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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Lifestyle
Peter Bevan

Best linen shirts for men for a relaxed look

You can’t go wrong with a quality linen shirt.

It’s a magical fabric. With a low thread count and the ability to wick away excess sweat and regulate temperature, it’s perfect for those who are prone to under-arm patches - and its antibacterial qualities mean it won’t cause odour either.

There’s one catch, though - no matter how much you steam (good luck!) or iron it, it’s impossible to achieve creaseless perfection. So, instead of stressing about looking dishevelled, we’d recommend embracing the slightly crumpled finish to add to your relaxed look. Beachside nonchalance at its finest.

When it comes to styling, you’ve got a few options. In the spring, pair with straight-leg jeans and a blazer to nail a smart-casual brief. When the mercury starts to rise, though, it’s time to drop the extra layers. For a casual affair, you could size up and pair it with little shorts for a louche look à la Call Me By Your Name. Or, if you prefer a more formal take, use Sean Connery’s wardrobe in Thunderball as your mood board. He wears linen with tailored shorts and trousers throughout - not forgetting the Rolex Submariner, naturally.

(United Artists)

To lean into the laid-back look, it’s pure linen that should be on your wishlist. Or if you’re after a breathable shirt to wear with tailoring, opt for a cotton blend which isn’t quite as prone to creases.

The good news? The sheer volume out there means you’re spoilt for choice. Whichever you decide on, we’re sure it will make an appearance in your outfit rotation for many summers to come.

Keep scrolling for the best.

Long sleeved

Asket The Linen Shirt

Transparent brand Asket’s linen shirt comes in six colours and is made using 100 per cent linen, making it a natural choice for a relaxed look. Not only is it 100 per cent traceable, but the linen, which is grown along the coastline of northern France, only needs rainfall with no extra irrigation, fertilisers or pesticides. A guilt-free wardrobe addition.

Buy now £115.00, Asket

Mango Linen tencel mix striped shirt

A striped shirt is a wardrobe staple, so why not swap your Oxford with linen for the upcoming summer season? Mango’s even features a touch of Tencel for a super soft finish.

Buy now £49.99, Mango

Love Brand & Co Men’s Sky Blue Hoffman Linen Shirt

If you’re a linen shirt stan, Love Brand & Co should certainly be on your radar.

With a comprehensive range of colourful prints and classic block colours, all of which are inspired by the natural world, there’s something for everyone. Even better, the brand donates two per cent of the brand’s annual net revenue to charities helping endangered wildlife.

Our favourite is this half-buttoned design.

Buy now £150.00, Love Brand & Co

Uniqlo 100% Premium Linen Shirt (Regular Collar) - white

Every man needs a white linen shirt in their shirting arsenal. Made using 100 per cent premium linen, at £39.90, Uniqlo’s design is a steal. Coming in 12 colours and sizes XXS - XXL, they offer a selection to please even the fussiest of shoppers.

Buy now £39.90, Uniqlo

Gusari Safari Teal Green Shirt

Starting out with luxury swimwear in 2019, Gusari now offers a great range of shirts to go with their shorts. In a muted teal green, the safari style would look great paired with the brand’s khaki trunks.

Buy now £125.00, Gusari

Loual Irish Linen Unisex Shirt in Holm Blue

Loual’s entire collection is constructed using premium Irish linen, from shirts to shorts to trousers. Not only do the shirts feel super luxe, but if you’re really into the fabric, you can invest in coordinating bottoms for a full set. All of the handmade pieces are available on pre-order for delivery in up to six weeks.

Buy now £240.00, Loual

Short sleeved

Bode Peak cross-stitched linen shirt

Emily Adams Bode Aujla, the founder of Bode, often takes inspiration from the past, so it’s no wonder many of her designs wouldn’t look out of place in an antique flea market. This shirt, which is inspired by an embroidered vintage tablecloth, is no exception.

Buy now £500.00, Mr. Porter

Percival Lemon Kreme Cuban Shirt

A brand we’re sure needs no introduction, Percival’s range of menswear is perfect for guys who like classics with a twist. A part of The Tuck Shop selection, this one’s for those with a taste for the sweeter things.

Buy now £149.00, Percival

Reiss Holiday Slim Fit Linen Button-Through Shirt

For those who like packing light, this is the shirt you need in your suitcase. From the light khaki hue to the simple silhouette, its versatility means it will deliver some serious outfit mileage - whether you dress it up with tailored trousers or down with sports shorts.

Buy now £88.00, Reiss

Samsøe Samsøe Saemerson shirt 15141

If you’re not yet familiar with Samsøe Samsøe, you’re in for a treat. Every season, the Copenhagen-based label designs collections full of timeless classics which are given a distinct Scandi makeover. The only downside? You’ll want everything on the website.

Buy now £150.00, Samsøe Samsøe

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