Linen Dress for Woman and Matching Shirt for Men
The best men's linen shirts you can buy
- Linen is a fantastic, soft, breathable fabric that's perfect for warm climates and the hot summer months, but not all linen shirts are created equal.
- J. Crew's linen shirts are our top pick for the best linen shirts you can buy. They're made with Baird McNutt's fine linen, which is some of the best stuff in Ireland, and the holy grail of all things flax fiber.
There are few things as soft, sweet, and reminiscent of summer as a linen shirt. Yes, they wrinkle, and no, they don't hold shape well, but that's why we love them. Linen, after all, is the most unobtrusive cloth known to man, and for some of us, summer would not be such a tolerable affair without it. Apart from being more lightweight and breathable, linen is 30 times stronger, more hypo-allergenic, and much more environmentally friendly than cotton.
The world's strongest natural fiber, linen comes from the coarse, straw-like fibers of the flaxseed, or linseed plant. It's a material that goes as far back as the ancient Egyptians, at least, and it was worn and coveted as a symbol of high social standing.
Linen is manufactured by first letting the stem of the flax plant rot in slow-moving water — a process known as "retting." Next, it is beaten, then spun into yarn, woven into cloth, and boiled in fermented bran (glamorous, I know), before being rinsed in buttermilk. Now, if you can somehow imagine the effusive effects of such a procedure, surely you cannot envision a byproduct as silk-like as linen. But, alas, here you have the fabric of pharaohs, kings, emperors, and caliphs the world over, going back some 30,000 years, at least.
All linen, of course, is not created equal. Flax is grown everywhere from the tropics to the temperate climes, but some places produce higher quality flax than others, and still yet, some climates are better for retting and manufacturing linen from the flax plant.
Ireland, it is generally agreed, is the best place on earth for manufacturing the plant, while plants grown in northern Europe (France, Belgium, the Netherlands) and retted in Russia and China tend to bear fibers of the poorest quality, perhaps because of regional bacteria and climate, but you can read more about that on Deck Towel, and a decades-old article in JSTOR (subscription required) will teach you much, much more about the complexities of linen, specifically in Ireland.
Below, we've rounded up the best, softest, most decadent linens we could find within an array of styles and price ranges so you don't find yourself overpaying for poorly-woven and under-processed fibers rife with wood chips and chemical residue. No one wants that.
Here are our favorite places to buy linen shirts:
- Best linen shirts overall: J. Crew
- Best loose-fitting linen shirts: Banana Republic
- Best linen blends: Taylor Stitch
- Best linen shirts on a budget: Amazon Essentials
- Best linen shirts with prints and patterns: Onia
Read on in the slides below to check out our top picks.
The best linen shirts overall
J. Crew's Irish Linen shirts are made with some of Ireland's best linen fabric, soft as can be, and reasonably priced.
J. Crew uses fine Irish linen made by Baird McNutt, one of Ireland's finest producers of the fabric who's been around for over a century.
Now, I'm no snob, but having spent the better part of a decade in the tropics, I've worn my fair share of linen shirts, and J. Crew's have consistently been my favorite. I also don't know that I could have really done it without them, at least not without nearly incinerating my fair skin or living in UPF shirts, which are fine on the water, but tend not to be the most stylish shirts on land.
J. Crew's linens aren't cheap, but they're far from the most expensive ones you can buy. Stepping up in price from Baird McNutt's linens, quality only increases marginally, as far as I'm concerned, and that will often have to do with premiums on various prints and brand names, but not necessarily the linen itself.
My J. Crew linen shirts have lasted many years, which, considering how I live in and wear them (mercilessly), is no small feat. For both quality and simplicity's sake, J. Crew's linen shirts make for a safe bet.
Reviews on J. Crew's website of both the "Délavé" and regular linens are highly complimentary of the fabric, and any negative reviews all had to do with shirt sizing, which is relative at best. Especially when some verified customers suggest shirts are sized up while other's argue they're sized down.
All in all, it may not be the absolute softest, perfectly-woven linen you've ever worn, but it will surely be close to it, and probably at a fraction of the price of any step up.
Pros: Made with some of Ireland's finest linen, soft, meticulous weave
Cons: Most of J. Crew's linen shirts are "slim" cut, which can make them difficult to size, unless you like a tight fit
Shop men's linen shirts at J. Crew
The best linen shirt for a loose fit
Camden Standard-Fit Linen Shirts from Banana Republic are comfortable, loose-fitting shirts that look good and feel wonderful.
Despite what GQ may say about loose-fitting linen shirts, they can still be pulled off without channeling the "dad on vacation" look that seems to ruffle some feathers. Well, we're still willing to let our shirttails fly, even at the risk of looking like romance novelists.
Banana Republic makes a delightfully frumpy Irish linen shirt that's slightly tailored at the bottom. It might make you look like dad on holiday, but then it might also make you feel like Henri Matisse, ready to paint your masterpiece. There's no shame in dressing in loose and airy clothing, despite what anyone says. So set your inner artist — or dad, or romance novelist — free as a bird, as you please.
Banana Republic's linen doesn't seem to be quite up to snuff with J. Crew's, and in my experience, it's a bit tougher and more canvas-like with more inconsistencies. But then, that's probably why my Irish linen shirts from Banana Republic have lasted decades and my J. Crew Irish linens only seem to survive a few summers. They're both fair tradeoffs for one another, depending on whether durability and longevity or softness and comfort are your prerogatives.
Out front, Banana Republic isn't as transparent as J. Crew is about where the linen comes from or where it's produced, but we do know that it's imported 100% linen, which does not bode well (especially considering the similarity in price between the two brands), but is not necessarily indicative of inferior quality — though we can't help but wonder. I requested more information on sourcing and production, but have yet to hear back at the time of publishing.
Reviewers on Banana Republic's website are highly positive, averaging out at 4.4/5 stars, and those that do file grievances only do so in light of sizing, which seems to be a recurring topic of debate among linen wearers.
Pros: Durable, comfy, loose fit
Cons: Neither the finest nor the softest linen, origin and manufacturer of fabric unclear
Shop men's linen shirts at Banana Republic
The best linen blend shirt
Soft as can be, Taylor Stitch's linen-cotton shirts stay a little crisper than 100% linen,making them the best choice for wrinkle-averse gentlemen.
When it's blended with cotton, linen smooths out a little more, which is better for those who prefer to dry-clean or iron their shirts and don't want to be confined to 100% cotton all summer. Linen-cotton blended shirts also handle the rigor of a dryer better than full linen, too.
Made in the USA, Taylor Stitch's 50% linen/50% BCI cotton shirts are unpleated with a casually pointed collar, but they can also be pulled off in slightly more formal settings, too.
If you really want to dress up, Taylor Stitch's Hyde shirts bear a crisp, semi-spread collar with removable stays, a longer tail for tucking, and they're pleat-free for easy ironing and cleaner lines. Of course, for a little less structure, remove the collar stays, untuck, and be free.
Travel + Leisure calls Taylor Stitch "effortlessly chic," and Gear Patrol notes that the young, San Francisco-based company has solidified itself as the go-to for long-lasting, well-made classics. After doing our own research, we can't help but agree.
Pros: Stiffer, almost wrinkle-free, and takes better to ironing than 100% linen
Cons:Costs just as much as (or more than) 100% linen shirts, not as breathable or as durable as linen
Shop Taylor Stitch's men's linen shirts at Taylor Stitch
The best linen shirts on a budget
Amazon Essentials' Linen Shirts are soft, sleek, affordable, and 100% linen.
Amazon Essentials, for good or ill, may have just undercut the entire market of affordable clothing, and its linen shirts are no exception. That does make one wonder about the amount of environmental and social responsibility undertaken when 100% linen shirts are retailing for under $30.
While we have no idea where these shirts come from, as information pertaining to their origins is limited to the word "imported." But, on the other hand, Amazon Essentials is far from the only purveyor choosing not to divulge where its fabrics come from.
Regardless, Amazon Essentials' linen shirts are remarkably soft, at least for their price point. There are several inconsistencies that look like the woodchips, but that's not necessarily a bad thing, and it provides its own unique aesthetic. It just might not be the best shirt for the office (depending on your office, that is). A pocket and a very relaxed collar also steer these shirts more toward the beach than the boardroom, but, again, that's highly subjective.
All in all, these are 100% linen shirts at a steal of a price, and while the stitching might not be the best and they may not be built to last season after season, we think they're still well worth the price at less than half the price of most of our other recommendations.
Pros: Soft, affordable, available in a wide variety of pastel colors
Cons:Origin of linen unclear, stitching/threading may not be the best
Shop Amazon Essentials' men's linen shirts on Amazon
The best linen shirts with prints and patterns
Onia's Linen Vacation Shirts are fit for the balmiest of summer days and come in patterns ranging from subtle '50s-vintage stripes to scallop paisley and eye-catching banana leaves.
Onia makes linen shirts for all shapes, styles, and walks, and while we're partial to the stripes (so is GQ), the company makes a whole series of prints ranging from reserved and subtle to fun and loud.
Pointed collars and delicate tailoring keep this shirt crisp, while a straight hem at the bottom keeps you forcibly casual. Throw a blazer over one of these shirts, and they'll let you in just about anywhere.
These shirts aren't cheap, and if you're skeptical about the origins of the brand's fabric, so was I: You'd have to reach out to the brand directly or get your hands on one of the shirts in order to find out that they're manufactured in Vietnam using 100% Irish linen from the brand's mills, somewhere in Europe. Still, the shirts are soft and thin as linen can be, at least without being see-through or prone to tearing.
GQ, Esquire, and AskMen also sing Onia's praise, and the best thing I've noticed about these shirts is that the 100% linen is soft as the Irish mist that helped make it, and surprisingly durable for such a lightweight linen. They're also sewn and hemmed so neatly that you can hardly find the threading in some places. I've worn mine week in, week out for a year and change, but I'd hedge my bet on these shirts lasting a few good years judging by how I've treated them.
Pros:Fine Irish linen, expert tailoring and stitching, plenty of patterns to choose from
Cons:Expensive
Shop men's short-sleeve linen vacation shirts at Zappos, or Jay long-sleeve, and Abe long-sleeve linen shirts at Onia
Check out our other men's style buying guides
The best men's undershirts you can buy
If you've been looking for the best undershirt for managing your sweaty pits, then the search is over. We've done the research and smoked out the best undershirts for men that you can buy today.
Here are the best undershirts you can buy:
- Best undershirt overall: Thompson Tee
- Best multipack of undershirts: David Archy
- Best quick-dry undershirt: Uniqlo
- Best stretch performance undershirt: Psycho Bunny
- Best undershirt for casual wear: J. Crew
The best men's shorts you can buy
Finding the perfect pair of men's shorts can be challenging, so we've sorted through a bunch of options to find the best places to shop for men's shorts and selected our favorite pairs from each brand.
Here are the best places to buy men's shorts:
- Best overall: J. Crew shorts
- Best linen shorts: Club Monaco shorts
- Best lightweight cotton shorts: Brooks Brothers shorts
- Best hybrid shorts and swim trunks: REI shorts
- Best athletic lounge shorts: Olivers Apparel shorts
The best men's workout shirts you can buy
Ask any routine gym goer about their preferred workout attire, and they'll likely spend a few minutes talking about moisture-wicking fabric, innovative cooling technology, or sweat-activated fabrics. While these may sound like industry buzzwords, the application behind these concepts are staples — and, frankly, must-haves — in the world of workout apparel.
Though just as there's variety in the available options, there's also variety in a wearer's desired application or workout style. Perhaps a runner wants a more lightweight option or a fitness fanatic desires something that looks good every day, no matter the activity. Regardless of intent, there's a suitable workout shirt designed specifically for everyone. A great workout shirt doesn't just get the job done, but it does so without sacrificing performance, comfort, or style.
Here are the best men's workout shirts you can buy:
- Best overall: Rhone Reign
- Best for runners: Nike Dri-Fit Miler
- Best cooling technology: Arctic Cool Crew Neck
- Best for everyday wear: Reebok Supersonic 2.0
- Best for cold weather: Under Armour HeatGear
The best men's underwear you can buy
If there's one article of clothing that you ought to care about, it's your underwear. Our top pick is the Tommy John collection because you can choose from many different styles of underwear and all of them are seriously comfortable.
You might also like Bonobos for unparalleled fit, Rhone for an active lifestyle, MeUndies for the most exciting prints, and Gap for affordability.
The best suits you can buy
For your go-to workhorse suit, you simply can't beat a single-breasted, two-button classic style charcoal gray suit. The Brooks Brothers 1818 charcoal suit combines historic American-made quality with iconic English flair, and it's easily the most versatile suit you'll ever wear.
Here are our top picks for the best suits:
- Best overall: Brooks Brothers 1818 charcoal suit
- Best linen suit: J Crew cotton-linen suit
- Best wool suit: Indochino windowpane suit
- Best retro suit: Charles Tyrwhitt double-breasted suit
- Best tuxedo: Indochino Hampton tuxedo
The best ties you can buy
No suit is complete without a great necktie. For your staple tie, it's hard to beat black, and this luxurious silk tie from Turnbull and Asser hits every mark. Its high-quality bias-cut Italian silk looks wonderful, drapes beautifully, and works with any type of knot.
You'll also love the Brooks Brothers silk repp tie, the Bonobos linen tie, and the American Trench wool tie.
The best white dress shirts for men
Every man needs at least one good white dress shirt. Fine Italian-woven cotton, old-school American craftsmanship, and a great trim fit make the Brooks Brothers Golden Fleece shirt a must-have for the modern gentleman. Its versatile spread collar looks great with or without a tie, so you can pair this timeless staple with almost any outfit.
You should also consider the T. M. Lewin cotton/linen dress shirt, the Charles Tyrwhitt French cuff dress shirt, the Brooks Brothers Oxford cloth button-down, and the budget-friendly Tie Bar pinpoint dress shirt.
Owen Burke
Home and Kitchen Reporter
Owen Burke is a Senior Home and Kitchen Reporter at Insider, helping craft a brand new guides section for Insider Reviews. Ever in search of the perfect espresso, he focuses on espresso machines and equipment, juicers, kitchen knives, grills, meat and seafood, and the odd outdoors product. Previously, he was a contributor at Wirecutter, Outside, Surfer Magazine, and The Atlantic. He's also worked in raw bars, restaurants, and on fishing boats, holding a USCG Master Captain's license. He is a contributing author on The Ocean: The Ultimate Handbook of Nautical Knowledge. Say hello at oburke@insider.com. Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here. Learn more about how we test kitchen products.
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Source: https://www.insider.com/guides/style/best-linen-shirts-men
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