The best grandad shirts for making your old man's old man proud
Few shirting choices offer quite as much versatility as that which takes its name from your family's patriarch. Shop GQ's pick of the best grandad shirts you can buy right now
Season after season, collarless grandad shirts make a greater case as a wardrobe essential. The effortlessly cool and casual shirting choice is a go-to for men’s style icons from Liam Payne to David Beckham for good reason. Working as well beneath a blazer as it does layered over a T-shirt, as a warm-weather-friendly alternative to a bomber jacket, its styling opportunities know no bounds.
Eschewing the formality of your best white dress shirts, rumour would have it that the grandad shirt's origins may well have only just predated your own grandfather. On the factory floor in the late 1920s, with flapping ties a safety hazard around heavy machinery, blue-collar workers were said to cut off the collars of their shirts. No wonder, then, that the style is particularly favoured among workwear brands today.
Summer's answer to your overshirt, the grandad shirt thrives this season thanks to its breeziness as a standalone styling choice and its variety of layering opportunities. Equally, opting for a crisp white or sky-blue hue makes for perfect dressed-down (or up, depending on your work environment) officewear. From Moss to Oliver Spencer, here we’ve picked out some of the best you can buy.
What are GQ's best grandad shirts for men?
You'll find all the grandad shirts worth your consideration in the gallery below, but first, here's what our editors are wearing this season:
- Best overall grandad shirt: Cos, £75, cos.com
- Best affordable grandad shirt: Mango, £50, mango.com
- Best designer grandad shirt: Officine Générale, £265, mrporter.com
- Best classic grandad shirt: Uniqlo, £39.90, uniqlo.com
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1/11Best classic grandad shirt: Uniqlo
- Fabrication: Linen
- Sizes: XS-3XL
- Colours: Blue, white, black, olive (+2 more)
It is, of course, unsurprising that Uniqlo plays host to a stock of pure linen grandad shirts in a variety of neutral hues. For peak loucheness, however, do as the model does, and just fasten the initial three buttons, allowing the hem to flow open loosely. Make sure to layer up underneath though, lest you flash on-lookers. £39.90. uniqlo.com
2/11Best designer grandad shirt: Officine Générale
- Fabrication: Cotton
- Sizes: XS-XXL
- Colours: White
If you’re looking to serve a strong dose of French elegance through your style game, Officine Générale is the perfect source to provide it. Sitting in the Parisian brand’s current collection, this grandad shirt communicates the brand’s effortless ethos through its staple white shade, soft cotton texture and finely striped finish. £265. At mrporter.com
3/11Best overall grandad shirt: Cos
- Fabrication: Linen
- Sizes: XS-XL
- Colours: Lilac, navy
Looking to serve a statement through your grandad shirt? Cos is on hand to help out with this stunning lilac style. Brought to life through a recycled linen blend (instant points for sustainability), its popping hue is shaped to an oversized silhouette and based with a tiered hem. Layered over a striking pair of white shorts, you'll be turning heads for the right reasons. £75. At cos.com
4/11Best affordable grandad shirt: Mango
- Fabrication: Linen
- Sizes: XS-XXL
- Colours: Tan, beige, white
To those in search of a fashionable linen shirt on a budget, we suggest taking a trip to Mango – specifically, for this tan design. Light in weight and classic in fit, it's structured with a soft Mao neckline and falls to a rounded hem for an extra bit of movement upon wear. For under £50, it's a style steal for summer. £49.99. At mango.com
5/11Oliver Spencer
- Fabrication: Linen
- Sizes: 14.5-17.5
- Colours: Beige
A perfect case for embracing stripes this summer, Oliver Spencer's current grandad shirt will streamline your style to fresh heights. Crafted from a soft linen texture, it promises the most breathable feel for warmer temperatures, and also aligns with a sandy backdrop through its finishing beige buttons. What better piece for a relaxed walk along the beach? £160. At mrporter.com
6/11Reiss
- Fabrication: Linen
- Sizes: XS-3XL
- Colours: Black, blue, sage, stone (+1 more)
Fresh from your old-old man's closet and ready for placement into your own, Reiss' grandad shirt keeps things as simple and effective as can be. Detailed with a button-front closure, classic cuffs and a practical patch pocket at the top of the chest, it's a failsafe companion to see you through pretty much any imminent occasion (because, after all, you can't go wrong with black). £98. At reiss.com
7/11Massimo Alba
- Fabrication: Linen
- Sizes: S-XXL
- Colours: Blue, green, brown
Famed for its soft Italian tailoring and classically-cut shirting, Massimo Alba's grandad shirt is infused with generations of expertise. Rich in appearance thanks to its denim-like blue shade, it's cut from a light and airy linen and features contrasting mother-of-pearl buttons down its half placket. This one is currently on sale via Mr Porter, so make the most of its offer before it's too late.
£290£145. At mrporter.com
8/11Marks & Spencer
- Fabrication: Linen
- Sizes: S-4XL
- Colours: Black, white
It's never a bad idea to embrace head-to-toe black in your wardrobe, and this grandad shirt from Marks & Spencer will help you do it in style. Cut to a comfortable regular fit and detailed with an easy-to-iron finish, it's finished with a simple button fastening and is designed to work both layered over or tucked into trousers. Classic, well-crafted and sold at a budget-friendly price, what's not to love? £40. At marksandspencer.com
9/11Frescobol Carioca
- Fabrication: Linen
- Sizes: S-XXXL
- Colours: White, blue, navy
Crafting its clothing to accommodate the city and leisure, Frescobol Carioca's latest grandad shirt will keep you comfortable (and stylish) for hours on end. Combining classic shirting with a laid-back feel, this white Jorge design is stitched to a collarless silhouette and has a slightly billowing shape in the arms for a nonchalant effect. We suggest tucking it into your best high waisted denim and layering a single-breasted blazer over it for failsafe seasonal attire. £175. At frescobolcarioca.com
10/11Pull&Bear
- Fabrication: Linen blend
- Sizes: XS-XL
- Colours: Khaki
A sartorial cheat code for a more laidback ‘fit? One word: linen. Done out in a sage green linen construction, Pull&Bear’s youthful and breathable grandad shirt is the piece set to save you (and your sweat glands) come spring and summer. £29.99. At asos.com
11/11Polo Ralph Lauren
- Fabrication: Linen/flax
- Sizes: XS-XL
- Colours: White
With the instantly recognisable Polo Pony motif embroidered at the chest, this grandad shirt from Polo Ralph Lauren is one that your grandpa might actually compliment. With the label's signature sense of preppy Ivy League chic, this shirt is sure to appeal to several generations. And for good reason too. £159. At farfetch.com
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