The best men’s linen shirts are a refreshing summer gift, like an Aperol spritz, that you can have in your wardrobe. over here gqWe have long believed that linen shirts are not Only Seasonal – Their texture-heavy vibe and airy feel come in handy year-round in our age of fractious, topsy-turvy weather upheavals – but when the mercury rises and opportunities for layering are slim to none, they’re no longer nice: They’re essential.
It is not just that the physical properties of linen are excellent in summer. The fabric’s unnaturally cozy appearance—those telltale wrinkles included—compliments the season’s cool energy like a fresh orange wedge in your wine glass.
Nowadays, brands are offering entire collections focused on linen (why stop at shirts when there are also linen pants and linen suits?) and hardly a day goes by when we No Find a nubby linen shirt that we’re willing to do anything to get. So to help you flex your flex this season, we’ve collected the best of them below, each examined, tested, and (barely) made to sweat by us.
The Best Men’s Linen Shirts According to GQ
Best Overall: Banana Republic Standard-Fit Linen Shirt
What we want from a linen shirt isn’t crazy, yet it seems so difficult to achieve. We want a shirt that fits well, is roomy enough to let a breeze through (not to mention a breeze), and is made in quality linen. Banana Republic checks all the boxes for a price we can actually get behind, and then adds a bonus detail worth celebrating in the form of a lightly textured pattern. The fit is a classic, slightly roomy one that looks great without being clunky. It has a nice collar that isn’t completely frayed like many other shirts, and the buttons feel and look premium. Even better, it comes in both standard and tall silhouettes.
Best Budget: Uniqlo Premium Linen Shirt
If you’re on a budget, you might be better off turning to Japanese megabrand Uniqlo, which has focused on affordable and timeless basics. Its linen shirts are no exception. They’re made from European linen, have a nice spread collar, and are cut with a slightly tailored but classic silhouette. The length is great for tucking into some dress pants for the office or a wedding, but also short enough to leave open without looking sloppy. Although Uniqlo’s linen has a nice sheen to it, admittedly it doesn’t feel as good as other shirts we’ve tested, but for less than fifty bucks, who’s complaining?
