The best linen shirts will land you on a summer mood board
Nothing is as smart as an Oxford button-up and as lightweight as one of the best T-shirts for men... right? Wrong. The best linen shirts for men are both of these things and so much more: more breathable than a tee; just as dressed up as an Oxford. In the first blush of warm weather, nothing is more satisfying to pull out of your wardrobe.
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Anyone who has ever put linen to skin in the form of summer shirt will be unsurprised to hear that this summer staple first came into being in the arid conditions of Ancient Egypt, used as a catch-all breathable fabric for surviving sky-high temperatures. The material has stood the test of time: thousands of years later and we’re still throwing on white linen, now in the form of a nice button-down as opposed to a toga.
Why has this material gone the distance in men’s wardrobes from thousands of years BC until the present day? It’s simple, really: a linen shirt is the most comfortable way to look and feel cool in the heat. Sure, like with even the very best linen suits or blazers, there is the small issue of creasing, but many modern iterations come blended with cotton to see off that problem. There are two options for those in the market for the pure linen alternative: up your ironing game or embrace the wrinkles. On more casual styles, we'd go so far as to say a slightly creased linen shirt adds to the laid-back aesthetic.
Best overall linen shirt
- Sizes: XS-XXL
- Colours: White, brown, navy (+3 more)
If you still think of Abercrombie as a mall brand full of cheap thrills, then think again. Now a solid, budget-friendly menswear store, you can take a look at its linen button-up shirt as a good example of where things have developed to. Classic in collar and placket, there's nary a moose in sight, plus it has a squared-off hem so you don’t feel like you’re wearing an oversized nightgown if you go down the non-tuck route.
Best affordable linen shirt
- Sizes: XS-3XL
- Colours: Green/white
Dubai chocolate went out of style faster than trends during the “-core” era, but if you still have a craving for pistachio, check out Uniqlo’s premium linen shirt. It comes with some pre-weathered vintage striping, already creased because of its 100 per cent linen fabrication. Let it hang over some chino shorts, or tuck it into a pair of the brand’s equally-affordable pleated trousers.
Best luxury linen shirt
- Sizes: S-3XL
- Colours: Royal blue, white, green (+5 more)
Having a wrinkly shirt is a major menswear no-no. Unless, of course, it’s a linen shirt that you’ve thrashed enough to earn those permanent creases. Frescobol Carioca is helping you get halfway there, offering its Angelo camp collar shirt slightly pre-distressed. It comes in an array of colours, and features a handy second chest pocket to slide your sunglasses into.
Reiss
- Sizes: S-3XL
- Colours: Red, blue, green (+11 more)
Sometimes, plain doesn’t mean boring. (Except for when you’re cooking: season your food, man.) Reiss offers its linen cutaway shirt without the bells and whistles. It’s a simplistic take on your classic linen dress shirt with a short, jagged collar, ivory buttons, and sleeve cuffs just thick enough that they’ll stay on your forearms (even if you skipped your curls). And if the offering of 14 different colours doesn’t float your boat, you can grab it in a striped graphic too.
Sunspel
- Sizes: XS-XXS
- Colours: Blue, orange, pink (+7 more)
Some linen shirts are bought to be thrashed on holiday. Others, like this one from Sunspel, are in it for the long haul. Made from an extra-fine linen, this shirt is going to get better with time if you embrace those creases. Pair it with some pleated trousers, and you have a combo that’ll become a go-to in no time.
Wax London
- Sizes: XS-XXL
- Colours: Black, red, green (+21 more)
Yes, Wax London's Didcot shirt does come in 24 different colours, but that spans everything from Sopranos-esque vintage striping to soft boy florals primed to meet the in-laws. We’re big fans of the latter, which is a boxy camp collar in sky blue with embroidered flowers. Wax London truly does something for everyone in the cotton-linen department.
Drake's
- Sizes: XS-2XL
- Colours: Green, red, blue (+9 more)
The best way to transition your dress shirts is with a one-to-one swap. Take Drake's spread collar shirt, for example. It has the same double button on the sleeves as your favourite autumn shirt, ivory buttons for a bit of contrast, and a chest pocket for your sunnies. Oh, and it’s made out of an incredibly soft linen. Don’t overthink it, just switch the same silhouette with a lighter material.
Percival
- Sizes: XS-XXL
- Colours: Pink, blue, brown, and one more
Listen, sometimes you want to go pure dirtbag and wear a flannel. Only issue? The UK is currently as hot as the final dab on Hot Ones, so going for wool isn’t an option. Thankfully, the lads over at Percival have concocted an easy breezy plaid shirt built out of a linen and cotton-blend. It comes in that cropped and boxy fit that’s perfect for shorter shorts, and has extended cuffs to make rolling them up your forearm look a bit more natural.
Hawes & Curtis
- Sizes: S-3XL
- Colours: Beige, white, taupe
Safari shirts aren’t just for lion gazing and running from a pack of hyenas, gents. Hawes & Curtis, which is the king of the multi-buy, just so happen to make a linen option that’ll be the next expansion franchise in your wardrobe. This one comes in an array of natural colours, accenting the double chest pockets and particularly pointed collar. Wear yours with a safari-themed beige palette, or go menswear nerd with some navy chino shorts.
Suitsupply
- Sizes: XS-XXL
- Colours: Green, blue, cream (+14 more)
People loved Suitsupply’s light linen shirts so much that it decided to throw the entire rainbow at it. Arriving in 17(!) colours ranging from Seychelles green to Tropicana orange, this bad boy can’t get any more smart classic. There’s a jagged button-up collar, pleats along the lower half of the sleeve, and a long-ish body for ample tucking potential into your favourite summer suit.
Polo Ralph Lauren
- Sizes: XS-2XL
- Colours: Blue/white
Summering in Lake Como with a Hugo Spritz in hand is an experience that deserves a cheeky cigarette, bowls of pasta, and a great shirt to tie it all together. This one from Polo Ralph Lauren embodies vacationing with its lightweight construction and sleeve cuffs that will stay on your forearm when cuffed… even if you forgot to smash forearm curls this spring.
Tommy Hilfiger
- Sizes: XS-2XL
- Colours: Green, brown, yellow (+7 more)
It’s easy to harp on the details when you’re looking for your next big purchase. Does it have enough buttons? How well do the sleeves stay up? Will it fit my neck if I decide to go fully buttoned to the top like a Mormon? Take a moment and think about colour instead. Tommy Hilfiger makes linen shirts that’ll send you into a frenzy. The type where you can smell colours. This green is stunning, and so is the baby blue and baby shower pink.
How we chose the best linen shirts for men
Menswear is a matter of taste, right? Partly, yes. But thankfully, we have a team of tastemakers at British GQ: style writers and enthusiasts who care about the rise and break on a pair of trousers as much as the cotton to linen ratio on a shirt. This guide has been written up by fashion lover Marcus Mitropoulos, who's always on the hunt for a new shirt. He's joined by Senior Commerce Writer Jessie Atkinson and Paris-based menswear writer Faye Fearon. Each has used hands-on experience with designer and high street collections, inside knowledge from GQ editors, and the latest street style shots and fashion week shows to inform their choices here.
While it isn't possible for a small team to live with every item of clothing we recommend, we do only select from brands that we've worn extensively in the past. We also take customer reviews, material composition and value for money into account before an item goes from, ‘wow, this shirt looks sick’ to the contents of this guide.
What to wear with a linen shirt?
The beauty of the linen shirt is that it’s laid-back enough to keep stickiness at bay in the glare of the sun but smart enough to elevate even a pair of swim shorts. Wear one underneath a suit — linen or not — for a tieless ‘fit at a summer wedding, or unbuttoned and sized up with chinos and loafers for that coveted The Talented Mr. Ripley look. Few pieces are quite so versatile as part of a summer wardrobe: you can choose a more tailored fit for wear as part of a business casual look or a relaxed fit with more drape for that louche French touch — with additional breathability.
Unlike other kinds of shirt (s/o to the best white dress shirts and grandad shirts out there), the linen shirt is defined more by the material its made of than strict parameters on how it looks. As such, you’ll be able to choose from a number of different collars: those on the hunt for biz-casj should opt for a classic spread collar, while men wanting something a little more fun can try a (summer fashion staple) camp collar or even more laidback grandad collar.
What are the benefits of wearing linen?
Wearing linen is the easiest way to swerve sweaty pits and stains down your back because the material is inherently breathable and absorbent. So much so, in fact, that it can soak up about 20 per cent of its weight in moisture before any perspiration can be seen by strangers on the Tube… which makes it a good option if you’re the kind of guy that overheats quickly.
Plus, it’s an effortless material that wants to move and crease with your body. So, if you’re on the lazier side and don’t fancy hanging your shirts in the shower to steam them in an affordable way, then linen is the play. Plus, it’s one of the most green thumb friendly options out there. It's made from the flax plant, which uses a fraction of the water, chemicals and fertilizers of its cotton-based cousins.
Which type of linen is best?
Linen is far more cut and dried when you compare it to an autumnal material like wool. You can tell it’s in its best form when its origins are based somewhere in Europe, like France or Belgium. If you want to get deeper into things, then look for a weave that’s not only tight but even. As you thrash it in the washing machine, it should also keep getting softer.
Does linen shrink when washed?
It might not be the answer you’re looking for, but linen will marginally shrink in the wash. Because of its nature, and the fact the material is found in nature, water causes the dry flax fibers to tighten up. You can avoid this with a few easy steps: wash your linen on low or lukewarm, in a gentle cycle, and cap it all off by air drying it.
