You can always count on Paul Mescal to be one of those “sad sexy men in tiny shorts” but his recent outfit has one underrated element that has made menswear history: an oxford shirt.
Are you, as a man regardless of being hot-blooded or not, a fan of wearing short shorts? And did you know that Paul Mescal has always been the blueprint if you needed a point of reference? At the Gucci Spring Summer 2025 menswear show, Mescal sported a pair of the House’s cotton shorts (with a 4-inch seam no less) with a long-forgotten menswear staple: an Oxford shirt also known by menswear fanatics as the OCBD (oxford cloth button down). The kind of shirt that seems to formalise a casual outfit (can you imagine Mescal wearing anything else with those shorts) as it does with making a stuffy silhouette more louche and easy.
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Despite its seemingly old-money moniker, the history of the Oxford shirt is practical. Taking its name from the cloth it’s made of — soft cotton threads with a basket-weaved pattern — it was first worn by British polo players for its breathability and durability. But history has it that the Oxford shirt became popular with the public when Brooks Brothers brought this concept to America where it became an alternative dress shirt for business professionals who wanted a less stuffy inner for their suits.
While it has never gone out of style considering how brands are still offering their versions (though you can say that t-shirts or hoodies from them seem to be the more popular option), the outfit Paul Mescal wore to the Gucci show signals that it’s time to pick one up again as a base layer for your outfits. Wear it just like him to give visual proportion to whatever you’ve got going down there or in a low-key but still work-appropriate way. The rule of thumb though, is that they look much better when worn-in and a little wrinkled so don’t be afraid to let them get so.
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- Gucci Oxford shirt with double G embroidery
- H&M relaxed fit Oxford shirt
- M&S Collection easy iron pure cotton Oxford shirt
- MR P. button-down collar striped organic cotton Oxford shirt
- Michael Kors Men stretch cotton Oxford shirt
- Raleigh Workshop men's Oxford plaid flannel sport shirt
- Ralph Lauren Oxford shirt
- Zara boxy-fit Oxford shirt
Stripes on an Oxford shirt are always an easy way to incorporate it into a weekend wardrobe but if an occasion calls for formality, this one still retains a sleeve placket and a link button that fits well under suit sleeves.
ICYMI, Marks & Spencer can be your go-to for Oxford shirts that don’t break the bank or mess with your morning routine. Regarding the latter, they have an easy-iron finish which means you can immediately put them on without worrying about wrinkles.
You can always count on Mr Porter’s in-house range to deliver elevated essentials for everyday wear. Their version of the Oxford shirt is fashioned from lower impact material and comes with slightly raised stripes for texture.
Fitting close to the body and with a rolled hem, this shirt is also fashioned from responsibly sourced BCI cotton that quickly softens up the more you wash it. A summer staple if you will.
Cut with a relaxed fit, this hybrid shirt that combines the ease of a flannel with the formality of an Oxford can be worn tucked in to crunch numbers in the office or tucked out to hang loose on the weekend.
Ralph Lauren’s Oxford shirts have always been the gold standard due to their consistency in fit and material so you can trust that they’ll be a timeless purchase. A new addition, however, is that you can now customise the embroidery on the shirt’s pocket.
Despite being commonly associated with work situations, the Oxford shirt can sometimes be suited for play like this one with its shortened sleeves, roomy boxy fit, and embroidery on its pocket.
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This article first appeared on Lifestyle Asia Singapore
