For some, the thrill of travel comes not from visiting exciting places or even scoring the next flight deal—it’s planning the outfits. The best vacation shirts for men (really, the best menswear shirts that anyone can pack in their suitcase) work for a variety of occasions, from hanging out at the beach in Miami to shopping in local artsy neighborhoods of Mexico City to dining at elegant restaurants at the resorts of Amalfi. To help you get ready for your next sun-soaked trip, here are 43 options for some of the best shirts to pack for a summer vacation.
Below are five types of shirts to bring on vacation that can work for a multitude of settings and situations: printed shirts, linen button-downs, knit polos, athleisure tops, and classic white T-shirts. If you’re packing light, it’s all the more important to make sure that what you bring works with other pieces that make it into your bags; even better if they’re easy to wash in case you’re going on a longer trip. If you’re flying, pack one or two of these shirts in your carry-on in case you lose your checked luggage. The selections here come in at multiple price points, and one or two of each—plus a short, a trouser, shoes, and some underwear—will make for a flexible capsule wardrobe fit for most summer vacation plans.
Keep scrolling to see our hit-list of top picks for the best vacation shirts for men, or to jump right to the menswear shirt style you prefer.
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Linen button-downs
A good linen shirt will take you anywhere from Thailand to Punta Cana and from Palermo to Cuba. Wear it open with shorts and a tank-top and you’re ready for the boardwalk; tuck it into a pair of trousers to dine at the candle-lit restaurant at the resort where you’re staying. Linen is perfect for summer vacations because it’s light and breathable; the weave of the fabric keeps it from sticking to your sweaty skin. And if the fabric feels a little bit rough, good linen softens with repeated wearing and washing (read the care label; most linen shirts are best in cool water and dried on a line in the shade). Nothing says easy breezy vibes like classic white linen, but color on vacation is always a good idea.
Printed shirts
Remember “going out” tops? Those weirdly business-casual outfits you wore to the club (or the pre-game at senior housing in college)? It seems like this decade’s equivalent are printed vacation tops—flowy or loudly graphic shirts that scream “I’m going to Puerto Rico!” They evoke good times and irreverence, a mood that matches the elation when the group chat finally makes the long-talked-about trip into a reality. Here are a number of options as far as printed shirts for vacation go, from sumptuously silky, to bold and bright, to almost comically themed. (Nautical print? On a yacht? Groundbreaking.) Prints should be fun and exciting, but just remember the cardinal rule of shopping for vacation: Be sure you’d actually wear the item when you’re at home, even if it’s just to feel like you’re on holiday.
Knit polos
If you’ve opened a social media app in the last six months, you’ve probably been served an ad for knit polos—alternately called “sweater polos,” given that they can feel as soft as your favorite merino wool or cashmere sweater. It must have something to do with a wave of celebs casually hitting the red carpet in one of these bad boys—and it’s easy to see why. There’s something delightfully mid-century classic about the look of a knitted polo, and the texture of the knit lends a touch of dashing elegance to your outfit while being comfy enough for a long day walking around sunny Rome or waiting in line for Broadway rush tickets in New York’s Times Square. Pack a long-sleeve variation if you’re going to any relaxing body of water; it’ll be perfect for those chilly beachside or lakeside evenings.
White tees
It may seem incredibly basic to put a, well, basic like this on a list of the best vacation shirts for men, but who’s going to argue that a classic white T-shirt doesn’t belong in anyone’s suitcase? It’s perfect for travel days, workouts at the hotel gym, and even underneath a suit jacket, if the setting is casual enough. (GQ can fight me on this; white shirts and suits still work!) Plus, it can be extremely easy to clean at a laundromat—or the sink—for longer trips. Depending on what kind of tee you’re looking for, a good ol’ three-pack from Hanes might do the trick, but there’s a wide world of white T-shirts out there for everyone, from cotton-linen blends to pocket tees to crewnecks made entirely of cashmere. OK, maybe don’t toss that last one into the spin cycle.
Athleisure tops
Good activewear is like mana from heaven for travelers. They’re great for coffee runs or training sessions, hitting the rides at Disney parks, or even hiking in national and state parks. These athleisure tops are well suited to days of high-performance activity (sweat-wicking, odor-resistant), while also refined enough that they can take you from the trail in the morning to brunch and cocktails at noon. Bonus: This kind of gear is perfect for travel days, too. You’ll be comfortable for long plane rides while looking put-together enough that someone might see you and decide you’re their airport crush for the trip. (Yes, it’s a thing.)
