Summer is fast approaching which means three things – BBQs, blazing hot sun, and uncomfortable amounts of sweat. So what's a stylish man to do? Sacrifice his style to satisfy his sweat glands?
There's an easier solution. Enter the stylish summer shirt for men – the perfect solution to sweaty style sins.
Today we're talking about the top seven casual men's summer shirts that'll make you look amazing. We'll be covering:
- Linen Shirts
- Broadcloth and Poplin Shirts
- Bold Patterned Shirts
- Short-Sleeve Shirts
- Lightweight Chambray Shirts
- Classic Polo Shirts
- Band Collar Shirts
#1 Linen Shirts
Linen has a long history. The ancient Mesopotamians used it to denote men of status. It was even used as a currency in Ancient Egypt due to its perceived value.
But what is it?
Linen is a light and breathable fabric made from the fibers of the flax plant. The flax is commonly hand-harvested to gather the longest fibers possible.
Just like the Ancients, modern men love it for its utility in hot weather.
Choose a simple design with no modifications, such as epaulets or pockets.
The reasons for this are practical; linen is notoriously prone to wrinkles. Lighter weaves might fold if you so much as stare intensely.
Pro Tip: The darker the color – the less noticeable those wrinkles will be. Furthermore, a simple shirt will be easier to iron and maintain.
Nevertheless, men's summer shirts made with linen are a timeless and stylish way to stay fresh under the sun.
Today's article is sponsored by Collars & Co, whose mission is to provide men and women with high-quality clothing that looks great and feels amazing.
Collars & Co sell revolutionary structured-collar polo tops: providing men with the formality of a dress shirt and the comfort and fit of a polo shirt. What could be better?
#2 Broadcloth And Poplin Shirts
First things first – what are broadcloth and poplin shirts?
Trick question – they're the same (but we'll call it broadcloth).
It's a cotton fabric whose thread weave ranges from 50 singles to 140 (or more) doubles.
Broadcloth is the single most versatile fabric out there, as it appears on both formal and casual menswear.
Overview Of Checked Patterns:
Now let's talk about patterns. The summer is a great time to experiment with checked patterns.
- Gingham is an excellent way to start – it's famous for casual shirts. The pattern consists of tightly-crossing lines of various colors.
- Madras is a little wilder and ultra-casual, with unlimited combinations of colors.
- Tartan originates from Scotland in the 1700s and resembles the iconic kilt. Though it's usually made for wool and flannel, it's also commonly found on cotton.
- Tattersall is a tamer pattern of vertical and horizontal lines, usually in two colors on a light background.
What about colors? Stick with white on the background, but experiment with pastel colors on the stripes.
Yellows and blues are also safe summer-themed colors to wear with these summer men's shirts.
#3 Bold-Patterned Shirts
The summer months are the time to be aggressive when it comes to patterns. Try these to stand out from the crowd:
- Paisley was originally a Zoroastrian motif from the Persian-Sasanian Empire. Nowadays, it's common on ties and pocket squares. Who says it can't be on a shirt too?
- Floral patterns were first invented by the Chinese, who printed Peony flowers on garments. These patterns are pretty common in ultra-casual menswear.
Balance bold patterns with subtle color contrasts, such as two different shades of gray or blue.
Pairing paisley or florals with solid dark-colored trousers will make a slim and monochromatic look.
#4 Short-Sleeved Button-Down
Shirts with short sleeves are generally great for casual wear, but they're incredibly effective as summer shirts.
Here are a few guidelines to look your best:
- Don't tuck it in. It's meant to be casual.
- Don't wear a necktie with it, or you'll look like you work in a cubicle.
- Wear with solid-color pants if you're going for patterns.
- Roll up the sleeves one or two turns to reveal your upper arm muscles
Short-sleeved summer shirts are ideal in broadcloth or linen and suit more muscular men. However, those with a slimmer build can do just as well if you pay attention to the fit.
The shoulder seams shouldn't extend beyond the bone at the end of your shoulder where the arm begins.
As far as width is concerned, you shouldn't be able to pinch more than a half-inch of fabric.
The length should fall roughly between your shoulder and elbow.
#5 Lightweight Chambray Shirts
Like broadcloth, chambray is perfect for the summer. It's a linen-finished cloth with a white weft and colored warp, making a faintly streaky in appearance.
Chambray has a history dating back to the French town of Cambrai in the mid-1500s.
The original “cambric” was a linen fabric used for everything from handkerchiefs to shirts. It started being referred to as Chambray by the British in the 19th century.
Chambray is often confused with men's denim shirts, but the former uses a plain weave construction and is significantly lighter and breathable.
Like denim, however, it traditionally comes in various hues of blue. It's a solid choice for a men's summer shirt.
#6 Classic Polo Shirt
You'd be hard-pressed to find a man who isn't familiar with Polo shirts.
This widespread garment goes back to the 19th century British Raj, when army officers started using it as a uniform to play the sport from which it derives its name.
The polo is a collared shirt with only two or three buttons (though more are common on golf-style shirts). They come in short and long-sleeved variants, and the short sleeves are ideal for men's summer shirts.
100% cotton is the staple, but they're commonly sold with synthetic fibers.
What about length? The bottom shouldn't go more than halfway down your fly and back pocket and shouldn't be higher than your belt.
The shorter sleeves should run halfway to two-thirds of the way down your biceps.
It's meant to be untucked, but you can always tuck it in with chinos for a slightly dressier look.
#7 Band Collar Shirts
When it comes to easy-going men's summer shirts, none encapsulate the classy beachside gentleman quite like a band collar.
This shirt surrounds the neck with a standing collar which doesn't turn over into a collar “cape.” It usually extends no more than two inches so as not to jab into the wearer's neck.
Combine the band collar style with linen fabric for the ultimate summer shirt. Wear with a pair of chino shorts and boat shoes for a classic and timeless hot weather look.
For more tips on wearing a dress shirt – regardless of season – check out my article on ten ways to look great in a dress shirt.
FAQs
Why Wear A Summer Shirt?
Summer shirts are a great way to prevent unsightly sweat - they're typically cooler and more breathable than their winter counterparts.
What Material Is Best For Summer?
That Depends. Linen is probably the coolest and most breathable option when it comes to men's summer shirts. However, a cotton short sleeve button-down would be a better bet in formal/office environments.
Can You Wear Summer Shirts All Year Round?
Absolutely. You can always layer summer shirts with a jacket or coat to achieve different looks throughout the year. However, be careful - you don't want to catch a cold! Make sure you're staying warm and not sacrificing comfort for style.
See the video below: How To Dress Sharp In Hot Weather (Like An Italian)
The post Casual Summer Shirts Every Man Should Own appeared first on Real Men Real Style.
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