The coolest short-sleeve shirts for men aren’t going anywhere, thank you very much. Fall might be on the horizon, but even if the calendar says summer’s end is nigh, the forecast tells us not to put away the warm-weather gear yet. And no, we’re not talking about T-shirts: We’re talking about shirts with a full placket of buttons and half the amount of sleeves. (To some extent, though, we are talking about polos, a.k.a. T-shirts with collars).
The energy this summer is as follows: Relaxed fits are still in, and so are camp shirts. Knit shirts will be everywhere, and you’ll probably see more linen than you might be comfortable with. Also: Most fellas will be reaching for a button-up before they do a button-down. To that end, we put together a few standout options across the categories that matter most. If you’re in the market for a superlative short-sleeve shirt, you’re in the right place.
7 of Our Favorite Short-Sleeve Shirts Right Now
Shop By Style: Camp Collar Shirts | Knit Shirts | Linen Shirts | Button-Up Shirts | Work Shirts
Camp Shirts
Camp-collar shirts have been the reigning short-sleeve MVP for the past few seasons, and there are no signs the style will fall out of favor any time soon. We’re not complaining: They’re about as comfortable as a shirt can be and play nice with an impossible number of pants and short styles. They’re also amenable to all manner of wild patterns, details and silhouettes. That’s all to say camp-collars are as good as they’ve ever have been.
For more campy goodness, check out our guide to the best camp shirts.
Knit Shirts
The knit shirt takeover is in full swing, and if you haven’t gotten in on the action yet, now’s the time to do so. These soft, airy shirts—knit from cotton, linen, or a blend of both—give off a vintage, throwback energy, and are decidedly more dressy than the standard button-down. You can opt for a tightly knit polo shirt, or go full on see-through in a crochet style, which would be quite handsome worn over a white tee and a pair of pleated pants.
Linen Shirts
Perhaps due to changing tastes towards more languid, relaxed silhouettes, it’s guaranteed you’ll see more linen this year. Of course, linen shirts are undeniably practical in the summer months (see: wedding and vacation season), and labels are doling out many a flowy, breezy option to consider. If you’re worried about creasing, look for a cotton-linen blend. But trust, the true glory of linen is to allow yourself to embrace the wrinkle.
For more linen magic, check out our guide to the best linen shirts.
Button-Up Shirts
While the classic Oxford button-down should always be in your arsenal, when the heat becomes unbearable, the general mood calls for a go-to button-up. Less preppy, more casual, but equally versatile. At their best, they can complement anything you’re wearing, and add a little gloss to an otherwise simple fit. You can wear go for something tailored or relaxed and get great results. Better yet, you can run one wide open over a tank or a tee, or button it up for two completely different looks.
Work Shirts
Luckily, you don’t need to know the difference between a drill bit and a drive bit to appreciate the humble work shirt. These days, you can find ’em in summer-friendly fabrics but with the same workwear-inspired details you know and love: hardwearing buttons, pockets on pockets, and roomy, relaxed silhouettes. These tough-as-nails overachievers are worthy additions to any rotation, no matter your 9-5 gig.
