Our Top 9 Summer Shirts for Men Are All You Need to Pack for Any Vacation
The best summer shirts are lightweight, multipurpose, and packable for any adventure or vacation, even one around the globe. I would know—I just got back from a weeklong family trip to Cancún that doubled as a destination wedding.
I didn’t shell out for a checked bag, so I had to be extremely crafty with my carry-on. That means everything stuffed in my suitcase had to emerge from its cage minimally wrinkled to serve several purposes. For instance, a button-down shirt for a welcome party might double as an unbuttoned top for poolside sun protection the following afternoon. Or, my workout shirts had to look good enough that no one would realize I hit the gym just before brunch (everyone sweats on a humid 90-degree day, right?).
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As such, I had the perfect laboratory to test the best polos, linen shirts, and white T-shirts for summer traveling. My top pick, the Tommy Bahama Silk Camp Shirt, is comfortable, breathable, and dresses well for many occasions. But if it's not for you, there are plenty other options on this list that’ll make you feel relaxed and confident about your carry-on on your ride Uber to the airport. Every choice will look great with a pair of the best shorts and sandals to complete a full-on summer outfit.
Related: Our Top 14 Dress Shirts Pair As Well With Jeans As They Do With a Suit
Best Summer Shirts at a Glance
- Best Summer Shirt Overall: Tommy Bahama Silk Camp Shirt
- Best Linen Summer Shirt: American Giant Easy Linen Long Sleeve
- Best White Button-Down Summer Shirt: J. Crew Broken-In Organic Cotton Giant Oxford Shirt
- Best Relaxed T-Shirt Summer Shirt: Uniqlo U AIRism Cotton Oversized Crew Neck Half-Sleeve T-Shirt
- Best Polo Summer Shirt: Buck Mason Cotton Terry Loop Polo
- Best White Summer Shirt: Vuori Strato Tech Tee
- Best Chambray Summer Shirt: Buzz Rickson USN Chambray Work Shirt
- Best Dress Summer Shirt: Suitsupply Twill Tailored Fit Shirt
- Best Tank Top Summer Shirt: Reigning Champ Lightweight Jersey Tank Top
Best Summer Shirts for Men of 2024
Best Summer Shirt Overall: Tommy Bahama Silk Camp Shirt
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I thrifted a Tommy Bahama Silk Camp Shirt years ago, and by far, it’s my most-worn shirt every summer. I pop it on when hitting the beach to protect my shoulders and back from the sun but leave it unbuttoned to let the ocean breeze blow through. If the beating rays makes me crave shade and a cold Corona with lime, I simply button up before trudging over dunes to the boardwalk bar.
But Tommy Bahama shirts are more than a beachside faithful. This dresses up well with a pair of nice shorts and loafers for a happy hour or date night. And I even paired that exact thrifted shirt with a suit to attend a friend’s garden cocktail attire wedding.
While I was restricted to the single pattern that hung on a dusty Goodwill rack, you don’t have to be; the brand sells numerous styles in eye-catching colorways. Our favorite from this year’s line is Mangrove Jungle. And I always go a size up for extra breathability. If it feels big, you can always tuck it in and roll the sleeves up for a more form-fitting look.
Best Linen Summer Shirt: American Giant Easy Linen Long Sleeve
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I never believed the hype about linen, even as a man who sweats when the temperature crosses the 50-degree threshold. A material that’s super lightweight, breathes well, and dries quickly when soaked with moisture? Yeah, right, I’ll stick to my poly blends (words no one should ever utter).
Wow, was I mistaken. I wore the American Giant Easy Linen Long Sleeve to a destination wedding in Cancún, where it clung to my torso, under a blazer and tucked into pants, throughout a beach ceremony and cocktail hour, poolside reception, and sweaty dance club after-party. Normally, my shirt would turn a darker shade after less than an hour. But remarkably, over the course of an entire night, any sweat I exerted dried within minutes. And that, my friends, is a shirt that deserves your attention.
You can’t go wrong with a classic white. There’s even a short-sleeve version for those who don’t want to roll up their sleeves. And if you’re a hater who doesn't like linen because it wrinkles easily, a few minutes under a steamer causes most creases to flatten out.
Best White Button-Down Summer Shirt: J. Crew Broken-In Organic Cotton Oxford Shirt Giant Fit
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J. Crew makes reliable classics for men, but they’ve been tweaking their designs ever so slightly for modern times since adding creative director Brendon Babenzien of Supreme fame to the fold in 2021. As such, some might be wary that the brand’s Oxford has changed for the worse.
Relax, doubters; it’s as reliable as ever. But for summer, the typical slim J. Crew fit ain’t it. If you need a white button-down for a garden happy hour or outside work event, check out the J. Crew Broken-In Organic Cotton Giant Oxford Shirt. Not only will you be relaxed and comfortable, you’ll look like Hugh Grant in the '90s—in the best way, we swear.
Best Relaxed T-Shirt Summer Shirt: Uniqlo U AIRism Cotton Oversized Crew Neck Half-Sleeve T-Shirt
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I own multiple Uniqlo U AIRism Cotton Oversized Crew Neck Half-Sleeve T-Shirts, and for good reason. The shirt drapes off your body in a loose-fitting yet tailored way, creating a flattering fit that looks good on almost every body type, and I’m speaking as an extremely lanky runner guy who drowns in most T-shirts.
Nolan Hayes, associate designer for Diversified Apparel Group Ltd. and founder of clothing brand Transparent Hotel, says the shirt is so comfortable and stylish that it’s “kind of a meme" at this point.
“It’s pretty much the only T-shirt I wear,” he says.
The tee comes in numerous summer shades, so you can stock up for weekly wear. But my favorite is the light purple. Guys, we have enough white, black, and blue in our wardrobe—why not show off a little color?
Related: The Best Watches Under $1,000 Look Great for the Perfect Price
Best Polo Summer Shirt: Buck Mason Cotton Loop Terry Polo
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One sign of a great summer shirt is that it stays comfy and dry throughout a day of stressful shuttling. I put on the Buck Mason Cotton Loop Terry Polo in the morning before a day of travel, and after two delayed flights and an extra few hours in airports, I arrived at dinner that night looking like I just took the shirt out of the closet.
The lightweight cotton and nylon reverse weave jersey material is incredibly soft and airs out well. But my favorite details are the ribbed and tapered waistband and cuffs. They shape the shirt to your body without looking tight, creating a flattering fit that shows off your arms and tucks nicely into any shorts or pants if you'd like.
The only downside is that the Terry Loop Polo is hand-wash and air-dry only—a small price to pay for a shirt that looks and feels this good.
Best White Summer Shirt: Vuori Strato Tech Tee
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I first bought a Vuori Strato Tech Tee way back in 2018 and wore that thing weekly for three summers straight. The polyester blend fabric kept me cool on hot days, and the shirt looked nice on group runs or with a pair of chino shorts at social gatherings. And it held up really well to numerous washer and dryer cycles (though I’d recommend hanging it on a rack instead—it air dries in no time).
If you buy it in white, it’ll become the most versatile shirt in your drawer. Think: running shirt, undershirt, and casual white tee with jeans all at once. Unfortunately, I learned the hard way that it runs a bit small (I outgrew mine after those three summers), so size up to be safe.
Best Chambray Summer Shirt: Buzz Rickson USN Chambray Work Shirt
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You might mistakenly think chambray shirts are too heavy for summer—likely because the color and texture look like denim to the naked eye. But once you wear one, you’ll realize they’re perfectly airy shirts that look fashionable and keep you cool. Just try one unbuttoned with a tank top underneath and matched with a pair of chino shorts.
“My personal favorite chambray shirt is from a brand called Buzz Rickson,” says Albert Muzquiz, menswear expert and content creator. “I've had my shirt for six years. I wear it all the time and will probably be wearing it for the rest of my life.”
So give the Buzz Rickson USN Chambray Work Shirt a try. It might become a decades-long staple for you, too.
Best Dress Summer Shirt: Suitsupply Twill Tailored Fit Shirt
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Dress shirts are an inevitable piece of menswear, even in summer. Weddings and other formal events necessitate dressing up, so having a nice button-down in your closet is a must.
Men’s Journal contributor Paul Schrodt, who penned our best dress shirts article, picked the Suitsupply Twill Tailored Fit Shirt as his top choice. The brand sells its shirts for the right price, and the no-frills look can be had in numerous sizes and cuts, ensuring that every man can find the perfect fit.
Best Tank Top Summer Shirt: Reigning Champ Lightweight Jersey Tank Top
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OK, so they're not exactly shirts. But tank tops are the armless cousin of T-shirts, and they’re perfect for summer. Less fabric under the armpits means less sweat and more breathability.
Men’s Journal contributor Michael Stefanov selected the Reigning Champ Lightweight Jersey Tank Top as the best for 2024; he included it in our roundup of the best tank tops. Neither tight nor baggy, it’s the perfect fit as an undershirt or solo top. Pair it with whatever shoes you like—sneakers, loafers, or sandals—and a pair of shorts, and you’re set for the scalding days ahead.
What to Look for When Choosing the Best Summer Shirts
The term “summer shirt” can mean a lot of things. To us at Men’s Journal, it means a shirt you’re excited to pull from your drawers for a multitude of summer activities.
Whether it’s a T-shirt, button down, athletic shirt, or polo, it should be functional and durable. And consider the following questions: Can you wear it just as easily to a social event as you would to the beach? Will it not turn several shades darker with sweat after the shortest of jogs? Does it pack and travel well? Is the price point good enough that it won’t break your budget, but high quality enough that it’ll last for more than a single summer? And, for that matter, is it timeless enough that the style gods won’t curse you when trends change?
As for material: Cotton and linen will be your best friends. Both are breathable and comfortable in the heat. Meanwhile, synthetic fabrics like polyester or nylon help wick moisture away to keep you dry.
Muzquiz recommends that men use the summertime to experiment with new silhouettes: “I think a lot of men have this weird thing that their shirts and their clothes have to be really tight on them. And a tight shirt does not mean it fits well. Especially in summer—that's just gonna make you miserable.”
Nolan White, content creator and brand consultant, warns against getting shirts that are too big, however. While you can tuck them in, he stresses that in summer when you’re wearing shorts, you want a balanced look—not a shirt that will “swallow your shorts,” but instead complement them.
Regardless, you should aim to have a well-rounded group of shirts so your closet effortlessly carries you from casual hangouts to a nice dinner without making you overthink what you're wearing.
Why You Should Trust Us
As senior editor for Men's Journal, I'm constantly testing new menswear products from popular and obscure clothing brands alike. I also have friends and sources connected to the industry whom I speak to frequently about the latest trends and enduring classics.
For this article, I chatted with three menswear experts: content creator Albert Muzquiz, brand consultant and content creator Nolan White, as well as associate designer for Diversified Apparel Group Ltd. and founder of clothing brand Transparent Hotel Nolan Hayes. They detailed what they believe makes a great summer shirt and recommended some of their favorite styles.