These Silk Shirts Are the Coolest Way to Dress up This Summer

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Here us out: you should add some silk to your summer shirt collection. Sure, old school men's silk shirts look a scotch tacky, but if styled correctly, they're one of the best ways to look and feel cool this summer. Today's best men's silk shirts range from vibrant camp collar shirts to sophisticated dark polo shirts, and they all have a super luxe feel. In other words: there are plenty of men's silk shirts to fit into any guy's wardrobe.

The one catch with silk is that it can get pretty pricey. Thankfully budget-conscious menswear brands have been blending silk with other lightweight, synthetic fabrics to bring the price down. Rayon, also called viscose, is an artificial textile that has been used to replace silk since the 1950s. You are probably most familiar with this fabric from Hawaiian shirts, which are traditionally made from rayon. Then there is Tencel, which is a recently developed textile made from wood pulp. Both closely mimic the feel of silk while providing the added bonus of being vegan. So whether you go synthetic or the real deal, the best men's silk shirts are a warm weather staple to dress up all your looks.

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Silk Jacquard S/S Camp Shirt

Buck Mason made the perfect short sleeve shirt to dive into silk for the first time. A good old fashioned short sleeve camp collar looks great with just about everything, and the jacquard weaving make for a really nice texture. Our editors found both the navy and white versions to be perfect go-to top all summer long.

Horton Silk

Knitted polo shirts are having a moment this summer, and Olebar Brown makes one of our absolute favorites. Even though this silk shirt is solid white, the knit pattern, collar, and fit make it a standout piece. Wear it over your favorite summer pants or swim trunks.

Glass Beach Palms Print Silk Short Sleeve Button-Up Shirt

Tommy Bahama is always a dependable source for affordable Hawaiian shirts. The brand has so many to choose from, but we settled on this watercolor-inspired motif, since it plays nice with bright summer pants and shorts.

Camp-Collar Striped Cotton-Blend Seersucker Shirt

Seersucker is already an essential summer shirt fabric, but adding 88% silk to the mix makes takes it to a whole new level. Not only is the fabric soft, but we love the boxy fit of this shirt with chinos or short-shorts.

Read more: Best Seersucker Suits

Silk Relaxed Fit Beach Shirt

In a brilliant move, Havana Breeze blended silk with viscose to keep it affordable (but still classy looking). The result is a low key short sleeve button down with a 100% silk look and feel for a super cheap price. You really can wear this shirt to work, on vacation, nights out, or just lounging around.

Camp-Collar Floral-Print Silk Shirt

Karu Research used a "raw silk" texture for this boxy camp collar shirt, which is extra soft to the touch. Not only is it 100% silk, but the pattern was hand-died using block print. Our editors loved wearing this with jeans because the denim blue made the colors of the shirt pop.

Cotton Silk Short Sleeve Full Placket Riviera Polo

For a work ready silk shirt, Todd Snyder is always a good option. This 55% silk, 45% cotton blend is fir for the office or a backyard BBQ. Our favorite benefit to blending silk evenly with cotton is that it makes the shirt machine washable. Low maintenance, high style.

Mar di Gras (French Blue)

There aren't many companies out there having as much fun with retro silk shirt designs as Tombolo. Straight out of a 1960s surf film, this nautical themed-top will be your new favorite party shirt. We've received plenty of compliments wearing it.

Rino Ribbed Cotton and Silk-Blend Polo Shirt

Frescobol Carioca went retro in the classiest way with a wide ribbed knit and an XL collar on this polo, which looks great under your favorite summer blazer. We love that it's a great alternative to a standard button down shirt for hot summer events.

Pampa Pony Printed Silk Crepe de Chine Shirt

Bode doesn't do anything subtle, which is why silk is perfect fabric for the New York brand. The multicolor border along the collar, placket, and waist is based on the fringe of a decorative carpet.

Camp Collar Silky Button-Up Shirt

A&F used polyster to create a silk-like shirt that's affordable, and features a relaxed, breezy fit.

Silk Resort Shirt

Getting a 100% silk shirt for under $200 is a great steal. Banana Republic sweetened the deal with an indigo tie dye finish that feels on trend.

100% Silk Twill Short Sleeve Camp Shirt

Quince offers great deals on top quality products like a 100% silk button down for on $70. With a camp collar and slightly boxy fit, this shirt as as versatile as it gets. We're partial to the blue. but the olive and white styles are great too.

Casablanca Tennis Club Short Sleeve Silk Camp Shirt

The Casablanca Tennis Club might not be a real place but the we love this shirt all the same. It's the rainbow ring detailing on the sleeves, waist, collar and pocket that make this shirt so much fun.

Silk and Cotton-Blend Polo Shirt

Club Monaco upgraded a standard issue knit polo by adding 55% silk to the mix. We like this one because it's a subtle silk shirt that looks great with just about any menswear staple.

Botanical Camp Collar Shirt in Blue

Tencel is a great silk alternative, because it is plant based. Todd Snyder did such a bang-up job with this floral camp collar shirt that feels just as luxurious as real silk.

Silk Leaf-Print Camp Shirt

A leafy black and white print adds texture to your outfit without going too bold. We love this downplayed take on a silk Aloha shirt.

Textured Knit Regular Fit Polo Shirt

The cotton, nylon, and silk blend in this shirt balances the softness of silk with the durability of cotton and nylon. We love it for the check board texture and the stretchy, athletic fit.

Riviera Cabana Shirt

Bonobos is another great source for 100% tencel silk-alternative shirts. Quite a few options in colors and patterns are available in the versatile Riviera Cabana Shirt. We honestly found it hard to not stock up on the whole collection.

Camp Collar 90s Bowling Shirt

This 90s style rayon bowling shirt looks like you snagged some vintage shop gold. It is perfect for a casual night out with some friends, whether you go bowling or not.

How to Wear Silk Shirts

Our editors like to keep it simple when building outfits with silk shirts. Start with a pair of khaki pants or chino shorts, maybe even jeans, and then finish it off with a dressy shoe like a loafer or leather sneaker. Silk shirts for men are statement pieces that need more subtile accessories to ground the look. Plus you’re most frequently going to wear them when it is hot out so you won’t want layers.

Do Men Still Wear Silk Shirts?

Men definitely still wear silk shirts. The fabric has lived in the luxury space for a long time now—think the “quiet luxury”of Succession—but the remarkable textile has expanded back into all levels of menswear in recent years. Yes, 100% silk shirts are still pricey, but silk-alternatives and blends have made the feel and look accessible to anyone.

Direct to consumer brands are also making 100% silk shirts more affordable. Once you try on that supple feel and smooth look, you’ll never go back. Which is why silk has never really gone out of men's fashion.

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