Camp Collar Shirts Are the Coolest Style to Wear This Summer

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FOR MEN'S summer wardrobe essentials, there’s perhaps no staple that’s as ready for all those balmy days as a camp collar shirt. Also known as a Cuban collar shirt, these laid-back, easy-to-wear button-up short-sleeve shirts make an impression through their signature collar that lays flat against your upper chest to create a V-shaped neckline. Truly, the best camp shirts are as ready for vacation as they're for daily life.

Even though they carry a degree of nonchalance—which is part of what makes them so appealing—camp collars are so versatile that it’s almost impossible to imagine how not to wear them. And thanks to their lightweight fabrics like linen, silk, and cotton—coupled with that flat, open collar—they’re uncomplicated and untucked, extra airy and uber-cozy even on a scorching day. So if you want to survive summer’s sizzling day, camp collar shirts are a must for your rotation.

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What’s more, popping on a camp collar shirt when it’s sweltering and humid is a stylish choice too. The 21 best Cuban collar shirts we’ve pulled together below prove that. Suitable for semi-formal as well as semi-casual occasions, sport these 21 best camp shirts how you wish, and be prepared to feel fresh and look darn good this summer.

How to Wear a Camp Collar Shirt

Fit: Part of the casual sartorial breed, even a true-to-size camp collar shirt can look a bit relaxed-fitting and oversized, but that’s okay—that’s in fact the vibe you want to sport. However, if you’ve got a brawny build, it’s also good to size up for camp shirts. After all, as summer shirts, you’ll want some room for the air and breathing.

Color/Pattern: Solid tone is always a, well, solid choice for any day, anywhere. However, as summer shirts, you’re allowed to go wild and creative with prints and patterns—so long as they make sense. Tropical-inspired or floral prints are a failsafe for more casual occasions like vacationing. Subtle textures work for more elevated times.

Bottoms: Pairing camp shirts with any sort of summer shorts—chinos, denim if the color works, athletic, and even swim trunks—can’t go wrong. But don’t go tucking them in your shorts unless you’ve got the build to show off. Pants, on the other hand, also work well with camp shirts because of the contrast—“boxy relaxed top over slender fitted bottoms” kind of contrast. In fact, with pants, you can tuck your Cuban collar shirts. Whether it’s chinos, jeans, or dress trousers, so long they work well in tones, they’ll work. However, be mindful of sweat shorts and sweatpants: if they look way too lounge-y and fail to harmonize in hues, they’ll look totally out of place with your camp collar top.

Green Madras Camp Collar Shirt

For going out, vacationing, or attending a summer beach party, this camp shirt’s madras pattern was designed to ante up your panache. Get ready to seriously upgrade your summer wardrobe with this cut-to-perfection shirt that’s effortlessly stylish and cool for the warmer vibes.

Regular Fit Textured-Weave Resort Shirt

Staying fashionable and sweat-free need not clean you out. H&M’s textured-weave camp collar shirt is a standout for the sunny climates. And yes, now’s the time to book that resort stay in the islands.

Wornwell S/S Camp Shirt

A laid-back stylish summer shirt with a classic feel is easy to come by, thanks to Buck Mason. Lightweight and relaxed, the brand's camp collar also features mother of pearl buttons and a single spade chest pocket.

Riviera Cabana Terry Shirt

Can the camp collar shirt style get even cozier than it is? Yes, especially when it's made from a towel-like Terry cloth that you usually rub yourself dry with after a shower. Even with its groovy retro print, this laid-back summer shirt can make every day feel like a poolside party.

Desert Camp Shirt

We can already picture ourselves in sun-soaked spots or a formal beach dinner thanks to this grounded striped shirt with a lapel collar. Cut from breathable material in a looser fit, the piece by Banana Republic is built to be breezy.

Short-Sleeve Slub Cotton Camp-Collar Shirt In Print

For those who want to sport camp collars without looking like they’re sporting camp collars, J.Crew’s polka dots and plaids have a modicum of sophistication that’ll even out a camp shirt’s casualness.

Camp Collar Summer Linen-Blend Embroidered Shirt

This isn’t your average linen shirt. It’s made using top-quality linen that is soft, light, airy, and not clingy at all no matter how you sweat. The resort-style camp collar in ultra-versatile green comes in a standard and tall fit and has an intricate embroidery pattern.

Solid Camp Shirt

Don’t let grabbing a shirt of this kind in a solid tone dissuade you. It’ll make for a seamless vacation dinner look or a summer going-out fit—even after a long day of lounging outdoors when it’s roasting out. Plus, the crisp cotton sateen here feels divine.

Green & White Fine Stripe Camp Shirt

With stripes, you can never go wrong. They're the perfect touch to a solid piece. Case in point, the green and white stripes on this cool black camp shirt from Bather packs a punch—melding minimalism and style.

The Casablanca Camp Shirt

Old-school camp shirts were billowy button-ups made for post-retirement lounging. Fair Harbor's Casablanca top fixes all that. Its cut is slim, like a summer dress shirt, yet lightweight for hot poolside days. Its UPF 30 fabric helps fight sunburn.

The Good Earth Cotton® Camp Shirt

Fabricated in a traceable regenerative cotton—the world’s only climate-positive cotton—this pique knit shirt minimizes its global footprint, offers a relaxed-shape and pairs well with warmer summer nights.

Tommy Jeans Tropical Print Camp Shirt

For summer days when you want a shirt that’s easy to throw on but still makes a statement, go for a print that can be described just as such. Tommy Jeans’ tropical-inspired patterns—from flowers to palm trees—are just as summer-ready as your Hawaiian shirts.

The Brisa Linen Shirt — Spanish Rose

Whether you're yachting in Capri or spending the weekend in the Hamptons alongside your best pals, this camp shirt with gardenia floral embroidery will undoubtedly turn heads. It’s casual and versatile, which is what your summer needs.

Solid Camp Collar Stretch Cotton Shirt

Everything about it screams dressy and professional-looking, except its camp collar which makes it so that it’s meant to be worn untucked and in a business causal outfit. With stretch for all-day comfort, you can wear it to the office too.

Eren Tie Dye Bandana Print Short Sleeve Button-Up Camp Shirt

It's always nice to switch things up a bit—and add a twist. The bandana print camp shirt takes it up a notch, while still inviting in that soft, cool breeze of a warm summer's day.

Orange Diamond Camp Collar Shirt

If you’re not afraid to stand out, or when the occasion really calls for standing out, this boldly designed, impeccably tailored camp shirt will usher you into the center of all attention while draping cozily over you.

Relaxed-Fit Shirt In Printed Satin

Boss is bringing something different to the equation with an abstract summery print for their relaxed camp shirt.

Armani Exchange Casual Shirt

We’re all for bold and brash designs if that’s your vibe, but if it’s not, you can still get on board with vibrant prints by opting for Armani's camp collar that dials down the blooms. Better yet, this shirt can be dressed up or down—keeping you in your comfort zone all summer long.

Dipe Dye SS - Midnight

Tis the season for tie-dye. To our favorite hippies, here is just the thing for your summer. It’s not only a stunning design handmade in India—it's also crafted responsibly.

Camp Collar Shirt With Piping

Designed to hug you like your favorite sweater, YONY takes on the classic bowling shirt in a bold way with ivory contrast piping. And trust us, it's exactly what your summer wardrobe rotation calls for.

The Serra Camp Shirt In Maya

This warm-weather-friendly camp collar shirt constructed in naturally breathable and textured linen by Nashville-based retailer Imogene and Willie is ideal for anywhere and all-the-time wear. Achieving summer cool has never been so effortless.

Why Trust Us?

Men's Health fashion director Ted Stafford is a certified menswear veteran, and has more than 30 years of experience in men's fashion. He was previously the fashion director at GQ. For this story, he personally tested over 100 camp collar shirts in our New York City fashion closet, and has gone on over 50 market appointments to find the best selection from brands including Todd Snyder, Tommy Hilfiger, and Armani.

How We Selected

For hands-on testing, Men's Health editors and writers have tried and worn a variety of camp collar shirts to review them. For instance, we wore Todd Snyder's Camp collar shirt to vacation and happy hours, or Buck Mason's Wornwell camp shirt to go around downtown and in the office, or Banana Republic's Desert camp shirt on summer’s hottest days. Then we evaluated quality, style, pattern, fit, and breeziness. Lastly, we narrowed down our selection to include a variety of fabrics, patterns, and price points. In addition, editors also considered camp collar shirts with high ratings from e-commerce sites we trust.

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