Whether you’re off to the races or for a drink with the lads, an Oxford shirt is an excellent option for any occasion. The versatile, timeless, and tasteful design works with a myriad of ensembles and is so stylish that you’ll want to wear one everywhere you go. From formal events to a casual get together, here’s how you can easily style this classic button-down shirt.
History of the Oxford Shirt
The Oxford shirt goes back into the 19th century, ironically, not in Oxford, but in Scotland. Taken from the Polo style, known for its breathable qualities and lightweight wear, the collars were pinned down with buttons to stop them from flying around in the open. The name was taken from the university and soon made its way to America, where the Ivy League students embraced it.
When to Wear an Oxford Shirt
Formal Attire
For weddings and black-tie events, the dress code normally requires you to wear a white Oxford shirt and black suit. For other occasions, a blue, pink, grey, or black shirt is a great way to inject fun into an outfit without overdoing it. If you’re feeling extra fancy, mix it up with an ensemble in grey, green, navy, and brown. Add some cufflinks, a dress watch, and dress shoes to complete the look.
Semi-Formal Attire
The semi-formal dress code is slightly more casual than a black tie and can be tricky to master. You can ditch the tie by sticking to the classic Oxford shirt. If you opt for a full suit, mix it up by wearing Oxford shirt colors in grey, blue, black, pink, and white. You can also experiment with separate combinations, such as chinos and a blazer. Add dress shoes, sunglasses, and cool accessories to complete the look.
Business Casual Attire
Semi-formal and business casual dress codes are not strictly defined; they are about having fun and injecting personal style. Continuing the tailored approach, roll up your sleeves or undo a few buttons and let your neck breathe. Opt for Oxford shirt colors in grey, white, black, pink, or blue for a relaxed and sophisticated look.
Smart Casual Attire
From a sunny day on the boat to coffee catchups with friends, the smart casual dress code is a great one to master. Taking a leaf from formal ensembles, you can add a deconstructed twist to your outfits by wearing an open Oxford shirt with linen pants. It’s best to tuck your shirt in for a smart look but feel free to wear shorts and a blazer for a fresh and relaxed summer vibe.
Casual Attire
Oxford shirts are very versatile and can be worn for casual attire. Opt for a chunky or labeled sweater with cool accessories for the colder months. Sometimes, the simplest outfits will make an impact, and you can’t go wrong with a pair of jeans and a fitted button-down. Roll up your sleeves and don an Oxford shirt with chinos and white sneakers for casual office days.
Oxford Shirt Colours
White Oxford Shirt
You can’t beat the classics; the white Oxford shirt is a prime example. From the office to a cocktail party, this is a stylish and effortless option for any outfit. Opt for this button-down with a three-piece suit, jeans, jumper, linen blazer, and chinos. This apparel’s versatility allows you to pair it with a myriad of colors and styles. Go from day to night by rolling up your sleeves, unbuttoning the top, and removing your tie.
Pink Oxford Shirt
Inject fun into an outfit with a pink Oxford shirt. From salmon to bright pink, this shade works well for many occasions. Compliment the pink tone in a blue or tan suit. If it is your first time wearing a pink shirt, opt for a lighter variation or pinstripes for some subtlety.
Blue Oxford Shirt
Another office staple in every gents’ wardrobe is the blue Oxford shirt. Versatile and easy to wear, this color works well for office environments and horse racing events. You can try out a full navy suit for a sophisticated overall look or lighten up a dark suit with a pale blue shirt.
Black Oxford Shirt
Put a spin on the classic Oxford shirt by making it jet black. This shirt color is dark as night and great for semi-formal and cocktail events. Pair the shirt with a beige suit, cool sunglasses, and dress shoes for a laid-back twist on a traditional ensemble.
Grey Oxford Shirt
In between light and dark, a grey Oxford shirt looks great when paired with browns, greens, and other neutral tones. For formal occasions, try a suit in a non-traditional hue, such as sand or jade – wearing black can look like you’ve messed up your washing.
Oxford Shirt Style Tips
- For formal events, opt for a white Oxford with cufflinks
- Tuck your shirt in for more formal events and untuck it for casual events
- Don’t be afraid to mix colors up – pink, blue, and black Oxford shirts can spice up an outfit.
- If you’re heading to a semi-formal event, roll up your sleeves.
Oxford Shirt Outfits
What is an Oxford shirt?
An Oxford shirt is a basket-weave dress shirt. The name is thought to come from Oxford cloth, which was the original fabric used to make the shirts. While some consider a button-down collar to be a classic feature of an Oxford shirt, it’s not essential.
How should an Oxford shirt fit?
An Oxford shirt should have a slim fit and a straight cut that skims your body without being too tight. You can also wear them slightly oversized layered on top of a T-shirt.
Do you tuck in an Oxford shirt?
For more casual dress codes, you can wear your Oxford shirt untucked or half-tucked – also known as the ‘French tuck’ – with rolled-up sleeves. For formal occasions, tuck it in.
Are Oxford shirts formal?
While considered a dress shirt, Oxford shirts are surprisingly versatile. You can wear them with a suit to business meetings and formal occasions such as weddings – and you can also dress them down for casual events with jeans or chinos and sneakers. Simply roll up the sleeves, unbutton the top two buttons, and untuck the shirt.
Alexandra Feiam is an experienced fashion writer who holds a degree in journalism. She has an impressive portfolio and expertise working as the Editor at Power Retail and Commercial Content Editor at Newscorp. Ally has been writing for The TrendSpotter since 2018, and her work has been featured in notable publications such as The Herald Sun, Arirang TV South Korea, Kidspot, The House of Wellness, and The Daily Telegraph.
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