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The best Oxford shirts are workhorses. They can be worn with a full suit, chinos and sneakers or even shorts and sandals. Between uses, you can throw an Oxford shirt in the wash with the rest of your clothes, or ball it up in a suitcase without worrying about wrinkles.
So what makes the best Oxford shirts so rugged and dependable? It’s all in the namesake fabric. Oxford cotton uses a basketweave construction that yields more thickness than regular dress shirt cloth. Almost all Oxford shirts also feature a button-down collar, which lends a clean look while wearing a tie.
Ruggedness aside, the unique Oxford shirts are also undeniably stylish. Initially worn by polo players and later by Ivy Leaguers, the Oxford shirt has been proven as a casual staple, time and again, since style legends such as Paul Newman wore them back in the fifties and sixties. Now, you can wear Oxford shirts with just about anything in your wardrobe — be it penny loafers and jeans (à la Fifties prep) or unbuttoned over a tee with Jordans and baggy chinos.
If your wardrobe is currently lacking an Oxford shirt, it’s time to fix that. Below are some of the best Oxford shirts for men, including crisp, classic white Oxfords to adventurous designer options.
1. Ralph Lauren Polo Long Sleeve Oxford Shirt
Courtesy Amazon
You won’t find a more classic Oxford shirt than this one from Polo Ralph Lauren. It boasts a crisp, high-quality Oxford cotton construction, a button-down collar and a classic fit (not too slim, not too baggy). Of course, there’s also the iconic pony logo on the chest for bonus points. The dapper shirt is obviously most classic and versatile in white, but we also love it in pink, yellow or navy to spice things up. Wear this one with everything from a tie and jacket at a wedding to shorts, sandals and a bucket hat at the beach.
2. Mr P. Button-Down Collar Cotton Oxford Shirt
Courtesy Mr Porter
Mr P., the in-house brand at Mr Porter, is one of our favorite stops for straightforward, well-made staples. This Oxford shirt, offered in either blue or white, is a great pick from the basics brand. It features all the hallmarks of a classic Oxford, including a button-down collar and a chest pocket, as well as mother-of-pearl buttons. With a regular fit, it’s a great fit for everyone, whether you wear it over a tee or by itself.
3. AMI Blue & White Striped Ami De Coeur Shirt
Courtesy Ssense
For an understated Oxford with a twist, check out this shirt from AMI. From far away the color looks light blue, but get closer and you’ll notice that it’s actually blue and white striping. We’re also big fans of the AMI logo, a red A with a heart on top, seen here on the chest. Combine this logo with the unique striping and you’ve got a great tool for upgrading office outfits or polishing up your casual wardrobe.
4. Kingsman + Turnbull & Asser White Cotton Royal Oxford Shirt
Courtesy Mr Porter
This shirt, produced by Turnbull & Asser under the brand Kingsman, takes the classic Oxford and makes it a bit dressier. Instead of a button-down collar, the shirt features a structured spread collar with removable stays to create a sharp-looking neckline. If you’re traveling for business or a wedding, for example, this shirt is a great choice: It’s just as suave as a regular dress shirt, but it won’t wrinkle as easily and can be machine washed. Plus, you get the bespoke quality of Turnbull & Asser, which supplies the British royal family with their dress shirts.
5. Norse Projects x Geoff MacFetridge Anton Oxford Shirt
Courtesy Nordstrom
Leaning towards the casual side of Oxford shirts, this pick from Norse Projects makes a great choice for weekend usage, casual offices or nights out. It’s a collaborative piece with artist Geoff MacFetridge, who lends a creative logo embroidered on the chest pocket. As expected from Norse Projects, you also get a premium Oxford fabric and top-tier craftsmanship. The shirt comes in three colors — white, rose quartz and dark khaki — but we especially like the uniqueness of the latter two.
6. Eton Soft Casual Line Slim Fit Oxford Shirt
Courtesy Nordstrom
Eton is a Swedish brand best known for premium dress shirts. Its no-frills classics, such as this Oxford shirt, are a great way to spruce up your basics wardrobe. The shirt is trim-fit for a flattering look when worn solo, and it uses a finely textured Oxford fabric that could easily be mistaken for a fancier dress shirt. Thanks to a somewhat short length, you can also wear this shirt tucked or untucked without too much excess fabric. It can be worn casually, although we recommend saving it for business-casual attire (think, tucked with crisp chinos, clean sneakers and a cashmere sweater).
7. Gucci Logo-Embroidered Cotton Oxford Shirt
Courtesy Mr Porter
If you’ve already got a staple Oxford (or two) and want something with more pizazz, grab this Oxford from Gucci. It’s not quite as loud as some of the Italian designer’s other offerings, but bold dragon and logo embroideries on the collar provide some signature Gucci character. When worn with a playful suit, this embroidery work looks fantastic peeking out of your lapels. The shirt also looks great as a standalone piece, say, open over a tee with designer jeans and loafers.
