Summer is right around the corner, and that means it’s time give the people what they want: some forearm. And even though the urge to amass an impractical number of T-shirts remains undefeated, we’re not here to talk about that right now. We’re here to talk about the other short-sleeve shirt. The ones with collars. And plackets. And, often, buttons.
The energy of the season is as follows: Relaxed fits are still in, and so are camp shirts. Knit shirts will be everywhere, and you’ll also see more linen than you might be comfortable with. Also: Many stylish folks will be reaching for a button-up before they do a button-down. To that end, we put together some of the season’s best short-sleeve shirts for a few different standout styles and price points. In other words, if you’re in the market, we’ve got you covered.
The Best Short-Sleeve Shorts by Style
Camp Collar Shirts
Camp collar shirts have been the reigning short-sleeve MVP for the past few seasons, and there are no signs the style will fall out of favor any time soon. We’re not complaining: They’re about as comfortable as a shirt can be and play nice with an impossible number of pants and short styles. They’re also amenable to all manner of wild patterns, details and silhouettes. That’s all to say camp collars are as good as they’ve ever have been.
For more campy goodness, check out our selects for the best camp shirts.
Knit Shirts
The knit shirt takeover is in full swing, and if you haven’t gotten in on the action yet, now’s the time to do so. These soft, airy shirts—knit from cotton, linen, or a blend of both—give off a vintage, throwback energy, and are decidedly more dressy than the standard button-down. You can opt for a tightly knit polo shirt, or go full on see-through crochet style, which would be quite handsome worn over a white tee and matched with a pair of pleated pants.
Linen Shirts
Perhaps due to changing tastes towards more languid, relaxed silhouettes, it’s guaranteed you’ll see more linen this year. Of course, linen shirts are undeniably practical in the summer months (see: wedding and vacation season), and labels are doling out many a flowy, breezy option to consider. If you’re worried about creasing, look for a cotton-linen blend. But trust, the true glory of linen is to allow yourself to embrace the wrinkle.
If you’re looking to rock linen from head-to-toe, check out our guide to the best linen suits.
Button-Ups
While the classic Oxford button-down should be in your arsenal, when the heat becomes unbearable, the general mood calls for a go-to button-up. Less preppy, more casual, but equally versatile. At their best, they can complement anything you’re wearing, and add a little gloss to an otherwise simple fit. You can wear go for something tailored or relaxed and get great results. Better yet, you can run one wide open over a tank or a tee, or button it up for two completely different looks.
Work Shirts
Luckily, you don’t need to know the difference between a drill bit and a drive bit to appreciate the humble work shirt. These days, you can find work shirts in summer-friendly fabrics, but with the same workwear-inspired details you know and love: hardwearing buttons, pockets on pockets, and roomy, relaxed silhouettes. These tough-as-nails overachievers are worthy additions to your rotation.
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