Alex Mill Made A Better Version Of Its Already Great Shirt

What makes a great button down shirt? Fit is certainly a big part of it, as are details like the collar, not to mention how the whole thing is stitched together. But even if you’ve nailed those, one thing that’s undoubtedly at the core of all great shirts is quality fabric. After all, without it, there wouldn’t be a shirt at all. But to Alex Drexler, figuring out the components of this secret “great shirt” formula became so important to him that, in 2012, he decided to launch an entire business around it. He called the brand, semi-eponymously, “Alex Mill.” The first product he released under the imprint was shirt was simply dubbed “The Mill Shirt.”

In the 14 years since, Alex Mill has grown immensely as a collection and a business. But even though you can now buy everything from sweaters to chinos to suits to jeans at Alex Mill, the humble button down shirt is still a crucial part of the business, and something Drexler and the team are constantly tweaking in pursuit of perfection.

As such, every season, the brand deploys a host of new Mill Shirts in various fabrics—chambray, Oxford cloth, poplin, linen—you name it, and chances are the company has made its signature button-down out of it. But for Fall-Winter 2026, they decided to kick things up a notch by teaming up with the historic mill Thomas Mason on a brand new, slightly more premium version. Founded in 1796, Thomas Mason has long been household name among internet-savvy menswear heads who want shirts crafted from the so-called Good Stuff™. In the case these new Mill Shirts, that happens to be some absolutely beautiful, striped cotton fabrics.

“What I love about a shirt is that the thread comes from one place, the fabric comes from another, the buttons come from another, and the labels come from another supplier,” says Drexler. “It’s all about getting all the right components to come together nicely and create something that’s really special, and I hope the customer appreciates that.” Like a great dish at a restaurant, the ingredients are key, but figuring out how they come together harmoniously is what ultimately makes something delicious.

I received my version of the Thomas Mason Mill Shirt in blue last week, and despite the fact that, genuinely, the last thing I need in my closet is another blue button-up, I honestly think this one is different enough to justify a slot in my rotation. While I’m extremely set on OCBDs, here, the fabric is a more dressy-feeling poplin that, in the interest of balance, happens to be rendered a casual-leaning button down form. I also think you really can feel the quality in just how smooth the fabric feels in hand, and, more importantly, on body. It’s light, airy, and has a cool touch that’s welcomed on sticky summer days. The color is also unexpectedly unique—boasting a rich, deep tone with a slight luster that actually appears borderline purple in certain light. (Note: if you want a true purple, the shirt is available in that configuration too.)

In general I’ve always found color to be one of Alex Mill’s strong suits as a brand, whether it’s a royal blue T-shirt or a pair of green socks. “Color is very emotional,” says Drexler of why the brand is so dedicated to issuing products in punchy colors. Now, the blue on this Thomas Mason Mill shirt doesn’t exactly make me weepy, but I do agree with Drexler in the sense that colors can have strong connections to places, feelings, or memories. I also feel strongly that when it comes to this specific striped blue shirt, it really is a really nice blue.

At the end of the day, I think this Mill Shirt’s appeal is in its simplicity, which is exactly what Drexler first intended back in 2012. It’s a wardobe staple that won’t knock your kelly green socks off, but you also don’t have to think too hard about it to appreciate it or, you know, wear it. Fit wise, it’s not too slim or too baggy. The collar is not too large or too small. It’s got the always welcomed, upscale detail of side gussets. And in this particular case, the fabric has the stamp of approval of one of the best mills in the world. Did I mention they’re also machine washable?

I’ll spare you the “dress it up, dress it down” schtick, but ultimately, if you want a great shirt made from great fabric that you’ll probably wear a heck of a lot, then this Mill Shirt might be just the thing you’re looking for.