One of the most iconic things about oxford shirts is the button down collar. These collars originated with polo players who were annoyed that their shirt collars kept flying up into their face – so they added buttons to keep the collar in place!
At the time, polo players were required to wear traditional collared shirts, but riding around on giant stallions during games would cause these collars to flap up, creating a visual distraction. To remedy this, players had buttons sewn onto their collars, fastening them down for matches.
Style and details: In their most traditional form, oxford shirts have buttons at the collar points, a reinforced chest pocket, pleated sleeves, and back details like a box pleat to allow for comfortable movement and a locker loop that was conceived so that college students could hang their shirts in, you know, lockers.
Known at first as “polo collar shirts” the button down shirt started off being worn as a standard dress shirt around the turn of the century.
An Oxford Shirt is usually considered a type of dress shirt, but the Oxford shirt is different from a regular dress shirt in two ways: They usually have a button down-style collar which eliminates that problem of collars flopping around and/or laying flat and disappearing underneath a jacket’s collar.
That kind of aesthetic can work if you’re wearing shorts or headed to the beach, but, for the most part, you’re better off keeping the collar buttoned and the roll firmly in place. And if you decide to wear the shirt with a tie, you should never even consider leaving the collar buttons unbuttoned.
It primarily comes down to a matter of formality, a button-down collar is inherently more informal and when paired with a suit and tie it offers a clashing level of formality. A standard collar dress shirt will look sharp and professional and it’s the best way to complement that suit and tie of yours.
“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.
How do you tell if a shirt is an Oxford shirt?
It’s heavier and has a rougher weave (also sometimes known as a basket weave) than other types of shirts, which means it’s sometimes more durable. Oxford cloth tends to hold its shape well and is often stiffer than other types of fabric too.
What is an Eton collar style?
Eton collar in British English
noun. a broad stiff white collar worn outside an Eton jacket.
What’s an Eton collar?
Definition of Eton collar
: a large stiff turnover collar.
Band Collar
Also called a “Mandarin collar,” this is a very skinny collar band that doesn’t fold down, so it’s designed to be worn without neckwear. Even though you’re not wearing a tie, you’re still achieving a dressy look with the band collar if the shirt is crisper and more formal.
What is the difference between an Oxford shirt and a poplin shirt?
“A Poplin is the ideal option for smart business attire”
The yarns tend to be finer and the weave is tighter than the Oxford. The resulting fabric has a smoother texture and offers increased softness and a better ability to drape.
Can you wear an Oxford shirt with jeans?
White Weekend Oxford with Jeans
In fact, when in doubt throw this combination on and you’ll be in good shape. A solid white shirt looks good with any skin tone. Paired with classic blue jeans in a slim straight cut, such as our Johnny Stretch Jeans in Slim, this outfit is a very unfussy look for any man.
Can you wear an Oxford shirt to a wedding?
Can you wear an Oxford shirt to a wedding? Yes, you can. It is surprising how flexible Oxford shirts are, despite being considered formal shirts. In informal settings, they can be worn with jeans, chinos and sneakers to dress down the look for business meetings and formal events, such as weddings.
It is the most American of collars, and its intent —which is also the great virtue of American clothing generally — is to relax the appearance, to bring a touch of dishabille to the formality of business garb.
The button-down collar is a variant on the point-collar dress shirt and is stylistically appealing for those who want to dress down but. But, in today’s casual world, a button-down with a tie and a sport coat is still quite well dressed.
It has two buttons under the collar points that keep your collar from flying out to the sides or falling under your suit jacket. Simply put, it’s a no-hassle collar.
What is the most formal collar style?
wingtip collar
The most formal collar option, the wingtip collar is made primarily to be worn with a bowtie and tuxedo. It got its name from the fold-out collar points, which look like wings. The tab collar is a lesser seen option that features a small button between the collar points.
What are the 3 types of collars?
There are several types of collars. The three basic types are flat, standing, and rolled.
Button Down Collar Without a Tie
Most often, classic button down collars are worn without ties. Having the collar buttons still fastened will keep the collar standing up, helping the shirt still look crisp, yet casual. For a more business causal look, pair your shirt with a jacket.