WHEN the weather really heats up, there’s only one fabric that will do.
Linen has long been used in hot climates thanks to its lightweight, loose weave (which lets in more air) and soft texture which feels comfortable against the skin all day.
As for summer shirts, there’s arguably no better fabric around. If you’re looking to upgrade your spring and summer shirt game, linen is most certainly the place to start.
But which style should you go for, how should it fit and what are the best men’s linen shirts available right now? We’ve got all the answers.
Best linen shirts at a glance
- Best value linen shirt: J.Ver
- Best grandad collar: Vanvene
- Best all-rounder: M&S
- Best Cuban collar: New Look
- Best designer linen shirt: Mr Porter
J.Ver
- J.Ver linen shirt, from £15.99 at Amazon - buy here
Linen shirts are often at their best when in simple, easy-to-wear designs. Take this short sleeve shirt by J.Ver as a prime example.
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Cut with a comfortable, boxy fit and made from a soft cotton linen blend, it combines the durability of cotton with the lightweight breathability of linen, making it ideal for wearing in the warmest climes.
Finished in a versatile light blue shade, it’s the kind of shirt that can be dressed up with tailored trousers and suede loafers, or down with shorts and leather sandals.
VANVENE
- Vanvene linen shirt, from £19.66 at Amazon - buy here
There are some shirt styles that linen was practically made for. The grandad collar is one of them.
While this classic design can look slightly strange when cut in cotton, the relaxed nature of linen gives it an effortless, easy feel and one that’s perfectly suited to wearing on holiday, or on scorching days in the city.
This particular design comes with a half-placket front and a simple chest pocket, while the long arms and boxy cut make it particularly adaptable.
Try it with drawstring trousers or shorts and finish with your favourite pair of trainers.
M&S
- Pure Linen Shirt, £40 at M&S - buy here
M&S is a failsafe brand when it comes to well-designed, easy-to-style basics. Take this linen shirt as an example.
A no-frills design is combined with a tailored cut, while the soft pure linen fabric makes it especially light and breathable.
If you’re going to buy just one shirt, this could be the only one you need.
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New Look
- Short sleeve stripe linen shirt, £24.99 at New Look - buy here
When it comes to short sleeve summer shirts, it’s hard to go wrong with the Cuban collar.
This distinctive open-collar design comes with a boxy fit that makes it ideal for throwing on over a pair of shorts on the hottest of days.
Try this striped design poolside or dress it up with chinos for the evening.
Mr P
- Garment-Dyed Linen Shirt, £125 at Mr Porter - buy here
This classic linen shirt by Mr P has been garment dyed for a deeper blue shade and an incredibly soft handle.
An easy, relaxed fit is combined with a soft collar and single chest pocket for a shirt you can dress up with suit trousers or down with swimming shorts on the beach.
M&S
- Linen Blend Striped Shirt, £32 at M&S - buy here
For a splash of summertime colour, this M&S shirt will do the trick nicely.
In a style Cuban collar design and with bold vertical stripes, the sunshine yellow shade will complement a range of tones, from navy blues to stones and neutrals.
Charles Tyrwhitt
- Pure Linen Stripe Shirt, £139.90 at Charles Tyrwhitt - buy here
For a smart casual linen shirt you can wear with chinos to the office, Charles Tyrwhitt is the brand for you.
The shirt specialist is well known for its business attire, but its casual designs are equally versatile and well made.
Try this striped take with tailored trousers and derbies for warm commutes.
Onia
- Stretch Linen Short Sleeve Shirt, £103 at Onia - buy here
Simplicity is the order of the day with this Onia shirt. With a minimal design and a flattering regular fit, it’s the kind of summer shirt you could just throw on without thinking about it.
The light grey shade makes it incredibly versatile, complementing shirts, chinos and sandals or trainers.
Flax London
- Midweight Linen Cuban Short Sleeve, £130 at Flax - buy here
Specialists in linen designs, Flax London only works with the finest fabrics sourced from mills like Baird McNutt in Northern Ireland.
Its expertise is displayed well with this powder blue shirt. With a stylish Cuban collar and a relaxed fit, it’s cut for maximum versatility in the heat.
What to look for in the best men's linen shirts
Style
Unsurprisingly, linen shirts come in many shapes and sizes. Whatever your needs, you can be sure there’s a linen shirt for you thanks to the sheer variety of collar shapes, fits and lengths out there.
Need a go-to daily summer shirt? Try a linen button down shirt, which borrows the same style and fit as your favourite Oxford shirt, and replaces the heavier cotton fabric with linen.
This is a style you can wear with anything, from jeans though to chinos, shorts and trainers. Looking for the ultimate warm weather style though? You might consider a Cuban collar linen shirt.
These resort style shirts come with open necks, notched collars, short sleeves, and a boxy fit, making them exceptionally versatile and comfortable now matter how hot it gets.
Colour
Linen takes colour especially well. Indeed, if you’re looking to add some vibrancy to your summer wardrobe, doing it with linen is easy.
Whereas other fabrics can look too bright and harsh when in a bright shade, linen has a tendency to mute colours down, making them appear less drastic than they might otherwise.
This means an array of tones could work for you, whether you go coral pink, sunshine yellow or burnt orange. Go for a brightly coloured shirt and make sure to tone the rest of the look down, pairing it with simple basics which will allow the shirt to take centre stage.
Fit
On fit, linen shirts shouldn’t be too slim. The fabric works best when cut in slightly boxier, regular fits, which keeps things breezy and stops the fabric from clinging to your body when it’s hot.
With linen shirts, look to slightly shorter hems with boxy middles and slightly dropped shoulders, and you’ll look as cool as you are comfortable.
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