Oxford (cloth)

Oxford cloth is a type of woven fabric that is often employed to make dress shirts, sometimes called Oxford shirts, worn on casual to formal occasions. It emerged in the 18th century and expanded in popularity with the Industrial Revolution improving its manufactured quality.^[1] Due to its heavier weave, the less formal nature of Oxford cloth led to its adoption as a cornerstone of Ivy Style.

Structure

Oxford cloth has a basket-weave structure and a lustrous aspect^[2] making it a popular fabric for dress shirts.^[3] It is usually made of cotton or a cotton blend.^[1]

Varieties

Plain Oxford and Pinpoint Oxford are commonly used for casual shirt designs such as a button-down collar. Pinpoint Oxford is made from finer yarn and has a tighter weave than plain Oxford. It shows a "pin" or "dot" effect in the texture.^[4] Royal Oxford is considered a more formal option. It is suited to business or sporty dress codes.^[5]