Many associate the Oxford Button Down Shirt with Brooks Brothers, USA. However, the use of button down shirts is believed to have originated in India, and then used for sports shirts in the United Kingdom, prior to Brooks Brothers “discovering” them on a visit to England, and taking the idea to America. And Oxford cloth originated in Scotland.

Button down shirts are believed to have originated from polo shirts, introduced to Great Britain by British soldiers, who had observed that Indian Princes in the 1850s had their collars fastened to their shirts with buttons, to avoid distraction from the collar points flapping during matches. Within a few years, button down shirts also became popular for football shirts and cricket shirts within Great Britain.

Oxford cloth is a sturdy yet comfortable cotton fabric that originated in Scotland during the 1800s. It was developed as part of a group of shirting fabrics that carried the names of prestigious universities, including Yale, Cambridge, Harvard, and Oxford. Among these, the Oxford weave became the most enduring.

What sets Oxford cloth apart is its distinctive basket-weave construction. Rather than a simple over-under pattern, it uses a slightly more textured weave created by pairing yarns together. This gives the fabric a subtle depth, soft hand feel, and enhanced durability while still allowing air to circulate, making it suitable for everyday wear. The material gained popularity beyond Scotland when British polo players began wearing shirts made from it. Its balance of structure and breathability made it practical for sport. To prevent collars from flapping during matches, players fastened the collar points to the shirt with small buttons — a practical innovation that eventually became the now-classic button-down collar.

Over time, Oxford cloth moved from sportswear into mainstream fashion. Today, Oxford shirts are considered a cornerstone of men’s wardrobes, valued for their versatility. They can be worn casually with denim or chinos, or styled in a more polished way under tailoring, making them a reliable choice for both relaxed and smart-casual settings.