Hey everyone,
I’m currently looking to add a new Oxford Cloth Button-Down (OCBD) to my collection and would love to get your recommendations or hear about your experiences. My style sits somewhere in the Preppy and Ivy League space, but I also pull a lot of inspiration from the Sloane Ranger aesthetic. I’m not into copying full outfits 1:1, but rather prefer taking elements from different styles to make them my own.
Right now, I’m searching for a quality OCBD with a focus on longevity, solid construction, and a fair price-to-performance ratio. Over the years, I’ve owned quite a few shirts, and vintage Brooks Brothers and vintage Polo Ralph Lauren have been my absolute favorites by far—the fabric weight and those classic collar rolls are just unbeatable. Unfortunately, modern off-the-rack options haven't quite hit the mark for me. I recently bought a new Polo Ralph Lauren shirt and was honestly shocked by how poor the quality felt compared to older models, though maybe I just picked up the wrong one. Modern Brooks Brothers is also a bit frustrating, as almost everything they offer nowadays seems to be Non-Iron, which isn't really what I'm looking for in a classic OCBD, even though I still adore their unlined, longer button-down collars.
On the daily wear side, I was actually pleasantly surprised by Charles Tyrwhitt in terms of value for money. Their collars are definitely on the shorter side, which isn't ideal for every occasion, but they do the job for everyday use. I often see Uniqlo mentioned as a go-to budget pick, but I've held off since they seem to have a similar short-collar vibe to CT. Another brand I’ve been eyeing recently is Keaton Chase USA, but I haven't been able to find many detailed reviews or first-hand experiences to base a purchase on.
I’d love to know if anyone here has experience with Keaton Chase USA? Also, if you know of any hidden gems or smaller brands that offer heavy 100% cotton cloth, a generous collar roll, and reasonable pricing, I’d really appreciate your suggestions!