The Best Men's Linen Shirts Will Make You Look and Feel Cool All Summer Long

Breeze through summer.

By Gerald Ortiz

June 7, 2021

The best men's linen shirts are the key to unlocking your coolest summer outfits, literally and figuratively. Lightweight, breathable, and cool to the touch, linen is your best bet—just short of dabbling in nudity or pushing your A/C to its limits—at beating the heat in style. And while there are still plenty of top-notch versions primed for lounging beneath a straw umbrella with an icy cocktail resting beneath its own tiny umbrella, the linen shirt universe has expanded of late. 

Beyond the old-school vacation shirts and flowy button-downs you're familiar with, there's now a glut of killer work shirts, tech-y gorp, and laid-back T-shirts out there all made from the breezy stuff. Whether you're looking for something to pair with your go-to shorts or dressy enough for your return to the office, there's a great linen shirt out there for you. 

Oh, and if you're worried about wrinkles—don't. We're in the midst of the hottest, most relaxed time of year, and the naturally rumpled look is all part of linen's rakish charm. Lean in to the wrinkles, and you'll look and feel more stylish than ever. If you're ready to roll into your handsomest, airiest, most ventilated summer ever, your friendly style consultants at GQ Recommends have scouted out all the best men's linen shirts worth scooping on the double. Here are 22 unflappably chill options to take you from a red-hot beach day to a mid-August wedding and back again. 

All products featured on GQ are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

  • 1/22

    Everlane linen short-sleeve standard fit shirt

    You may not be a successful architect with impeccable taste. But when you're wearing this in a pair of well-fitting trousers, who could tell?

  • 2/22

    NN07 Miyagi dot vacation shirt

    Earth tones in the spring and summer can still be totally compelling.

  • 3/22

    Lands' End utility linen shirt

    Workwear vibes.

  • 4/22

    120% Lino linen bowling shirt

    Requisite attire for any hot boy band music video that takes place on the beach.

  • 5/22

    Gap linen t-shirt (was $40, now 20% off)

    No one said your linen shirt had to be a button-up.

  • 6/22

    Smock camp shirt (was $198, now 30% off)

    Instead of a paisley tie, try this underneath a relaxed fit blazer.

  • 7/22

    Our Legacy multicolor linen printed box shirt

    No, you're not microdosing. You're just looking at a very trippy shirt.

  • 8/22

    Uniqlo premium linen long-sleeve popover shirt

    This, cut-off chino shorts, and your choice of slip-on shoes is a winning formula.

  • 9/22

    Theory Birke "Johnny" collar linen blend polo shirt

    Membership to your local yacht club not included.

  • 10/22

    Madewell hemp-cotton denim perfect short-sleeve shirt

    Hemp is a flax cousin of linen with much of the same properties. More importantly: it looks sick as a denim shirt.

  • 11/22

    J.Crew Baird McNutt Irish slim fit untucked long-sleeve button-down shirt

    The broad vertical stripes give this a classic '90s vibe.

  • 12/22

    Vilebrequin Pyramid solid linen jersey polo

    Straight from the Jordan Belfort mood board.

  • 13/22

    and wander dry linen blend short sleeve button-up shirt

    Linen also comes in gorp.

  • 14/22

    Alex Crane sun linen tee

    Your coolest plain white tee just got cooler.

  • 15/22

    Universal Works short sleeve linen Kyoto workshirt

    Half shirt, half noragi, all linen.

  • 16/22

    Folk Olio-print linen-blend canvas shirt

    Look at this shirt and tell us what you see.

  • 17/22

    Blluemade "Noguchi" shirt

    Does your A/C come with pockets? We didn't think so.

  • 18/22

    ts(s) plaid glen cardigan shirt (was $250, now 34% off)

    The style swerve you definitely did not see coming.

  • 19/22

    Todd Snyder Irish linen camp collar short sleeve shirt

    Salmon is supposed to be good for you.

  • 20/22

    Nanushka "Alain" printed linen-blend shirt

    Caution: the traditional Javanese Batik printing of this sick shirt might cause you to think you're better than everyone else.

  • 21/22

    Jacquemus short-sleeved checked linen shirt

    One way to make a linen shirt even breezier? Make it oversized.

  • 22/22

    Alanui western gingham linen shirt (was $605, now 40% off)

    Cowboys gotta keep cool, too, ya know.

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