Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Fashion & Style

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

The 9 Best Short-Sleeve Shirts for Any Setting, From the Office to the Bar

Stephen Praetorius
By

A smiling man in front of a landmark is seen holding a phone and wearing a black short-sleeve shirt.

For most of the year, long sleeves hold a pretty strict monopoly over the up shirt market. And for good reason. Aside from the obvious — way less fabric on your arms — the best short sleeve shirts blend lightweight materials and breathable construction with the versatility of a woven shirt. Meaning they’re just as well-suited for kicking around the city as they are for sipping cocktails on a rooftop or grabbing dinner with a date. 

Recommended Videos

That said, the best short-sleeve shirts can run the gamut in terms of formality, and that largely comes down to cut and fabric. For instance, loose camp collar shirts in fabrics like rayon and linen tend to skew more casual. Button-down collars and fabrics like oxford or poplin lean more work-appropriate. Either way, you would never wear even the best short sleeve shirts under a tux, but fingers crossed that if you’re sporting one of those, there’s air conditioning involved.

Related

Related Guides

Billy Reid Tuscumbia Linen Short Sleeve Shirt

A man wearing a short-sleeved shirt from Billy Reid.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

When you need a breathable and stylish men’s shirt, make like those in the know and look to linen to keep you cool. Choose this Billy Reid button-down, with its clean, clean lines and tailored cut that’ll keep you looking sharp, whether you’re at the office or elsewhere.

Taylor Stitch Short Sleeve California in Desert Shadow Stripe

A striped short-sleeve shirt from Taylor Stitch.

Taylor Stitch prides itself on responsibly crafting all its garments, including this neutral-striped short-sleeve shirt. It’s made from linen blended with Tencel, a plant-based fiber that requires significantly less water and energy to produce than traditional materials.

Bonobos Stretch Riviera Short Sleeve Shirt

Bonobos Stretch Riviera Short Sleeve Shirt in Berry Floral

We all know Bonobos as a brand that doesn’t hold back when it comes to patterns and prints. Take this short-sleeve shirt, for example. But not only does the fabric feature a unique floral pattern, but it’s also got a hit of stretch to guarantee the shirt fits like a glove.

Buck Mason Palm Cotton Short Sleeve Vintage Camp Shirt

A Buck Mason Palm Cotton Short Sleeve Vintage Camp Shirt.

From the clean, minimal styling to the peached cotton herringbone fabric — giving it the drape of a heavier fabric without all the weight — Buck Mason’s created a heavy-hitting camp shirt we see ourselves wearing again and again.

Uniqlo Oxford Slim-Fit Short Sleeve Shirt

A blue Uniqlo Oxford Slim-Fit Short Sleeve Shirt.

The solid oxford shirt has been a men’s wardrobe essential for generations, due to its timeless design and ability to wear with just about anything. Uniqlo recuts the classic oxford with short sleeves for a breezier feel. So sometimes, the simplest updates are the most effective.

Todd Snyder Exploded Madras Check Camp Collar Short Sleeve Shirt

A collared short-sleeve shirt from Todd Snyder.

Don’t know about you, but we just can’t ever seem to get enough of madras. Todd Snyder’s fashioned this camp-collar shirt with a vibrant, blown-out check pattern, bringing the tried-and-true fabric into 2021. 

Acne Oversized Shirt

A man wearing a green oversized shirt from Acne.

Who doesn’t love playing with proportion every once in a while? Acne designed this short-sleeve shirt to do just that with dropped shoulders, an oversized fit, and a breezy lyocell cotton fabric.

AllSaints Jardino Floral Short Sleeve Button-Up Camp Shirt

A man with his hands in his pockets is wearing a floral shirt from AllSaints.

For those looking to do florals a little differently, look no further than this leisurely option from AllSaints. Its zoomed-in flower pattern, olive green hues, and boxy fit make for one hell of a short-sleeve shirt.

Everlane Linen Camp Shirt

A black Everlane Linen Camp Shirt on a light gray backdrop.

From the essentials experts at Everlane, a linen short-sleeve shirt that perfectly bridges the gap between practicality and night-time style. Wear it with lightweight jeans, chinos, or even tailored shorts (above the knee, of course) and you’ve got the perfect outfit for the bar.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Stephen Praetorius
Stephen Praetorius
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Stephen Praetorius is a freelance writer and editor with near-boundless interests. His work's been featured in publications…
The Best Long-Sleeve Shirts for Men To Wear Right Now
Man wearing long sleeve shirt with wall background.

There are certain pieces in your style rotation you might overlook, like the seemingly humble yet downright essential long-sleeve shirt. This is a style that, to us features plenty of utility no matter the season. Long-sleeve shirts these days are much more than an afterthought, with companies putting as much care into your long-sleeve shirt as they might, say, a regular t-shirt or a pocket tee. And when designed in a minimal enough fashion, a henley is even worth considering among the pantheon of the best long-sleeve shirts. When you find the right long-sleeve shirt though, you're finding both a comfortable shirt with a casual base layer and when made the right way, a piece that can be worn on its own.

The best long-sleeve shirts, like long-sleeve shirts made with merino wool, provide comfort and warmth, plus plenty of laidback weekend styling potential. When worn with tailored sweats to grab coffee or brunch, a long-sleeve shirt in the right color and cut looks a heck of a lot better an old logo or athletic tee. And when worn for travel underneath a denim jacket, for instance, you're getting a layer that also looks great on its own. To start your search for a shirt that's both a base layer and a reliable fall and winter style move, select from our favorite long-sleeve shirts of the moment.

Read more
The 8 Best Stitch Fix Competitors and Alternatives
A Bespoke box in the middle of a black table, surrounded by various items.

Stitch Fix got in early on the menswear subscription box game. They set the standard for an industry that has grown significantly over the past few years by providing a streamlined and convenient way to discover your personal style or, if you already know what you’re looking for, to keep your wardrobe up-to-date. Within fashion and grooming alone, there are subscription boxes geared toward every niche and need imaginable. So many in fact, that it can be a challenge to sift through them all to find exactly what you’re looking for.

That’s why we did the sifting for you and narrowed it down to the best options in each category. They all offer a flexible range of pricing and as much commitment as you’re comfortable with. You can find any combination of services and packages to fit your budget and needs. Whether you’re looking to rebuild your entire wardrobe, explore self-care products, or just need new made-to-measure dress shirts on a regular basis, this list has you covered.

Read more
The Best Half-Zip Pullover Sweater Styles and Buying Tips
How to Shop for and Style Half-Zip Pullover Sweaters
A man in gray half-zip pullover sweater placing his arm on his car in the outdoors.

The half-zip pullover sweater may have started out as a preppy staple, but its versatility and ease have made it one of the most useful pieces in every modern man’s wardrobe. Fabrics have evolved as well, with designs available in every fabric imaginable. Half-zips are no longer just your average sweaters for men. From the dorm room to the board room, they have found a place in almost every level of formality and fashion subset.

The only problem is that there are so many variations available that it can get difficult to know you’re getting the best half zip for your needs. That’s why we put together this guide to the various styles and what to look for when you’re buying, starting with the name.

Read more