What makes an oxford shirt

All online, completely free Sign In Sign Up. In a nutshell One of the most versatile items you can own: a shirt made from Oxford cloth, whose thick weave gives it a good structure. Backstory The Oxford has nothing to do with the town that bears its name. How to wear one well "Traditional Oxford shirts have button-down collars and chest pockets, but they now come in a range of styles, from smart to casual," says Thread lead stylist, Kasia Katner.

There are many different considerations when it comes to dress shirts, but the main way to distinguish them is by the cut of the collar.

The key components in dress shirts are the collar, the cuffs, and the yoke. Shirts with a button-down collar mostly Oxford shirts , a pocket, or a single button cuff are more for leisurewear. Shirts with a turned down and pointy collar, no pockets, and French cuffs are more formal.

Barrel cuffs are the standard cuff for most dress shirts. These come in a variety of styles and can be worn for nearly every occasion except the most formal ones. Most of these have a single button. Shirts that have 2 or 3 buttons are artier, and usually more formal. French cuffs are the ones that should be worn if you are at a formal occasion. These cuffs look excellent with a suit. A button in the sleeve will help them stay closed, but the button is optional with these cuffs.

Often, various types of cuff links that go with French cuffs are another way for men to accessorize and develop different fashion preferences. The collar is the most important indicator of how formal or casual the outfit is. Pro tip: Use collar stays to keep the form of the collar. Button-down collars are the most common on Oxford shirts.

They are informal and should be worn without ties most of the time. If you wear them with ties, they should be worn with a sweater or sport coat. The wing collar is for formal occasions only. They generally have a narrow width between collar points and vary greatly in length, so try a few on to find the right one for your face. Just keep in mind that narrow faces should wear shorter tips and rounded faces work well with long collar points.

In terms of formality, a good rule of thumb is that the larger the angle between the collar points, the more formal your shirt is. Spread collars leave wide openings between the collar tips, which leaves plenty of room for large and fancy tie knots. The most formal collar type outside of the wing for tuxedo shirts is the cutaway collar. The edges of this collar form a straight line just above the knot in your tie.

There are some situations, however, where one shirt is more appropriate than the other. Dress Shirts: Dress shirts are really fun because there are so many different types out there. Spread collar or a point collar? Cuff buttons or french cuffs? Cotton or silk? Whichever dress shirt you choose, you can be sure of one thing: a dress shirt is going to be your go-to for all of your formal occasions. You can put it under a suit or with your favorite blazer for a clean, dapper androgynous look, or wear it with a vest or nice sweater.

While you could also wear an oxford more formally, it will never look quite as clean as a dress shirt under a suit or blazer. Oxford Shirts: One of the reasons oxford shirts are incredibly popular is because they are super versatile.

Like dress shirts, they also happen to look really nice in formal settings although the collar and fabric make them look slightly more informal , but oxfords are also perfect for everyday attire, to wear to the office, or even to go out for drinks with friends.

In short - you can plan to get a whole lot of use out of this shirt! Here are some outfits we love! It looks fantastic with any outfit and can be worn on virtually any occasion. Adding various colors of Oxford shirts to your wardrobe is a great way to complement your outfits no matter what the occasion is.

What is an Oxford shirt? Table of Contents What is an Oxford shirt? The history of the Oxford shirt Why choose an Oxford shirt? How is an Oxford shirt made? What is the difference between an Oxford shirt and a dress shirt? There were four cloths created that were named after four esteemed universities- Yale Harvard Cambridge Oxford Out of these four, only the Oxford shirt is still in use today.

Why Choose An Oxford Shirt? Three of the best reasons to choose an Oxford shirt are Versatility As mentioned, the versatility of the Oxford shirt is a great reason to get one. Comfort The Oxford shirt is made from a fabric that allows for maximum comfort. Durable A great feature of the Oxford shirt is that it is hard-wearing. The key differences are - The Oxford shirt usually has a button-down collar.

This is great to prevent the collar from flapping around or getting stuck under a jacket. An Oxford shirt gets its name from the type of cloth it is made from, Oxford cloth. This particular fabric makes a great shirt that is versatile whilst helping make it unique. Professional When at work a white shirt is one of the best looks to go for.

Party Time After work, you may head out to relax. Smart Casual Many workplaces have a clothing policy of smart casual. Double Trouble You can wear two shirts at the same time. The Weekend Relaxing at the weekend is a must after a hard week of work. Keep these points in mind when buying an Oxford shirt - Material What material is the shirt made from? Colors You can choose from a wide range of colors.

Cut Versatility is the key benefit of the Oxford shirt. Collar The collar comes down to your personal preference. Use a tape measure to measure around the base of your neck where the collar would be.

Then, add half an inch to make sure the collar won't be too tight. Arm length. To measure your arm run the tape measure from the nape of your neck to the wrist. Add one inch and round up.