There are summer essentials, and then there’s the camp collar shirt. The style — defined by its chest-baring, lay-flat collar — is perfect for the warmer months, as there aren’t many tops that can match its clean-cut, retro, devil-may-care style. The seasonal must-have comes in many configurations, and it can be difficult to choose which style is best for you.
The best part about these shirts is the ability they give you to express yourself, as they often come available in blisteringly bright colors or adorned with playful patterns that are perfect to wear on vacation. And while camp collars sometimes get a bad rap due to their association with ill-fitting aloha shirts on obnoxious tourists, the truth is that a proper-fitting, well-styled camp collar will look better than almost anything else in the summer. So to help get your summer wardrobe in order, here’s our best camp collar shirts guide.
The Best Camp Collar Shirts
What is a camp collar shirt?
The camp collar shirts (or Cuban, or lounge, etc.) that are popular here in the West were derived from a 19th-century Cuban summer shirt called a Guayabera. Camp collar shirts have a relaxed, straight-cut fit, and (most notably) a single-piece open collar sewn directly onto the shirt. These are popular summer and vacation options due to their comfort, style, and breathability.
What to look for
The best materials for a camp collar shirt are soft and breathable stuff like cotton, linen, Tencel, and silk. You also want a relaxed fit, so if something runs small, definitely get a size up. Lastly, decide if you’re a Hawaiian shirt guy or not, and what styles/patterns you prefer in general.
Camp vs. Cuban vs. lounge…
Yes, there are too many names to count that refer to what is more or less the same kind of shirt. Some variations may be labeled as a Cuban shirt if it’s going for a more classic approach, but whether you call it a Hawaiian or a bowling shirt, the differences really come down to the color and patterns.
How to style a camp collar shirt
Since it’s safe to say that these are casual warm-weather options, linen pants or chino shorts with some slip-ons are always a safe bet. But these shirts can definitely be elevated with unique patterns and style choices.
Everlane The Relaxed Linen Short-Sleeve Shirt
Pros
- Sustainably made
Cons
- Runs a tad small
The Best Linen Shirt: As another brand we look to for wardrobe essentials, Everlane hit the nail on the head with its lightweight camp shirt. The 100% linen top is as breathable as it gets and comes available in a variety of head-turning colors. It’s bound to get wrinkled like most linen pieces, but that’s what gives it a much-needed sense of character. Nevertheless, whichever color you choose will bode well on any day this summer.
Material: 100% linen
Flint and Tinder Cotton Short Sleeve Camp Shirt
Pros
- Wrinkle resistant
Cons
- Specific care required
The Coolest Pattern: Old-school patterns never go out of style when they’re done right, and Flint and Tinder may have perfected the form with this retro take. The Huckberry house brand’s camp shirt is a great vintage choice inspired by the Oregon Trail. And this particular silhouette is crafted from an easygoing blend of cotton and Tencel, assuring you’ll be able to keep cool without sacrificing style in the slightest.
Material: 75% Tencel and 25% cotton
Reyn Spooner Hula Show Camp Shirt
Pros
- Classic Hawaiian shirt style
Cons
- Need to size up
The Best Hawaiian Shirt: Since 1956, Reyn Spooner has been making Hawaiian-inspired garments beloved by many (even George Clooney). That means you’ll love this camp shirt inspired by the famous Kodak Hula Show that started in 1937 (the oldest hula show in Hawaii). This soft shirt is made with 100% Rayon and features a little more room in the chest and the body.
Material: 100% rayon
Alex Mill Camp Shirt in Garment Dyed Seersucker
Pros
- Garment dyed
- Very breathable
Cons
- Runs a tad small
The Comfiest Shirt: The team over at Alex Mill has put such care into making quality clothes that they’ve amassed somewhat of a cult following since beginning in 2012. And this camp shirt from them is the perfect example to demonstrate why, as it’s made with garment-dyed seersucker fabric, making it super soft and lightweight.
Material: 100% cotton
Buck Mason Draped Twill S/S Camp Shirt
Pros
- Garment washed
Cons
- May get a little hot with pants on
The Best Twill Shirt: As per usual, Buck Mason can do very little wrong. The Breeze Cotton Linen Short Sleeve Camp Shirt has a classic silhouette that boasts a cotton and rayon twill blend that’s rounded out with two chest pockets and mother-of-pearl buttons. With clean seams and a subtle sheen, the boutique label’s attention to detail is on full display here.
Material: Cotton/rayon twill blend
Tombolo The Blues Cabana Shirt
Pros
- Can be used as a towel
Cons
- Will shrink, especially if not cared for properly
The Best Beach Shirt: Tombolo loves playing with color, and after seeing this cozy terry cloth piece, we can’t blame the up-and-coming New York-based label. Its color-blocked take on the timeless Cabana silhouette is arguably the most unique choice this guide has to offer. It boasts hints of sky blue, deep navy, and crisp white, each of which come together seamlessly to concoct an undeniably cool garment you won’t want to go without on your next trip to the beach — and seeing as it’s made of moisture-absorbing terry cloth toweling fabric, we mean that literally.
Material: 100% organic cotton terry cloth
OAS Squiggle Cuba Terry Shirt
Pros
- Designed in Stockholm
Cons
- Might be too heavy for some
The Best Terry Fabric Shirt: Inspired by summer trips to Barcelona, Swedish company OAS makes vacation and summer-friendly garments that are built to last and look good for a lifetime. Just like this shirt that’s made with heavyweight terry cotton and comes in a green rip-curl pattern. Additionally, the shirt is made in Portugal and was designed in Sweden.
Material: 100% jacquard-woven terry cotton
Corridor Baja Striped Camp Collar Shirt
Pros
- Lightweight
Cons
- Might be a little short for some
The Sustainable Pick: Anything that comes by way of the New York-based label Corridor is sustainably-made, meaning this shirt is beneficial for everything and everyone. Especially for you since it’s made with lightweight cotton that’s sure to keep you cool all summer long. Made with leisure in mind, this shirt is subtle and comfortable.
Material: 100% cotton
Gitman Vintage Seersucker Cuban Shirt
Pros
- Made in USA
- Seersucker texture
Cons
- Pocket placement might not be for everyone
The Best American-Made Shirt: Like any other piece from Gitman Vintage (or the Gitman Bros in general), this handsome Cuban shirt is crafted in the heart of the U.S.A., assuring top-tier quality through and through. This chic seersucker-textured shirt is another breathable choice that was made with the summer in mind, and it even comes equipped with a pair of hip pockets to store any gear you have on hand. This addition is a nod to its namesake, as the four-pocket Cuban Guayabera shirt is the Latin American ancestor of modern camp collars.
Material: 100% cotton
Todd Snyder Japanese Tipped Rayon Lounge Shirt
Pros
- Material sourced from Toyoshima Mill in Japan
Cons
- $$$
The Best Bowling Shirt: This camp-collar shirt from the Big Apple-based menswear brand Todd Snyder is primarily made from rayon, but it has a touch of polyester to help wick moisture. The majority of this shirt’s material comes from an old Mill in Japan that was founded in 1880, and it’s extremely soft. So whether you want to wear it with shorts, jeans, linen pants, or even capris, there’s no room for error with this bowling-inspired shirt.
Material: 85% rayon and 15% polyester
The Best Summer Pants for Warm Weather
Your new summer-friendly shirt would pair perfectly with some breathable pants. That’s why you should take a look at our best summer pants guide.
