Spread Out: 8 Open Collar Shirts Every Stylish Man Needs

When the summer is really summering, anything you can do to make your outfit that little bit more breezy and relaxed is worth exploring. Things like swapping the chino shorts for linen, ditching the leather sneakers in favour of some suede sandals, or choosing to wear an open collar shirt.

These vacation-ready shirts aren’t all that different from their classic-collared counterparts, but they feel more laid back. Not to mention they let some air to the chest, which is never a bad thing when the mercury has climbed past the mid-20s. The best part? They come in all shapes, sizes, colours and patterns, so you will almost certainly find something that suits.

Here we take a look at some of the key open-collar shirt styles for summer 2025, including some of our top picks. Here’s what you need to know.

What Is An Open Collar Shirt?

ISTO

An open-collar shirt is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. They go by different names – camp-collar, spread-collar, Cuban-collar – depending on who you speak to, where you’re shopping and the specific type of garment.

Yet they all follow the same basic principle. That is, the collar, rather than being stiff and structured, flops lazily, lying completely flat against the chest. It creates a more relaxed look that suits the warmer weather nicely.

8 Open Collar Shirts You Need

The Linen Camp Collar

ISTO

We could bore you to tears waxing lyrical about the merits of linen, but suffice to say it’s one of the best materials for tackling the heat. Moisture-wicking, highly breathable and quick drying, there’s a reason it’s been the fabric of choice in the earth’s hottest corners for thousands of years.

Throw in some short sleeves, a nice boxy cut for aeration and a camp collar, and you’ve got one of the best summer garments going. Plain or patterned, depending on the mood.

The Towelling Polo

The Resort Co

Swaddling yourself in something made out of the same material as your dressing gown may not seem like the most rational move in the searing heights of summer, but hear us out.

Towelling is breathable and highly absorbent. It’s perfect for throwing on after the pool or beach, and it brings a welcome touch of texture to a season that tends to lack it.

For extra breeziness, opt for one without buttons, allowing the collar to lie freely across the chest in a laid-back manner.

The Geometric Print Camp Collar

Wax London

Are you the type of guy who shies away from anything patterned? If so, it’s time to branch out, and a nice geometric print is perfect for dipping a toe in without going full Hawaiian shirt.

These magic-eye style prints can be as colourful or as restrained as you want, and they’re trending hard at the moment too. We suggest opting for simple colour combinations – nothing too outrageous – and ensuring the rest of your outfit is relatively muted, so the shirt can take centre stage.

The Open Knit Shirt

CHE

Another way to add some texture to your summer wardrobe while simultaneously airing out your sweaty torso is to wear an open-knit shirt. They have a very loose knit, leaving lots of gaps for ventilation, and they come in lots of colourful patterns.

Wax London has some great options in this department, and the best part is they’re extremely easy to dress up or down depending on the occasion – you’ll be able to tackle everything from beach weddings to barbecues.

The Linen Long Sleeve

Onia

If the goal is to keep the sun off, you might want to consider something with longer sleeves. Going for linen means you’ll still keep cool, but you won’t have to worry about your arms burning to a crisp.

Pair a pale blue one with a pair of off-white linen drawstring pants for a look that can tackle anything from an al fresco evening meal to a bit of grill action in the backyard.

The Textured Camp Collar

The Resort Co

Whether it’s seersucker, silk, terry cloth, or crochet, an open-collar shirt in a textured fabric can add visual interest to an otherwise lifeless outfit and really bring it to life.

Go for a bold block colour if you want to make an impact, or stick to muted earth tones and pastels for something a bit more low-key.

The Statement Shirt

Orlebar Brown

Open-collar shirts present the perfect excuse to go a bit wild. It’s a garment that makes it acceptable to wear ludicrous prints and patterns in a way no other does.

Why not forget about keeping it subtle and classic and lean into the fun side of summer dressing instead? We’re talking tropical prints, all-over photographic designs like those of Orlebar Brown, or even just obnoxiously loud colours. The world is your oyster.

The Minimalist Option

The Resort Co

At the complete opposite end of the spectrum, a minimalist open-collar shirt keeps things stripped back and subtle. No obvious texture or too crazy patterns, just simple neutral colours and clean lines.

It’s easily the most versatile type of open-collar shirt, so if you’re creating a summer capsule wardrobe and trying to maximise wearability, this is the way to go.