If you could only keep one button down shirt in your closet, which one would it be?
Ever since I began working in a New York office 13 years ago, the button down shirt was a staple in my collection. Working at J.Crew HQ for 6 years, I had at least 40 button downs in my rotation at one point. As the years have gone by, I’ve become a bit more particular and cut it down to 5 short sleeved button downs for the spring and summer, and a blend of stripes and thicker flannels for the colder months. Through the years, there has been one other shirt that is the most crucial piece in my collection: the blue oxford shirt.
The Blue Oxford Shirt is the Most Classic Men’s Shirt of All Time
A timeless classic, the blue oxford shirt has been the go-to shirt for pretty much every man for decades now. It looks good, it doesn’t change, and it’s versatile. I’d argue that if things keep going the way they are, we’re really only going to need one button down shirt. The rest you can give away or sell or pack up in a box for whenever we go back to “normal” - if that ever happens.
I’ve worn my share of different brands of blue oxford shirts, including of course J.Crew, Uniqlo, and most recently Club Monaco. I love the little details on the Club Monaco version, though it has shrunk a decent amount after plenty of runs through the washer and dryer.
How to Wear the Blue Oxford Shirt
If you’re thinking about simplifying your wardrobe, or just don’t want to think about how to dress anymore, here are three ways to wear the most classic men’s shirt of all time.
1. Very Chill
When you need to run an errand, go to your kid’s friend’s birthday party, or just look slightly more like an adult. Just put it on and go - don’t worry about buttoning - your wife will applaud your thoughtfulness just for wearing anything with a collar for the first time in weeks. I pull off this look once in a while - definitely much less this year due to the pandemic and a lot fewer social gatherings these days.
2. Buttoned Up
This is my most consistent look. I’ve been buttoning up the blue oxford shirt and rolling into the office in some jeans or chinos for years. In the mid-’00s, I was a little more bold and wore a white V-neck underneath with the top TWO buttons undone.
Then I worked in an office where the dress code was slightly stricter, so I tucked my shirt in and just left the top button undone. In the winter, I added a nice wool or cashmere sweater on top.
In the early to mid ’10s, I dabbled with buttoning all the way up for the “air tie” look. I liked the way this looked, but it was a bit stuffy and uncomfortable. Today, I’m back to leaving the top button undone and the shirt untucked.
3. Suited
This is the great thing about the blue oxford shirt. Just marvel at how versatile a shirt this is! You can go from a backyard barbeque to a formal wedding all while not having to change your shirt. It also works if you have a virtual interview and need to look professional.
I’ve been wearing blue oxfords with suits pretty much my entire life for several reasons. Aside from the fact that an oxford works great with a suit, I don’t enjoy wearing dress shirts because every time you wear one, you have to get it dry cleaned. For some reason I just despise that process of dropping the shirt off, paying $1.25, and picking it up. The blue oxford is typically machine washable and sometimes wrinkle-free, so I save that trip to the dry cleaner and $1.25.
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