The Perfect American-Made Oxford Shirt Still Exists

Blazers, jeans, and T-shirts might be some of the key pieces of the menswear orchestra, but the missing link that makes all those individual pieces hum is exceptional shirting. More specifically, the Oxford shirt. It wasn’t until adulthood that I realized just how important these shirts were. Suddenly, I was thrust into celebratory events or simply looking for something to tuck into a pair of jeans. The Oxford shirt fits the bill wherever you are and, mercifully, doesn’t make you look like you tried too hard.

My preferred version is pale blue, partly because it complements my complexion, but mostly because it’s easy to clean and versatile enough to work with just about everything in my closet. I’ve accumulated more than a dozen of them over the years, and one of my favorites is J. Press’s Flap Pocket Oxford. The Ivy League purveyor still makes its shirts in Massachusetts, using the same sturdy 100 percent Oxford cotton cloth from a factory the company has worked with for nearly a century.

I chose the Flap Pocket Oxford’s regular fit, which strikes a balance: not too boxy, not too slim, and still looks great tucked in. I’ve washed mine a handful of times and hung it to dry, and it still feels remarkably close to the way it did when I first wore it. Leave it wrinkled for a super-casual look, or press it and throw on a blazer sans necktie to show off the “S” curve of the unlined button-down collar. Below, I’ve styled what I consider a closet must-have three different ways, proving why the Oxford shirt deserves a permanent spot on the Mount Rushmore of menswear essentials.

Outfit 1: The Unlikely WFH Hero

This is a fit is the kind of thing you reach for reflexively. I’d likely wear to meet someone for coffee or, more importantly, when I’m creatively in a rut. An Oxford cloth shirt tucked into a pair of straight-leg jeans somehow gets the juices flowing and transports me into a getting-things-done state of mind. These dainty little slipper loafers from Sabah have also been glued to my feet. They look great with these jeans or a pair of chinos, and I’ve even worn them with a relaxed tailoring look to dinner.

Outfit 2: A Failsafe Casual Combo

A denim jacket and khaki-colored pants are never out of reach for me, especially this time of year. As formal as an Oxford shirt can sometimes feel depending on how you style it, you can make it feel more casual. Leave a few buttons undone, throw on a denim jacket, and pair it with Gramicci’s namesake pants and a pair of my trusty 990v4s. The result is more city stroll than literature class at 8 a.m., which is exactly the vibe I’m after.

Outfit 3: The All-Purpose Kit

This is a utility fit for fall. It can adapt to just about any environment, whether that’s a walk to the farmer’s market, an impromptu dinner with the Mrs., or a solo matinee movie trip. A black twill blazer that wears more like a chore coat is easy to throw over this Oxford shirt—or, when the temperature really starts dropping, a gray cashmere sweater. The charcoal jeans contrast nicely with the all-black blazer, while the pop of green adds a little extra panache to the whole kit. It’s practical, but still has enough personality to keep things interesting.