Opting for a short-sleeve button-down shirt can be a bit of a balancing act. “Most options hit on the spectrum somewhere between Dwight Schrute and the guy who did strange experiments with bugs as a kid,” says James Harris, co-host of the podcast Throwing Fits. To find some good-looking alternatives, I talked to 14 stylish men about their favorites, and here’s what I gleaned: Looser, roomier fits and boxier cuts are in, camp collars are still a go-to option, bold is better, and — to that end — handcrafted details, like embroidery or other needlework, can really make a shirt stand out.
Besides classic short-sleeve button-downs, I’ve also included recommendations for button-ups and popovers on this list. Summer-weight fabrics such as cotton, linen, silk, rayon, and seersucker help you stay dry and cool. As you’ll see, many of the recommendations I got were in the over-$150 range, so I set out to find some shirts that are stylish yet still affordable and came up with a few under $150 and one under $50.
Christophe Lemaire’s collections for Uniqlo U each season almost always offer something of interest without veering into overly trendy territory. This season, I’m digging this oversize short-sleeve button-down. The silhouette is airy and boxy and feels vacation-appropriate, and the subtle brown micro-check pattern, while not too summery, suits my understated style.
Writer Brett F. Braley-Palko switched years ago to wearing almost exclusively linen in the summer months. But not all linen is created equal: “J.Crew’s Baird McNutt shirts utilize a breathable, lightweight Irish linen that adds a subtle charm to any outfit I’m throwing on,” he says. And if, like Braley-Palko, you prefer a less roomy fit, this is a good option: “The cut is tailored enough to avoid looking boxy while comfortable enough to wear all season long.”
For Bijan Shahvali of Brooklyn-based Intramural, “Short-sleeve shirts might be the hardest clothing items to buy, for me at least.” But that’s because he abides by a set of strict guidelines. “First rule of short-sleeve shirts: no button-down collars, ever. Secondly, it should fit comfortably with sleeves that aren’t too tight. I prefer wider, boxier cuts in the body and roomier sleeves.” He says, “Following these rules helps with proper proportion and prevents a dweebish appearance.” This striped button-up from Carhartt WIP satisfies all his requirements.
Illustrator Loren Fizer says this shirt from Buck Mason “feels like summer.” Since he has a bit of a shorter torso, he says, “I really enjoy its boxy cut, and it’s hard to find simple items at the desired length I need.” Fizer also loves the fabric: “It’s soft to the touch with a slightly silky texture, and the white color complements any pair of linen pants.” To maintain the shirt’s proportions and extend its life, he always air dries it after washing it.
“I love Another Aspect’s shirting,” says photographer Chris Fenimore. “The Danish brand is known for designing the best updated classics, and I have one of their shirts in raw silk that sees heavy rotation every summer.” This linen version comes in two neutral stripes as well as a solid sand color. “The collar, the sleeve and back lengths, and overall cut are all perfect,” Fenimore says. “Goes well with anything and makes a pair of shorts feel a bit more dressed up.”
Menswear designer Grayson Thornberry likes Todd Snyder’s short-sleeve camp collar shirts: “They’re cropped, boxy, and a flattering cut for most men.”
Harris is a fan of the Scandinavian brand Mfpen, which makes the kind of shirts he finds himself constantly reaching for in the warmer months. “While the shirt may seem ordinary at first glance,” says Harris, it’s one of the most versatile and easy to style from his closet: “I like to wear the shirt casually over swim trunks at the beach or paired with trousers on a hot wedding dance floor.”
Cale Darrell, who sells clothing through his vintage shop Good Form in Chicago and prefers vintage styles for himself, says, “My go-to for warmer weather is a classic short-sleeve three-button popover.” He likes mixing these into both casual and dressed-up looks. This one from Jake’s London is on his wishlist.
[Editor’s note: Jake’s lists all prices in pounds sterling, so the price shown is an approximate conversion in U.S. dollars.]
“3Sixteen nailed down the fit with this short-sleeved shirt,” says Prasan Shah of the clothing brand Original Madras Trading Company. He loves the shorter cut, which he wears open or buttoned over a T-shirt. “The woven jacquard geometric design is also sophisticated in a way that makes it versatile enough for different day and evening occasions when worn with chino shorts or linen trousers,” Shah says.
When it comes to short-sleeve shirts, Chris Echevarria, founder of Blackstock & Weber and Academy by Chris Echevarria, is a Gitman Vintage loyalist. “The fit is outstanding, and they’re built to last a lifetime. I still occasionally wear some from my college days,” he says. “They have a really nice navy seersucker over-dye version on their site I’ve been meaning to cop,” and “the chalk buttons and locker loop are two little details that make it perfect.”
With its combination of striped patterns, “This shirt reminds me of my grandpa’s shirts Frankensteined together,” says Vincent Morelli, founder of Cleveland-based restaurant Cent’s Pizza “You can wear it to the beach or church if you’re into that. I love the short and boxy fit.”
Andrew Chen, the co-founder of clothing brand 3Sixteen, has a tradition of buying new short-sleeve shirts before going on vacation. He says, “Because of this, I’ve assembled a decent arsenal of Japanese rayon shirts now,” — like this colorful one from Flat Head. For his upcoming trip to the Amalfi Coast, “I’ll be breaking this one out and wearing it severely unbuttoned because of how the fabric flows and drapes.”
“Jude Law in The Talented Mr. Ripley continues to serve as a summer style icon,” says Nico Lazaro, the editorial manager for Buck Mason and writer of the newsletter The Bengal Stripe. He found a brand that replicated one of the shirts from the movie. “The Anzio knit from Scott Fraser is light and breathable, and the versatile colorway is easy to dress up or down,” Lazaro says. “In warmer weather, I still like the coverage full sleeves provide, but if I’m going with a short-sleeve shirt, I want one that has the panache to stand on its own and still look nice under a jacket in the evenings.”
[Editor’s note: Scott Fraser Collection lists all prices in pounds sterling, so the price shown is an approximate conversion in U.S. dollars.]
“A loose short-sleeved camp shirt is all I need for spring,” says art director Ruben Hughes. Officine Générale makes his favorites in a range of fabrics, textured weaves, and patterns: “I opt for chambray for a casual day around town, poplin for the office, or print for when I’m on holiday. Its versatility coupled with iconic design makes it a no-brainer for me.”
Timothy Grindle, co-founder of Boulder-based menswear store Canoe Club, loves the Jaipur-based label Harago. They use unique, handmade fabrics, and some garments, like this one, have embroidered touches similar to what you might find in designs by Bode and Samuel Zelig. The shirts are “so interesting but also have this great nostalgic feeling,” Grindle says. And with this particular shirt, “the intricate print is such an easy way to get a striking look in warmer weather without having tons of layers on.”
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