Dress shirts are a must, but every guy needs some versatility in their wardrobe. If you are looking for something stylish, but a bit more casual, we highly recommend you look into Oxford shirts. They are certainly gaining some traction for their versatility, fashionability, and affordability, but they are different from your standard button up shirts. 

The fancy name reflects the style and vibe of these men's shirts, and it’s important to be able to distinguish these from other dress shirt fabrics and to know when it is appropriate to wear them.

 

What to Consider Shopping for the Best Oxford Shirt for Men

When embarking on the quest for the perfect men's Oxford shirt, there are several critical factors to consider that can make all the difference in your shopping experience.

In this section, we delve into key aspects that discerning shoppers often prioritize when seeking the best Oxford shirt. From the fabric's quality and the importance of the right fit to the nuances of design and style preferences, we'll explore these crucial elements to help you make an informed decision.

Additionally, we'll discuss pricing considerations, the longevity of your investment, and the growing importance of ethical and sustainable options in today's fashion landscape. So, let's dive in and unravel the essentials.

 

Fabric Quality

When shopping for the best Oxford shirt, one of the key considerations is the quality of the fabric. The fabric used can greatly affect comfort and durability. Look for shirts made from high-quality materials like 100% cotton or a cotton-linen blend. We have a detailed guide breaking down the Oxford cloth.

These fabrics are known for their breathability, softness, and ability to maintain their shape over time. The best Oxford shirt should feel comfortable against the skin while also providing a crisp and polished appearance. 

 

Fit and Sizing

Finding the right fit is essential for a men's Oxford shirt to look and feel great. Most brands offer a range of sizes, but it's crucial to understand the fit and sizing guidelines specific to the brand you're considering.

Some shirts are designed for a slim, modern fit, while others offer a more relaxed or classic fit. Take your body type into account and refer to the brand's sizing chart to ensure you choose the size that suits you best. Here's a detailed guide on how a shirt should fit.

 

Shirt Design and Style

The design and style of an Oxford shirt can vary widely, and your personal preferences play a significant role in your choice. Consider factors like the collar type, which can range from traditional OCBD collars to spread or cutaway collars for a more modern look.

Additionally, pay attention to cuff styles; some shirts feature barrel cuffs, while others sport elegant French cuffs. Understanding the design elements that resonate with your style will help you find the perfect Oxford shirt.

You may want a chest pocket for practicality or opt for one without for a more streamlined look.

 

Price Range and Affordability

When it comes to these shirts, price ranges can vary considerably. You can find budget-friendly options that offer good quality, as well as higher-end designer brands known for their craftsmanship.

It's essential to set a budget that aligns with your preferences and needs. Remember that investing in a higher-quality shirt can often pay off in terms of comfort, longevity, and overall satisfaction. Our overall recommended slim fit Oxford shirts are from Nimble Made. 

 

Durability and Care

Oxford shirts are a timeless addition to any wardrobe, and their durability is a crucial factor to consider. High-quality shirts are designed to withstand regular wear and washing.

To ensure longevity, follow the care instructions provided by the manufacturer, which typically include guidelines on washing, drying, and ironing. Proper care can help your Oxford shirts maintain their fresh and crisp appearance over the long term.

Ethical and Sustainable Options

In today's fashion landscape, ethical and sustainable options are gaining importance for many shoppers. Some brands prioritize sustainability by using eco-friendly materials, ethical labor practices, and responsible manufacturing processes.

If you value these considerations, look for shirts from brands that emphasize sustainability, ensuring that your purchase aligns with your values while providing you with a high-quality shirt that you can feel good about wearing.

 

Best Oxford Shirts for Men

Whether you're dressing up for a formal occasion, adding a touch of sophistication to your work attire, or simply looking for a comfortable yet refined casual option, the Oxford shirt has you covered.

In this curated listicle, we present a handpicked selection of the finest men's shirts available today. Each shirt has been carefully chosen for its exceptional quality, craftsmanship, and style.

Join us as we explore these standout options, making it easier than ever for you to elevate your wardrobe with the best Oxford shirts on the market. 

 

1. [Overall Top SLIM FIT Pick] Light Gray Oxford Shirt for Men - Nimble Made

In the ever-evolving world of men's fashion, an Oxford shirt that seamlessly blends timeless sophistication with modern comfort is a rare find. Nimble Made has not only found this balance but has perfected it in their Light Gray Oxford Button-Up Dress Shirt. Here's why this oxford shirt stands head and shoulders above the rest:

• Unparalleled Craftsmanship: Nimble Made takes pride in its meticulous craftsmanship, and it shows in every stitch of this best Oxford shirt. The attention to detail is evident, from the precisely tailored fit to the exquisite button placement. This level of precision ensures a silhouette that's both flattering and comfortable, a true testament to the brand's commitment to quality.
  
  
• Supreme Comfort: The comfort of an Oxford shirt can never be underestimated, especially for modern men on the move. Nimble Made's Light Gray Oxford doesn't disappoint. Crafted from a premium blend of cotton, this Oxford shirt boasts a soft, breathable feel against the skin, ensuring you stay comfortable throughout your day, whether you're navigating a boardroom meeting or enjoying a night out.
  
  
• Versatility at Its Finest: Versatility is a hallmark of a great Oxford shirt, and Nimble Made has nailed it. The Light Gray hue strikes the perfect balance between classic and contemporary, making it an ideal companion for both formal and casual occasions. Pair it with a tailored suit for a boardroom-ready look or dress it down with jeans for a more relaxed yet refined style.
  
  
• Impeccable Style: Nimble Made's design team understands that subtlety can often speak volumes. The Light Gray Oxford features a timeless button-up collar and a minimalist aesthetic without a chest pocket, making it an understated yet sophisticated addition to any outfit. This Oxford shirt effortlessly elevates your style without ever overshadowing your personality.
  
  
  
• An Ethical Choice: Beyond fashion, Nimble Made is dedicated to ethical and sustainable practices. When you choose the Light Gray Oxford, you're not only investing in your wardrobe but also supporting a brand that values responsible manufacturing and ethical sourcing.

Nimble Made's Light Gray Oxford Button-Up Dress Shirt transcends the ordinary, offering you an unparalleled blend of style, comfort, and quality which is why its the best oxford shirt at the top of our list.

 

2. Grey Button Up Collared Dress Shirt | The Boro

4. Tommy Hilfiger Men's Long Sleeve Button Down Shirt

Tommy Hilfiger has long been synonymous with classic American style, and their Custom Fit Oxford Shirt is no exception. This shirt effortlessly combines the brand's rich heritage with modern design, making it a standout choice for men seeking timeless elegance.

Tommy Hilfiger is renowned for its commitment to quality, and it shines through in every aspect of this Oxford shirt. The shirt is expertly crafted with precision tailoring, ensuring a fit that's not too tight and not too loose—just right.

The attention to detail extends to the stitching and button placement, resulting in a shirt that not only looks sharp but also feels incredibly comfortable.

 

5. Polo Ralph Lauren Men's Long Sleeve Classic Oxford Shirt

When it comes to iconic American fashion, Polo Ralph Lauren is a name that needs no introduction. Their Men's Long Sleeve Oxford Shirt in white and gray is a testament to the brand's commitment to timeless style and exceptional quality.  

Polo Ralph Lauren is renowned for its sophisticated and refined designs, and this Oxford shirt is no exception. Whether you're dressing up for a special occasion or going for a more relaxed look, this oxford shirt effortlessly adapts to your style. They may have other shirts that come with a chest pocket if that's a design feature you're looking for.

 

The Lacoste Long Sleeve Solid Oxford Shirt is a classic and timeless addition to any man's wardrobe. Crafted from high-quality Oxford cotton, this oxford shirt not only offers exceptional comfort but also exudes sophistication.

This slim fit shirt has versatile solid color design makes it perfect for both casual and semi-formal occasions, allowing you to effortlessly transition from the office to a night out. This oxford shirt ensures a comfortable and flattering fit for a broad range of body types

Lacoste is renowned for its premium quality, and this Oxford shirt lives up to that reputation with its durable construction and attention to detail. Whether you pair it with jeans for a laid-back look or dress it up with slacks and a blazer, the Lacoste Oxford Shirt is a stylish and reliable choice that will elevate your wardrobe.

7. Nimble Made - Blue Cutaway Professional Dress Shirt

Now if you ask us, we prefer finer threaded, dress shirts rather than oxford shirts for several reasons and to be honest this isn’t actually an Oxford shirt. That in mind, our absolute favorite pick for a professional dress shirt is the Blue Cutaway Dress Shirt.

Nimble Made’s mission revolves diversity and representation in the fashion world. We do want to mention in advance that this pick is probably best suited for slimmer framed men, but you can check out their sizes on their website.

This high-quality dress shirt is made of 100 percent cotton, has a collar that stays in place due to the engraved metal, and has a cutaway collar for anyone who likes this style. It is a safe choice that promises quality at a great price. 

 

Oxford Cloth or Other Fabric Choices

We gave you a few companies to look into, but maybe you just want to find some high-quality dress shirts individually. You may be asking which is better? Is an oxford shirt the right choice for me, or is sticking to a regular dress shirt a safer decision? It honestly depends on the context, but we prefer regular dress shirts solely based on quality. 

If you want to look good but know you will be moving around a lot at work, then an Oxford dress shirt is better, but if you have an office job where you plan to be pretty stationary, then dress shirts are better. If possible, a mix of both is the safest bet.

This allows you to prepare for any occasion and expands the versatility of your wardrobe. So, after much browsing and research of both, here is what we recommend.

Who Makes the Best Oxford Shirts

We could not end without giving you our list of brands and businesses that sell the best men’s oxford shirts in general.

We made sure to keep quality, value, and versatility in mind when making our selections and chose these companies based on their offerings, rather than just one shirt. Some of these companies’ products are even featured above!

Nimble Made - Best Slim Fit Shirts

Nimble Made stands out as the ultimate destination for high-quality men's dress shirts and Oxford shirts for several compelling reasons. First and foremost, their unwavering commitment to exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail ensures that every shirt they offer is of the highest quality.

Nimble Made sources premium materials and meticulously constructs their shirts to guarantee durability and comfort, which is essential for any wardrobe staple.

One of Nimble Made's key strengths is their dedication to modern, slim-fit designs. Their shirts are tailored to perfection, providing a contemporary and flattering fit that complements various body types.

This focus on fit and style sets them apart, allowing customers to effortlessly achieve a polished and confident look whether they're at the office, a formal event, or a casual outing.

 

UNIQLO - Best Affordable Clothing

UNIQLO is the first business on our list as we pulled some inspiration in how to work an overall outfit with apparel from this store. They have some of the best  shirts and have a Japanese-inspired style that is comfortable, fashionable, and affordable. They are pretty versatile when it comes to Uniqlo Oxford and men of all sizes can find something here. Check out other brands like Uniqlo.

Get $10 off your next online order of $75+ when you sign up for UNIQLO text messages.

J. Crew - Best Retail Store

Next on our list is the store J.Crew. They are versatile in their clothing, but the intended focus here is the Oxford shirt. They deliver a wide array of shirts from formal to more casual shirts and they come in several sizes across many retail stores nationwide. 

They have many different colors, patterns, and sizes to choose from, suitable for many body types. They also have many sizes and take into account both smaller and bigger sized men. 

 

Banana Republic - Best Choice for Versatility

Banana Republic has a great mix of men's shirts. On top of that, they have a good mix of simple, casual clothing and business attire. You can expect quality when you buy from here. With everything said, all the sizes are standard which can be good or bad.

Brooks Brothers is another popular retailer to find a Oxford cloth button down shirt.

What are Oxford Shirts?

History and Origin

Because there’s a specific name attached to these shirts, let’s go over some brief history of the Oxford shirt. As you may be able to guess, the origin of the Oxford shirt is in the United Kingdom and comes from a rather prestigious background. In the 19th century, a Scottish fabric mill named several different types of fabrics based on the Ivy League universities, such as Harvard, Yale, Cambridge, and of course, Oxford. 

Though the others never gained popularity, the Oxford shirt is still popular and thriving today. It gained more popularity in the Polo scene players of the British Raj wore them for the breathable quality. These certainly are not your average button-ups. 

 

Difference Between Oxford and Dress Shirts

You might be thinking that these two look very similar, but a closer look will reveal the differences. First, let us talk about your standard dress shirt. The material for a formal dress shirt is usually made of polyester or cotton, so the feel is lighter, has more sheen, and is also breathable.

The collar is also different since formal shirts can come in multiple styles and the Oxford shirt often are button-downs. These are just the key differences, but we can get into more detail for our serious fashion leaders.

Oxford dress shirts have a basket weave or box-like fabric pattern This gives them a durable, thicker feel and it is not as shiny. Just how they got popular in the polo scene, oxford fabric is better for outdoor activity and even sporty activity.

Bottom line, higher thread count shirts are best for formal business and business casual attire.  Oxford shirts are best worn for business casual and casual occasions. Now that we sorted out those details, we need to talk about styling. People love opting for Oxford because they are versatile, but we want to teach you the best way to optimize your closet.

 

How to Wear an Oxford Shirt

The great thing about Oxford shirts is that you can mix and match them with different jackets, pants, and accessories. The key to styling this successfully is owning the right colors, other easy-to-match apparel, and understanding the setting you will most likely need them in. First, let us talk about color. 

 

Color

You want to own both dress shirts and oxford shirts in colors that are easy to work with. We recommend getting them in colors, such as white, black, gray, and blue. The great thing about blue is that you can get it in many shades ranging from baby blue to navy blue. Here are two examples of how blue works for these shirts. 

This model is showing off how to wear a lighter shade and matches it with a simple crew neck white shirt and a silver chain, whereas this model is sporting a navy blue oxford with a gray crew neck and slim chino pants. Both these products are examples pulled from the company H&M but these are wardrobe basics that you can likely pick up from any men’s apparel store, from budget-friendly to luxe.

Other Apparel

A nice dress shirt needs to be complemented with the right accessories. Dress shirts can get pretty pricey, so you want to make sure you have a wardrobe that compliments your shirts so you can easily mix and match your styles. We want to show you how to create the illusion of 100 different outfits with just a handful of quality pieces of clothing. We want to show you what you can buy individually (pants, shirts, jewelry) and how to layer everything to create the perfect look.

Pants

Chino slim pants are a must for both oxford and dress shirts. They can be on the more business casual side, but you would probably need to observe your workplace atmosphere to determine what works best. We recommend owning a pair of khaki, black, and gray chinos. One style example would be a white oxford dress shirt with khaki chinos. This could be an outfit on its own on a nice Spring day, and you can add other outer layers for the Autumn and Winter seasons. Lastly, if you are working somewhere strictly business, black dress pants and a white dress shirt is always safe.

Shirts/ Long Sleeves 

Now if you want to go more casual and reveal your shirt underneath, we recommend going with a shirt that works with your body type. For the guys with smaller chests, a crew neck t-shirt or long sleeve is a better fit as crew necks accentuate your neck and give the illusion of a bigger neck and upper body appearance. If you do have a bigger chest, a v-neck is more suitable since it makes your neck look longer and slimmer, and ultimately, show off the pecs you’ve been working out at the gym. 

Like we said earlier, getting colors that are easy to mix and match with are easier to style, but there is room for some fun colors if you are going for a casual weekend appearance. If you follow the link to the khaki chinos pants we mentioned earlier, you will notice the model is wearing a fun shirt, perfect for a night out with friends.

Jewelry and Accessories 

Accessories are a hit or miss for some guys. Some are comfortable with experimentation and others never really found interest in it. If you want to try something different, we suggest a simple silver or gold necklace that stays close to the collar. It provides that little pop of color that gives you a bold and unique look. Besides jewelry, you can find it to be lots of fun playing around with different ties, tie clips, and even socks. From the brand Nimble Made, we found a tie clip that is minimal, yet fun. Take the time to find what you are comfortable with as experimentation should be a fun process that allows you to find your unique style.

Shoes

Shoes are instrumental in tying an outfit together. They help set the mood for the outfit, whether it is formal, business casual, or just casual. Here is a quick guide from Insider that shares tips on how to wear different styles of shoes with an outfit. If we were to pick essentials to have on hand, we suggest a pair of sneakers, loafers, and boots.

How to Match Everything Together

Now that we gave you a list of individual items to own, it is time to tie in a whole outfit together. If you are in the warmer seasons like Spring and Summer, it is not as difficult since you do not want to layer up. Just simply having a dress shirt, Oxford-style or not, some nice slim chinos, and a pair of loafers can do the trick depending on the setting. You can wear a white dress shirt and black pants if you need to look more business professional. 

It gets a little more complex when dressing up during the Winter and Fall seasons. This is the time you get to be more creative and layer up with some jackets, cardigans, and sweaters. Of course, you want to stick with blazers for a formal look. There are more textures that you can explore like wool cardigans or windbreaker jackets. As you will see in our next topic, some businesses are inspired by fashion trends from around the world and you can find what is most fitting for you.

 

Final Thoughts

We hope you found the information you were looking for and got some styling tips along the way. Again, the best Oxford shirts are a great investment and something we deem essential for any guy’s wardrobe. They have some different features from your standard dress shirts, but ultimately, it depends on your lifestyle to decide which one better suits you.

We definitely love standard dress shirts because of the breathability and quality, but the price, depending on where you shop, can dig a deep hole in your wallet. Oxford shirts are budget-friendly, convenient, and better suited for a casual appearance. Check out some of our Oxford shirt links, explore the various brands, and be daring in your fashion adventures.