How to Style an Oxford Shirt: Fashion for Short Men
The Oxford shirt is a classic staple in every man’s wardrobe today, but it wasn’t introduced until the 19th century, when it was one of four shirt fabrics named after universities. Yale, Cambridge, and Harvard also had signature fabrics, but none of them took off quite like the Oxford.
This versatile button-down shirt is a must-have in every short man’s closet, but what do you need to know to get the most out of this piece of clothing? Here are a few tips to keep in mind.
How an Oxford Shirt Should Fit Men
There are a few universal things to keep in mind when getting the perfect fit on oxford shirts for short men:
1. The Oxford shirt should follow the lines of your body. It shouldn’t be too loose or too tight, and should essentially fit the shape of your body. The seam should meet the corner of your shoulder bone — if it falls below that point, it’s too big, and if it falls before that point, it’s too small.
2. The Oxford shirt sleeve should finish where your wrist meets your hand. You want to find a shirt that isn’t too long and fits your body correctly.
3. The Oxford shirt collar should rest against the back of your neck, and while you might not button it up every time, you want to make sure it can close comfortably without feeling like it is choking you, or with a huge gap between the shirt and your skin. That’s how you know you got the perfect shirt fit.
4. Finally, the Oxford shirt placket — the piece of fabric that holds the buttons down when they are fastened — should sit in a straight line down you body. There should be no gaps or straining— if there is, the shirt doesn’t fit you right.
Men’s Fashion: How to Style an Oxford Shirt
Oxford shirts can be worn by men to a variety of occasions — it all depends on how you wear it, and what you pair it with. Here are a few different ways to wear it.
Wearing an Oxford Shirt at Formal Events
Weddings, black-tie affairs, and other events where you want to look your absolute best call for an Oxford shirt. The classic look is a white shirt buttoned all the way, with a black suit — a timeless combination that will never feel dated or out of place. For those who want to inject a bit of color while remaining formal, choose an Oxford shirt color that complements the suit and tie, and add cuff-links, a dress watch, and dress shoes.
Styling an Oxford Shirt for Semi-formal Events
Slightly more casual, this can also be the hardest to master, since it comes with some subjectivity. In general, if you wear a classic Oxford shirt buttoned to the neck with a suit, you can go without a tie, or you can pair it with a blazer or vest. You can also experiment more with color here than you would in a more formal presentation.
Business Casual Oxford Shirts
This type of occasion can also be very subjective, but it also allows you to inject more personality into an outfit, getting away from the more formal suit look. You can introduce Oxford shirts with patterns here, undo a button or two at the top, and choose options such as blazers or vests in patterns or contrasting colors to create a signature style all your own.
Styling an Oxford Shirt for Casual Events
Finally, the Oxford shirt is just as at home in more relaxed settings. You can forgo the jacket or blazer altogether here if you want, and pair it with anything from chinos to jeans, or even shorts. Feel free to unbutton the top few around the neck for a casual look that looks and feels effortless.
The Ash & Erie Collection of Oxford Shirts for Short Men
Ash & Erie knows that finding dress shirts for short men can be a challenge. That’s why this collection was put together with you in mind, so you don’t need to worry about whether or not it will fit — you can just grab and go, and always look your best. Here are just a few options to consider as you build your Oxford shirt collection.
The Blue Oxford Shirt is a classic for a reason. There are very few occasions this shirt won’t blend masterfully into. It is made with a 100% pre-shrunk cotton fabric for the softest shirt you will own, and is designed to be worn untucked.
For those looking for a little more adventure in their Oxford shirt choices, the Faded Brick Oxford Wrinkle Free Shirt is an excellent choice. It has a 72% cotton, 28% polyester fabric that is designed to be wrinkle-free so you’ll look great all day long.
The Faded Fern Oxford Wrinkle Free Shirt is a soft color that is subtle enough to be worn as a neutral, but brings a little more to the table than a basic white or grey. The wrinkle-free finish means it will look good all day long, as well.
Finally, you can’t go wrong with the White Oxford Shirt. This is the single most versatile piece you will have in your wardrobe, easily transitioning from formal to casual without missing a beat, and always looking great while doing it.
The men’s Oxford shirt is a timeless piece of clothing that every man should have in their closet. No matter what the occasion calls for, this is a piece you can rely on to grab and go, without needing to worry if it is an appropriate choice for the event in question. If you only have one or two perfectly fitted shirts for your body in your wardrobe, the Oxford shirt should be one of them.