Difference Between Oxford Shirt and Dress Shirt

Key Difference – Oxford Shirt vs Dress Shirt
 

Oxford shirts and dress shirt are two shirt types that confuse a lot of people. A dress shirt is a collared shirt with long sleeves that can be worn beneath a blazer or suit jacket. An Oxford shirt is a type of dress shirt, but there is a difference between Oxford shirt and dress shirt. The key difference between Oxford shirt and dress shirt is that Oxford shirts are made from Oxford cloth whereas dress shirts can be made from a variety of fabrics.

What is an Oxford Shirt?

An Oxford shirt is a type of a dress shirt, but there are several differences between an Oxford shirt and a normal dress shirt. Oxford shirts are made from a specific weave of the fabric called Oxford which is made from basket weave. This weave combines two yarns woven lengthwise against a heavier yarn crosswise or vice versa. Oxford shirts also have button down collars, which add a more casual look to this shirt.  Oxford shirts convey a sense of comfort and ease, at the same time creating a neat and sleek look. Oxford shirts can also be used to create different looks; pairing an Oxford shirt with dark blue jeans will create a casual look whereas wearing it with a suit jacket or blazer will give a formal look.

Oxford shirts were named after the Oxford University and were first made in the 19^th century by Scottish fabric mills. This was originally associated with polo and similar sports and was considered to be a sport shirt, but nowadays this is associated with preppy Ivy League style.

What is a Dress Shirt?

A dress shirt is a collared shirt with long sleeves, opening at the front and wrist cuffs, that can be worn with a blazer or suit. Dress shirts typically have stiff collars since they have to support the lapel of the suit jacket that falls above it or the necktie which goes beneath it.

Dress shirts are less formal than formal shirts and can be worn for business meetings, job interviews, church, evening functions, etc. They are usually worn tucked in; they can also be worn with or without a tie. Dress shirts usually come in conservative colors and patterns since they are used for semi-formal and professional occasions. Most common colors for dress shirts are white, light blue, light pink, and lavender. Three basic patterns can be seen in dress shirts – solid, stripes or checks. Dress shirts are usually made from cotton or various cotton blends.

Dress shirts typically have two collar styles: point collar and spread collar. The difference between them lies in the angle of the collar point; this collar angle is greater than 90 degrees in spread collars and less than 60 degrees in point collar.

What is the difference between Oxford Shirt and Dress Shirt?

Image Courtesy:

“Dress Shirt” Robert Sheie (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr

“Oxford cloth” By Chris Hoare – originally posted to Flickr as oxford (CC BY 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia