Nestled within the small valley town of Nishiwaki, our Japanese partner mill hums to the sound of its 80-year-old shuttle looms. With each whoosh of their wooden shuttles, a single strand of white weft yarn positions itself amongst the warp yarns. The process is slow, and creates just four yards of fabric each hour, but the results are unparalleled. After more than 230 years of textile tradition in Nishiwaki, our new Japanese Oxford cloth has arrived at the Gitman factory.

Similar to our classic Cambridge Oxford, this fabric features a balanced, mid-weight 40’s 2-ply basket weave with contrasting warp and weft yarns. It’s supple, durable, and becomes softer with wear. But what makes it different? It all comes down to how this fabric was made.

For starters, extra-long staple cotton fibers were used, increasing softness from the first wear and adding durability through increased internal friction. Those fibers were spun on a 1940's spinning machine and dip-dyed into their final colors. Upon weaving, its heritage quality comes through with an increased texture, giving the fabric a much more organic appearance overall. The hand-operated shuttle loom only adds to this effect, and gives this fabric a more artisanal hand than any other Oxford we offer.

Although these differences may seem small, they tell a story about the craft and care that went into making this fabric. Generations of Nishiwaki’s textile heritage are felt within it. This shirt is meant for folks who appreciate craftwork and tradition. Those looking for mass appeal can look elsewhere.

Formal or casual, tucked or untucked, our easy-wearing shirts are an obvious choice for all occasions.