The 10 Best Linen Shirts for Summoning Big Vacation Energy

Sometimes, the best linen shirt is the most obvious one. In this case: a classic, casual style from the good folks over at BR. This is the linen shirt you bring on vacation with you, ’cause it’s just as good unbuttoned over a tank top at the beachside bar as it is buttoned-up with khakis and dress shoes for dinner. It’s easy to style, soft to the touch, and looks good on anyone.

Todd Snyder makes one of my favorite linen shirts ever. Why? ‘Cause the brand’s Irish linen is so damn good. This pre-washed shirt has the softness of one you’ve owned and loved for years. It’s ruggedly handsome, and you can dress it up or down as you please. Plus, the handy chest pocket is always very appreciated; put a pocket square in there as Will does, or hang your favorite sunnies from it for a laidback, summery vibe.

A no-frills, no-fuss linen shirt that you don’t have to think twice about. At only 40 bucks, this style from Uniqlo is a steal; as you can see, it looks damn good, and I can assure you that it feels damn good, too. This pick looks great with pleated pants, jeans, shorts, whatever—it’s going to quickly become a favorite in your rotation, and a building block of your wardrobe.

Seldom in my life have I interacted with fabric as buttery-smooth and soft as Luca Faloni’s linen. This is luxury in a button-down; it’s breezy and lightweight, highly breathable, and incredibly chic, even if you’re just throwing it on atop a pair of swim trunks.

Quince comes in strong with an affordable linen shirt that you may as well stock up on—you’re going to be wearing this style a lot. It’s great for the office, for the beach, for the bar, for errands; wherever life takes you, let it take you there in soft, relaxed linen like this.

We love this Bonobos linen shirt so much, we wore it twice at the same time. You can certainly button this style up and wear it with dress pants and a blazer, but the soft, pre-loved feel lends itself nicely to casual styling, too. It’s bound to be the perfect fit, too, thanks to Bonobos’ plentiful options; get the tailored look without ever leaving your home to do it.

J.Crew has one of the most iconic and beloved linen shirts on the market. Its Baird McNutt Irish linen is impeccable in quality; durable, smooth, lightweight, soft as a cloud. This is a shirt you can add a monogram on, too, so you can stake a good claim on it with your initials; trust me when I say everyone is going to plot on how to steal this from your closet to wear for themselves.

A Polo Ralph Lauren button-down is a certifiable closet staple. A linen one—well, that’s just a no-brainer; it’s soft and breezy, perfect for summer, no less elevated than its Oxford shirt counterpart.

Abercrombie does a linen button-up as it does all other things: with undoubted coolness. This shirt has a relaxed fit, so you won’t look as stiff and buttoned-up as you might feel in other button-downs; the silhouette is also perfect for long, lazy summer days. Don’t think twice about your fit; just throw this on and you’re golden.

Sometimes, you’ve gotta ditch the point collar and go for a band collar instead. The contemporary, minimalist look is sleek and stylish, and it certainly helps that Eton crafts this style from ridiculously nice, luxurious linen, too.