5 Best Summer Shirts for Men (2026)
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Learn More. Summer is right around the corner. You want to look stylish but also stay cool, and many times these can be at odds with one another. Here are the 6 best summer shirts for men that will have you looking sharp and feeling cool at the same time this summer.
When choosing an ideal summer shirt, you really want to consider two main things: fabric and fit.
Fabric
For fabrics, go for something lightweight and breathable like linen or cotton. Linen is ideal thanks to its excellent breathability and moisture-wicking ability.
For cotton, pay attention to the weave and look for seersucker, which has a slightly bumpy, crinkled (not wrinkled) texture that improves airflow around your body.
If you’re not a fan of how linen wrinkles, seersucker is a great alternative, offering similar breathability while keeping wrinkles to a minimum.
Fit
The ideal summer shirt should fit roomy around your body while still looking modern and streamlined. You want to avoid anything too boxy or oversized, and instead go for a relaxed fit.
1. Cabana Shirt
If you’re going on vacation and want to be the best-dressed guy, you should have a couple of cabana shirts in your rotation. They’re designed for relaxed settings, but still look effortlessly cool and sharp.
I especially like this sand textured stripe colour—it has a vintage feel, but with a modern fit that’s tailored yet still relaxed, which suits the style of the shirt perfectly. This option from Bonobos is made from a breathable, wrinkle-resistant cotton-linen blend.
Personally, I like pairing a well-fitted cabana shirt with lightweight chinos or dress pants for a sharp, unique look. It works especially well for evening dinners and summer parties.
2. Polo
Polo shirts are a summer staple thanks to their design—short sleeves, an open collar, and a relaxed fit, all of which help keep you cool.
But not all polo shirts are made equal. Most have a rough, textured fabric that can come across as cheap. Instead, you want to choose ones with a more refined fabric and drape.
I’ve been wearing the Banana Republic Luxury Touch polos for over 10 years now, and they still stand out for how sharp they look while keeping you comfortable in the heat.
The main standout is the fabric, which feels more like silk than traditional cotton and offers excellent breathability. Unlike most polos, which can have a rougher texture and feel more casual, these have a subtle sheen that makes them look more polished and easier to dress up. You can pair them with chinos or khakis for a clean business casual look—ideal for the office, a summer date, or dinner.
They also come in a wide range of colours, so it’s worth having a few in rotation for summer.
3. Henley
If you were to ask me what the sexiest shirt a guy can wear, I’d say it has to be the henley. Maybe it’s the open collar with a few buttons undone that subtly broadens the shoulders and chest—I’m not entirely sure. What I do know is that henleys work incredibly well for summer.
Instead of looking like every other guy in a plain T-shirt, a henley gives you a more masculine, elevated look while still staying casual. Most men don’t wear them, which is exactly why they stand out.
Honestly, I don’t know why, because henleys are more flattering for a man’s physique. They enhance your neck, chest, and shoulders, and the button placket adds a slightly more refined touch. But enough of me glazing henleys.
You can wear henleys the same way you’d wear a T-shirt. Personally, I prefer long-sleeve henleys over short-sleeved ones because I find them more stylish, especially with the sleeves rolled up.
One of my favourites is this henley from Paige. It’s made from a premium linen jersey that’s soft and incredibly breathable. The fit is also ideal—modern, but still relaxed enough for warm weather.
4. Button Down Shirts
Not all button down shirts work well in the hot weather. So what should you look for in a button-down shirt for summer? First, focus on fabric. Go for linen or cotton seersucker—both are lightweight, breathable, and keep you feeling cool in the heat.
The second thing is fit. Look for a shirt that’s relaxed but still modern, allowing air to flow while keeping you comfortable without looking sloppy.
Bonobos is my go-to brand when I’m looking for high-quality button-down shirts. Their shirts come in two fits—slim and standard—as well as two length options: short (for wearing untucked) and regular.
My first recommendation is the Everyday Linen Shirt from Bonobos. It’s made from 100% premium linen, which feels airy and cool on the skin, even in hot weather. The button-down collar also makes it easy to dress up or down.
The fit is excellent—modern, but still roomy enough to allow airflow and keep you comfortable. You can wear it with shorts for an elevated casual look at the beach or around town, or pair it with khakis or chinos for a sharper, business casual outfit that works well for lunches, dinners, or casual office settings.
If you want to avoid wrinkles, The Everyday (seersucker) shirt is a great alternative. It’s made from a textured cotton fabric that naturally resists wrinkles while maintaining strong breathability.
This version from Bonobos is a great option, featuring a stretch seersucker fabric that keeps you cool while also allowing for better mobility. Like the linen version, it comes in both slim and standard fits, as well as short and regular lengths.
Both shirts are available in a wide range of colours, so they’re easy to add into your summer rotation.
5. T-Shirts
Honestly, I didn’t even have to include this on the list because 99% of men wear T-shirts during the summer. But that doesn’t mean they’re wearing the right type.
Most guys default to basic tees, and if you want to stand out, you should look for T-shirts made from high-quality fabrics that feel and look premium.
Cheaper T-shirts made from cotton-polyester blends tend to be heavier and less breathable. Instead, look for premium options made from pima or supima cotton, or cotton-elastane blends. Linen is also a great option, offering excellent breathability and texture.
These fabrics not only feel better but also look more refined than standard tees. Since T-shirts are casual, you can also experiment with subtle patterns like stripes or even polka dots. During the day, lighter pastel colours work well, while darker tones are better for the evening.
Fit is just as important. If your T-shirt doesn’t fit properly, it won’t look good—no matter how premium the material is or how much you spent on it. It should fit well through the chest, fall straight through the torso, and lightly hug the sleeves.
One brand that consistently gets this right is Robert Barakett. Their T-shirts are made from 100% American-grown pima cotton, known for its exceptional softness and luxurious feel while still being durable and retaining its colour and shape wash after wash.
If you’re going to wear a T-shirt like every other man, make sure it’s one that helps you stand out—in a good way.
Final Thoughts
I hope you enjoyed this list of the best summer shirts for men. We covered shirt styles that work for everything from laid-back occasions like beach days and vacations to more dressed-up settings like dates and business casual events. Let me know which styles are your favourites and how you like to style them. Until then, dress sharp!
Want more men’s summer style?
Check out:
