The Best Men’s Oxford Shirts for Sophisticated Style

Oxford shirts are the plain-white tee of the button-up world. Seemingly every menswear brand worth their weight makes one. The shirts are made with a simple woven fabric that goes well either in the office, or out on the weekend with a more casual outfit. And for the most part, they don’t vary all too much. When it comes to both cut and fabric used, Oxford shirts tend to be pretty straightforward. So how, in a market where so many of the picks look similar, can you pick out the best?

The criteria we used in our roundup here were pretty simple. First, we searched out well-made Oxford shirts – no cheap fabrics and bad stitching. Second, we paired down our picks to those from brands we trust (and a few we think you may not have come across yet). So take a look through our guide to the best Oxford shirts for men and try and tell us it isn’t helpful in trying to track down a new pair for yourself.

what is an Oxford shirt?

Oxford shirts are characterized by the cloth that’s used in the construction, Oxford cloth, a type of woven fabric with a distinct basketweave pattern. It’s traditionally made with 100% cotton and often includes a slightly heavier thread that gives the fabric a textured appearance, and makes it more durable compared to standard dress shirt fabric. In order to be a true Oxford shirt, it must be made with Oxford cloth and feature a button-down collar.

What makes Oxford shirts classic?

Dating back to the 19th century and originally developed in Scotland, Oxford shirts have a rich history in the fashion world, and first became popular when it was introduced as the fabric used in shirts at Oxford University during the late 19th/early 20th century (hence the name and preppy association). In the States, the shirt became famous after Brooks Brothers started making their own version, and they’re a big reason for the shirt’s success here. The versatile style, durability, and history of this shirt ultimately led to the widespread success it still has today, and it’s a wardrobe staple that every man should consider adding to their collection.

What to look for

Material: You’re looking for high-quality yarn, and, ideally, a mostly cotton blend (as the classic Oxford shirts are 100% cotton). Modern options may include other materials in the blend, but as long as the majority of the construction is Oxford cloth (and it has a button-down collar), you’re good to go.

Fit: Like other button-down shirts, you want a tailored fit that’s not too slim and not too loose, with sleeves that end just at the wrist, and it should be long to be tucked in without coming loose. You may want to consider getting your shirt tailored even if it’s a solid fit out of the box (especially if you plan on wearing it professionally), because having clothes designed for your frame will always look better.

Collar: Oxford shirts should have button-down collars that can be fastened to keep the collar points in place. If they don’t, then many may not consider it to be a true Oxford shirt.

Weave: Another key characteristic of an Oxford shirt is the basket weave pattern that the Oxford cloth is woven in, giving you a thicker and more textured look.

L.L.Bean Men’s Comfort Stretch Oxford Shirt

Best Starter Shirt: L.L.Bean has an equally preppy history as the Oxford shirt, making it an ideal brand to start with if you’re interested in getting your first one. The fabric blend includes a bit of polyester and spandex to add stretch and breathability, with a traditional fit that’s relaxed through the chest, sleeve, and waist. Although this isn’t the most traditional option, it’s super breathable, comfortable, and reasonably priced, so you really can’t go wrong.

Everlane The Organic Oxford Shirt

Best Sustainable Shirt: When it comes to sustainable clothing staples, Everlane is truly ahead of the game. The label’s Organ Oxford Shirt is another environmentally friendly entry in its lineup, made with 100% organic cotton and featuring a standard fit that’s a little relaxed for comfort. You can comfortably wear it tucked or untucked, and it’s backed by the label’s Uniform 365-day Guarantee, meaning you’ll get a replacement if your shirt gets damaged.

J.Crew Broken-In Organic Cotton Oxford Shirt

Best Organic Shirt: What better brand to get an Oxford shirt from than the kings of prep, J.Crew? This button-down collar shirt is made from 100% organic cotton that’s been washed to give you a softer feel and a lived-in look. The style pays homage to the Ivy League heritage of the shirt and features all of the hallmarks.

Taylor Stitch The Jack

Best Daily Driver: Taylor Stitch knows shirts. In fact, when the Bay Area brand started out in the mid-aughts their main mission was to make a better button-up than anyone else. It’s maybe not surprising then that the label’s Jack shirt is really one of the best out there. Made with 6 ounces of organic cotton, the shirt boasts both a soft feel and a tough enough build to be used week after week, and year after year.

Buck Mason Perfect Oxford One Pocket Shirt

Best Vintage-Inspired Shirt: This Oxford shirt from the vintage menswear experts at Buck Mason is built to go just as well with a pair of sneakers or some well-polished dress shoes. Made with 4 ounces of brushed cotton Oxford cloth, the shirt has been cut for a slim fit that is closer to the body in all the right places. Looks great either ironed or hang-dryed.

Gitman Vintage Oxford

Best Seasonal Shirt: It stands to reason that Gitman knows a thing or two about Oxford shirts. After all, they’ve been making them since 1978. What you get when you pick up one of these shirts is a button-down that has every detail poured over, with a rotating selection of fabrics each season they drop. From the unlined collar and cuffs to the spacing of the buttons and the quality of the soft fabric – this piece leaves very little to be desired.

Billy Reid Arnie Oxford Shirt

Best Golf-Inspired Shirt: The modern southern label Bill Reid is no stranger to iconic menswear, and the brand offers a selection of high-quality pieces that always honor the past while looking ahead to the future. Just like they’ve done with this golf-inspired Oxford shirt that’s made with 100% cotton and features a chest pocket on the right, perfect for storing scorecards and tees. It’s all tied together with mother-of-pearl buttons and a standard fit with a bit of room.

Todd Snyder Japanese Selvedge Oxford

Best Japanese Selvedge Shirt: Todd Snyder is known for sourcing high-quality fabrics around the world to craft one-of-a-kind garments. Just like the Japanese Selvedge Oxford button-down shirt, which is woven with Japanese selvedge Oxford cloth. This shirt is made on a vintage loom and will age beautifully thanks to the thoughtful construction.

Drake’s Oxford Cotton Cloth Button-Down Shirt

Best Premium Shirt: Founded by Michael Drake, Drake’s has been honing “relaxed elegance” since 1977, and the label’s Oxford shirts are a perfect example of this design philosophy. Crafted in the label’s own factory in England, this shirt is made with 100% cotton and features a standard fit. It’s rounded out with mother-of-pearl buttons and a rolling collar.

The Best Chinos to Complete Your Outfit

You’ll need some equally classic and versatile pants to match your new shirt. Luckily, our best chinos guide has you covered.