7 Men’s Spring/Summer Shirt Options (That Aren’t Boring)

The shirt is one of the oldest garments in menswear. It’s the backbone of tailoring, a cornerstone of smart-casual style, and it plays an important role in casual wardrobes too.

That being said, as dress codes have loosened up over the decades, the T-shirt has all but replaced it as the average guy’s daily driver. This shift has left the humble shirt with a lingering feeling of fustiness, albeit undeserved.

People hear ‘shirt’, and they tend to think white, plain, stiff and serious. It’s not entirely untrue – dress shirts and simple Oxfords are some of the most common versions around. But in summer, the shirt comes out of its shell. Colours, prints, patterns, interesting textures.

Sure, you could pick a boring old pale-blue short-sleeve, but here are seven quirky alternatives we think you should try instead.

Crochet Away

Wax London

Knits and crochet tend to be spoken about most in the context of winter dressing, but there’s a case to be made for these textured textiles when the weather warms up too.

Crochet short-sleeve shirts are having a moment, and they can add a lot to your wardrobe if you’ll let them. Use it to fill the same gap a polo or a simple short-sleeve button-down would.

It serves the same function, but brings some added tactility and character to the table, not to mention a bit of colour if you go for one of the many jazzier options available at the moment. Check out Wax London for some of our favourite versions.

Embroidered details

&SONS

If all-over prints scare you, embroidery offers a quieter way in. Small motifs stitched into plain fabrics add just enough visual flair without overwhelming the rest of the outfit. Think tonal florals, subtle symbols or scattered detailing across the chest and sleeves.

It’s a nice middle ground. You still get that sense of personality, but with a level of restraint that makes the shirt far easier to wear day-to-day.

Up close, it rewards attention. From a distance, it just looks like a well-chosen piece.

Pucker Up

Wax London

Some people say dressing well in summer is trickier than in winter because there are fewer textures to incorporate. And to those people, we say: haven’t you heard of seersucker?

This lightweight, breathable fabric has a unique puckered texture that brings something a bit different to summer fits, adding depth and visual interest.

We think it works best on a nice breezy camp-collar shirt, so ditch the plain tee and try one of these instead.

Throwing Shapes

Wax London

Summer-shirt prints don’t always have to be palm trees, florals or other tropical motifs. We’d argue they actually work best when executed through abstract shapes and colours.

Geometric patterns and swirling multi-colour prints draw the eye in much the same way as their flowery alternatives, but in a subtler, more mature way.

Take a look at brands such as OAS, A Kind Of Guise, NN07 and Wax London for some excellent options.

Offbeat Oxfords

Octobre Editions

The classic Oxford shirt’s beauty lies in its simplicity. It’s versatile, timeless, and easy to wear with almost anything. But this season, brands are pushing things in a bolder direction, using stripes to give the menswear staple a fresh hit of personality.

Think wider stripes, punchier colours, patchwork panels and relaxed silhouettes that feel more playful than preppy. It’s an easy way to add colour and character to your summer wardrobe without straying too far from a classic.

Life’s A Beach

Orlebar Brown

There’s a time and a place for restraint. A late-July heatwave isn’t it. Camp-collar shirts in breezy fabrics and unapologetic prints are a staple for a reason. They’re easy, they’re comfortable, and they signal that you’re off-duty without tipping into costume territory.

The trick is not to overthink it. Let the shirt do the talking and keep everything else pared back. Straight-leg trousers or simple shorts, understated footwear, minimal accessories. Worn like this, even the loudest tropical print can feel grounded rather than gimmicky.

Minimalist Florals

Wax London

Florals for summer aren’t exactly groundbreaking, but the way they’re being done has shifted a bit. Instead of loud, all-over patterns, we’re seeing smaller, more controlled designs. Delicate prints, often spaced out, sometimes embroidered, sitting on otherwise simple shirts.

It’s a more grown-up take on a familiar idea. You get the seasonal nod without the visual overload. Styled with neutral trousers or washed denim, it adds a bit of softness and movement to an outfit without dominating it.