The 8 Best Terry Cloth Shirts for Looking (and Feeling) Damn Cool

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There are some fabrics, such as twill and silk and even linen, that I encourage you to wear year-round. And there are other fabrics that are exclusively seasonal—terry cloth being one of them. If you're going to wear anything this spring and summer, let it be terry cloth, because, honestly, now is the time.

Not all terry cloth shirts are made alike, but they are all made for having some damn fun in the sun. (What else would a towel-shirt hybrid be for?) Some of the options below are linen, some a traditional cotton; some are plush and towel-like, some more lightweight, with a subtle weave. All of them, however, make damn good summertime pieces. You can dress 'em up for dinner with loafers and nice pants, or dress 'em down for poolside hangs with shorts (or swim trunks!) and flip-flops.

The best terry cloth shirts are well worth having in your arsenal, just like any other summery staple, from sunglasses to SPF. Maybe you want to keep things simple and cool with Tom Ford or Orlebar Brown; maybe you want to have fun with it, with a style from Tombolo or Wellen. No matter the case, one thing is for certain: You want—and need—a terry cloth shirt. You've come to the right place.

Linen French Terry Resort Shirt

From BR comes a versatile, breezy staple shirt. This has buttons all the way down, so you can wear it unbuttoned and with a white tank under for a clean, classic look or buttoned up for something a bit more elevated. No matter which way you choose, though, you're sure to look great—it's hard not to in a shirt like this.

Ravello Terry Polo

A retro-inspired, sustainable terry polo that's so simple, so summery, and so ready for some sun. With the plush, soft fabric, wearing this feels like walking around all day underneath the safety of your favorite beach towel.

Cabana Terry Cloth Short Sleeve Shirt

Summer is the time to bring out your grooviest prints, and this Wellen shirt should definitely be one of them. For hot nights, pair it with khakis and loafers or boat shoes; for even hotter days, wear it unbuttoned with some swim trunks and sandals.

Logo-Embroidered Cotton-Blend Terry Polo Shirt

If you want to spend the season basking not only in the sun but also in total luxury, Tom Ford is the way to go. This terry shirt is elegance down to the very last detail, from the mother-of-pearl buttons to the tonal embroidered monogram.

Terry Toweling Polo Shirt

Leave it to Orlebar Brown to save your wardrobe with a staple terry polo, sans frills and fuss. With a simple chest pocket, this open-collar style gives lounging by the pool a whole new look.

‘¡Gusanito!’ Cabana Shirt

If the sun is shining, don't be afraid to have some fun with your fit. That's what Tombolo is all about—especially this bold yet laidback cabana shirt, designed to keep you feeling and looking absolutely breezy.

Towelling Polo Shirt

Mezcal Short Sleeve Terry Shirt

Life may be a beach, but you can still channel desert vibes. This cactus-printed shirt is soft and breathable, and best of all, it's designed to act as a towel for you when you're back from the surf and sea.

Why You Can Trust Esquire

We're not going to say something is great unless it's actually great. Every product in Esquire's roundups is carefully curated by our fashion and e-commerce teams.

When it comes to terry cloth shirts, you can rest assured that we're hand-selecting styles that we've personally tested, tried, and loved, along with styles that the rest of our stylish colleagues here at Esquire endorse for their own wear. We've had to go through a lot of trial and error, and these terry cloth shirts are the ones that are simply the best.

Every pick on this list (and our other lists!) comes from years of wearing different things, seeing what we love and what we don't, and going from there. No two tastes are the same, and no two men are the same. Your proverbial mileage may vary. But if you're looking for the right place to start, with advice from folks who care (possibly too much!) about this sort of stuff, this is the place to be.

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