really as simple as that. Having a pocket is a more relaxed look. Not having a pocket is a little sleeker.

Brad is a contributing style commerce editor. After a decade working for menswear brands including J.Crew and Ralph Lauren, Brad switched from selling fashion to writing about it. His words have appeared in Huckberry, Heddels, and The Manual.

Take up to 50% Off Vuori's Huge Sale Section Now

The Best Lululemon Finds to Score This Month

10 Desert Boots That Are Tough, Comfy, and Stylish

Black Friday Menswear Deals Are Already Here

Nike Ultimate Sale: Take 30% Off Running Shoes

Don't Miss Vuori's Cheaper-Than-Ever Sale Section

Shop Lululemon's Overstock Section

Mr. Porter's Sale Section Is the Best It's Ever Be

21 Sweaters That You'll Never Want to Take Off

Layer up for Fall With a Harrington Jacket

Shop Rhone's Massive Fall Sale

Loewe and On's New Collaboration Is Even Sleeker