A linen shirt is a fashion staple for men — it's cool enough for summer styling and perfect with layers in the chillier months. However, choosing the right one can take some thought as there are loads of fantastic options out there, from designer brands like Tommy Hilfiger, Banana Republic and Hugo Boss to affordable UK high street labels such as Bershka and River Island.
This article will look at all the options, from plain white short-sleeved shirts and chic long-sleeved black tops to those with a grandad collar, funky patterns and even a pocket or two. We've ranked them according to comfort, versatility, range of colours and ease of care, plus we'll share links to ASOS and John Lewis to save you precious browsing time. Whether smart or casual, for the beach or a wedding, we have the linen shirt that you need this season!
Quick List - Top Linen Shirts for Men
John Lewis & Partners
Lightweight Linen in a Range of Sumptuous Colours
Melissa Melles is a Wardrobe Concierge based in Manchester, helping both women and men find their style and have confidence in what they wear by organising their wardrobes. With 10 years industry experience, Melissa's clients trust her expert opinion when it comes to style advice. Her experience spans from TV, music and editorial styling, to working in Paris showrooms, to personal shopping in luxury department stores and more.
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Table of Contents
Melissa Melles is a Wardrobe Concierge based in Manchester, helping both women and men find their style and have confidence in what they wear by organising their wardrobes.
With 10 years of industry experience, Melissa's clients trust her expert opinion when it comes to style advice. Her experience spans from TV, music and editorial styling, to working in Paris showrooms, to personal shopping in luxury department stores and more.
Find out more about Melissa via her Instagram or head over to her website where you can see all the expert consultation services she offers - from simply organising your wardrobe space to sourcing those hard to find 'New Season' pieces!
First, let's break down the features you should consider. A casual linen shirt will look and feel pretty different from the kind of thing you'd wear to work or a wedding. This section hence divides the options into simple categories, to help you spend your money wisely.
Decide on the sleeve length of your linen shirt according to the weather and the dress code of the events you plan to attend while wearing it. For beach barbecues, picnics or countryside strolls in the sun, we think a short-sleeved shirt is best, as it'll keep you ventilated and free to catch some vitamin D.
A full-length sleeve with a button at the cuff is better suited to an office environment and, in the right colourway, it can also be a lovely choice for a wedding. Longer sleeves also have the option to be rolled up, for a little variation. A mid-length sleeve that stops at the elbow is a good choice too if you want to look smart but still keep things on the casual side.
Short sleeve cuban style shirts are really cool at the moment, there are lots of brands doing co-ords too so matching shorts to the short sleeve shirts, quite a statement for that holiday we've all been waiting for. Longer sleeves are better for cooler weather but don't always mean they're more formal.
Linen is a brilliantly breathable fabric but the collar shape can make a drastic difference to the overall feel of the shirt. Depending on your plans and what you desire from the overall fit, certain collar shapes may be more advantageous.
A classic shirt collar with two triangular sections at the front can be buttoned right up to the top for a contemporary look that's favoured by the lead singer of pretty much every hipster guitar band. It can also be worn unbuttoned for that Italian male model on the red carpet vibe, if that's your thing!
Aesthetics aside, another benefit of a typical button-down collar is that you can adjust it according to the weather conditions and temperature. Buttoned-up works well in chilly climbs during autumn and winter, while unbuttoned loosens the neck and allows a breeze through in hotter months. Classic shirt collars can also be worn with a tie or bow tie, making them even more versatile.
Buttoned up I think looks great when layering a look, so wearing your shirt under jumpers or blazers, fastening the buttons gives a more polished defined look. Where undoing a couple of buttons on your shirt after a day at the office totally makes the look more casual and you can feel much more comfortable when out for those after work drinks.
If you find the classic shirt collar a little too on the nose, another tasteful option is the grandad collar, also known as the mandarin collar. This simple, round neckline is a comfortable stepping stone between a run-of-the-mill t-shirt and a super-smart suit and tie.
We think a grandad collar is particularly fitting with a linen shirt, as there's something about the understated shape that works brilliantly with the natural fabric. Grandad collar shirts can't be worn with a tie so they're not quite as versatile dress code-wise, but they keep your neck cool and can be worn with jeans or smart chinos.
Grandad collar shirts give a whole look altogether, again not necessarily always formal, worn undone and in a linen fabric, they can be a great choice for a casual dinner on your summer holiday. These are also a popular option for formal suits now, a tie can't be worn but you can still pop a pocket square in your blazer to smarten the look.
The most laid-back of all is the floppy, slouchy revere collar which has a v-neck shape with the first button a little lower down than a classic shirt collar. These collars usually appear on shirts made from a more lightweight linen blend, and the casual fit makes them great for energetic partying in the blazing sun.
While this type of linen shirt collar can look great with cut-off shorts or cargo trousers, it's extra casual and is therefore likely to raise eyebrows if worn at formal affairs. Guys who wear a chain or necklace should also note that this is one of the better collar shapes to show off jewellery.
A revere collar is a great choice for a more casual event, allowing you to possibly wear some jewellery or even try something new and opt for a bold print, a revere collar shirt is great paired with jeans and a smart sneaker for a date night or a night out with the boys.
When you get to our countdown of the top 10 best linen shirts for men for this year, you'll see that we have selected a number of garments made from 100% linen. Others comprise a blend of linen with other, cheaper fabrics such as cotton. Let's consider the benefits and disadvantages of pure linen vs linen blends.
The biggest advantage of 100% pure linen is the softness, quality and durability. Linen is woven from flax fibre, making it not only strong and soft to the touch, but also dense without being overly heavy. It simply looks more luxurious to the eye than bog-standard cotton. It does crease easily though, and tends to cost more.
For a more affordable option that stays smoother longer after ironing, we recommend a linen shirt with some cotton blended through the fabric. As well as being cheaper and creasing less, this material is very breathable and light. Sadly though, this fabric wears out after fewer washes than pure linen.
Linen is not only a great option to stay cooler in the hotter climates but it's also a natural fibre and therefore you're helping to be sustainable too! Once you're done with your shirt, if it's worn or no longer fits, when recycled the fibres in the linen won't contribute to destroying the earth like a lot of synthetics do.
Some 100% linen shirts require special care such as dry cleaning or hand-washing which isn't particularly convenient, even if the garment is of high quality. We hence recommend checking the care instructions before you buy and looking out for a linen shirt that's machine washable at 30 or 40 degrees.
It's also worth checking out the drying options. For best results, line dry a linen shirt in warm, bright conditions and use a fabric conditioner in your wash to keep the fibres soft and protected. This will ensure that your new purchase stays in tip-top condition.
A linen shirt is likely going to be a favourite for the summer months, therefore you'll be wearing it a lot and likely need to wash it after each wear, especially with the hotter summers we're starting to experience. It's always good to aim for a machine washable linen, this will help you maintain it a lot easier.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | AllSaints Hewitt Linen Shirt | ![]() | A Gorgeously Heavy Yet Breathable Garment | |
2 | John Lewis & Partners Regular Fit Short Sleeve Linen Shirt | ![]() | Lightweight Linen in a Range of Sumptuous Colours | |
3 | ASOS DESIGN Relaxed Linen Mix Scribble Print Shirt | ![]() | Turn Heads With This Quirky Summer Print | |
4 | River Island Long Sleeve Linen Blend Shirt | ![]() | A Striking Black Shirt With a Handy Breast Pocket | |
5 | Banana Republic Camp Collar Striped Linen Shirt | ![]() | Simple Stripes for Casual Cool | |
6 | Only & Sons Grandad Collar Mid-Sleeve Shirt | ![]() | Youthful, Chilled-Out and Affordable | |
7 | Tommy Hilfiger Pigment Dyed Glacier Shirt | ![]() | A Beautiful Shirt From a Beloved Brand | |
8 | Bershka Linen Stripe Shirt With Grandad Collar | ![]() | Sophisticated Stripes at a Snip | |
9 | FatFace Bugle Linen Blend Short Sleeve Shirt | ![]() | A Breezy, Cotton Blend Shirt in Navy | |
10 | Hugo Boss Luka Banana Leaf Print Shirt | ![]() | You Better Leaf Right Now if You Don't Love This Shirt |
You can't get much cooler than a white linen shirt in the heat of summer. This dense yet ventilated top by AllSaints would look amazing on men of any height, size or skintone, and it can be dressed up or down depending on your mood. Layer it over a t-shirt or chuck it on over a bare chest for some sun protection while at the beach.
British fashion retailer AllSaints has, like many brands, a way to go in terms of ethics but is doing more than most in terms of improving its environmental credentials, so we'd say the price of this garment is justified. It hangs beautifully and lends a sense of sophistication even to shorts or a scruffy haircut— it's the ultimate linen shirt!
If an inexpensive, touchably soft shirt sounds up your street, we suggest browsing this brightly coloured range of 100% linen shirts from John Lewis & Partners. The shade options include mango, dragon fruit (a mix between red and purple), eucalyptus green, navy, light blue and white.
Available in sizes small to XXL, this shirt has a comfortable longline fit and doesn't get overly creased despite being pure linen. We love the little white buttons against the striking jewel tones and we think the standard collar could definitely be jazzed up with a tie or bow tie for fancy affairs!
We adore this loose, short-sleeved shirt from ASOS Design which is available from size XXS all the way up to XXL. It has wide sleeves that stop just above the elbow and cute pockets at the front for storing prized possessions or just a bit of posing. The fun summer print features shells, suns, hands and roses, which makes a welcome change from stripes or plain designs if you ask us!
This shirt is made up of 70% cotton but the remaining 30% linen really does add a decent amount of weight, separating this top from the flimsy viscose that many men's shirts are fashioned from these days. As ASOS customers note that this shirt does come up rather big, we recommend sizing down to avoid disappointment.
Everyone needs a simple black shirt in their wardrobe, that's just the rule. This one happens to be more than 50% linen and cut in a shape to flatter every body type. The sleeves are wrist-length but can be rolled up for a more effortless feel, making this a brilliant buy that you'll be able to wear again and again.
The classic collar shape can be buttoned tightly or loosely depending on where you are, where the sun is and what look you're going for. Since there's cotton blended through this linen shirt, it doesn't scrunch up or crease as easily as purer fabric mixes. Furthermore, it won't need regular ironing so it's simple to care for.
Banana Republic is an off-shoot of the Gap clothing brand, designing ultra-wearable clothing that's suitable for any time of the year. The label has decent ethical credentials and is working to improve them further, so you can feel good about splashing out a little more on this classy shirt with a v-neck cutaway revere collar.
Thanks to the loose fit, this short-sleeved shirt is a fab option for warmer weather but could be layered with a cardigan as the evening cools. Team it with bold-coloured shorts for an eccentric outfit apt for a sun-soaked safari or just a wander down the high street. Best of all, the vertical stripes are simultaneously slimming and smart!
On the hunt for a shirt that feels totally casual while actually looking kind of striking? This grandad collar shirt with elbow-length sleeves could be just what you need. It's one of the most versatile options on our list; pair with elegant chinos for a family do or rough it up with jeans for a night of clubbing.
The widely-spaced buttons give you the option to un-do in toastier temperatures, but we think this shirt looks best buttoned to the neck. Only & Sons is a youthful menswear brand that keeps things affordable, and the slightly higher amount of cotton in this shirt keeps it from creasing.
If you're lucky enough to have the funds for this rather costly designer shirt, we think you may have just found your new favourite piece of clothing! This 100% pure linen shirt has a sexy rugged-yet-touchable texture and the tiny Tommy Hilfiger logo adds serious sporty cool points.
The long sleeves and classic button-down collar mean this shirt errs on the smart side, or if you roll up the cuffs and undo a few buttons, it could be paired with chino shorts for a slightly less formal look. Although this top is totally machine-washable and pretty low maintenance, it'll look best when carefully ironed.
If you're thinking of a linen shirt more as a specific fashion statement than a warm garment, we think that a striped long-sleeve option provides a laid-back yet sophisticated look. This relatively bargainous version from Bershka has a low-key grandad collar and can be layered over a t-shirt or worn alone.
This chic shirt is 100% linen, which guarantees it's lovely and soft to the touch — just be prepared to wrestle the ironing board before every wear! It's a shame that Bershka's garments aren't designed to last for a long time, but we still like this carefree shirt and its appealing price tag.
Next on our list is an extra-wide sleeved shirt from reliable clothing line FatFace, available in deep navy blue. Designed with the great outdoors in mind, garments from this brand are guaranteed to be hardy and comfortable. In addition, the brand is making some steps towards sustainability which is good news for shoppers.
This shirt is made from a linen-cotton blend, with slightly more cotton, making the fabric feel heavy and high-quality without weighing down the wearer. We love the classic mid-size collar and the large breast pocket. Short sleeves keep you cool on seaside hikes or can be layered with a roll-neck on winter expeditions.
Those who love to make a fashion statement will go bananas for this upbeat patterned shirt from Hugo Boss. It's light, airy and comfortable for beach walks or hours on the dance floor, plus the pattern is quirky without going overboard.
The reason it's towards the bottom end of our list is that the price is very high for what you get — especially considering that this shirt is actually 72% cotton! While Hugo Boss is a top brand, we've found even nicer shirts for less cash. Nevertheless, it's definitely versatile enough for clubbing, festivals or a laid-back wedding.
If you've got a cool event on the horizon and need some wardrobe inspo or want to smell fresh, check out the links below. We have fabulous ideas for comfortable, stylish clothing and top-quality fragrances, all of which will have you feeling your very best!
Well, there you have it folks. We do hope you are as a big a fan of our recommendations as we are! We think we did a grand job of picking out a selection of stylish linen shirts, with some loose fit, short-sleeved and even collarless choices in there for variety. Now all you need is an invite to somewhere snazzy.
Author: Annie Hopkins
Buying Guide Reviewed by Melissa Melles
No. 1: AllSaints|Hewitt Linen Shirt
No. 2: John Lewis & Partners|Regular Fit Short Sleeve Linen Shirt
No. 3: ASOS DESIGN|Relaxed Linen Mix Scribble Print Shirt
No. 4: River Island|Long Sleeve Linen Blend Shirt
No. 5: Banana Republic|Camp Collar Striped Linen Shirt
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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