Cream Of The Casual Crop: The Best Casual Shirts For Men

Casual shirts for men are a godsend. For the price of one shirt (and with an eye for fashion) you can land yourself a top that can go from relaxed to formal. The versatility of men’s casual shirts is a strength, but we understand that it can also lead to some confusion. 

Which stylish shirts for men are going to fly when paired with a cool bomber jacket? Do all men’s casual button-downs work with pleated pants and a sports jacket? You don’t want to be sweating up a storm while working a casual look, so what fancy shirt for men is going to feel cool in the summer, and what will keep you cozy and warm during the long winter months?

We have combed through mountains of men’s casual shirts to bring you 23 of the very best. We’ve brought you shirts for every casual situation we could think of to make sure you’re able to put together a killer casual look. 

The 23 best casual shirts for men

Robert Graham Waters Sport Shirt

Robert Graham shirts do a great job at classing up relaxed wear. Paired with a good pair of jeans and a snazzy set of upscale sneakers, this summer long-sleeve shirt for men offers a nice crisp look, showing that you know how to keep cool in the summer heat.

Best for: Casual confidence in full bloom.
Colors: Purple, Medium Blue, Aqua

Axel Arigato Rouge Bee Bird Striped Shirt

The Bee Bird shirt from Axel Arigato almost seems like it shouldn’t work as well as it does. On one hand, the overall striped pattern has an air of formality, and it could indeed work as a formal shirt under a blazer. But then there’s that oversized bright red bee bird over the breast that adds a playful bit of fun. 

So if you need your long-sleeved shirt to transform from fun to functional in the blink of an eye, slip a blazer over your Rouge Bee Bird to hide that bright red branding, and you’ll be good to go.

Best for: Outward formality hiding a secret bit of fun.
Colors: Blue/white

Ami Paris Oxford Shirt

French for “friend”, Ami’s shirts act as sartorially savvy companions to pretty much any occasion. Featuring simple color schemes and gentle silhouettes, Ami makes it easy for you to wear good-looking men’s casual dress shirts without coming across as conspicuous or overpowering. This blue Oxford button-down is a textbook example of understated class, easily matched with jeans or more formal pleats.

Best for: Gaining quiet confidence in your casual outfit.
Color: Blue

Polo Ralph Lauren Striped Shirt

In the world of trendy men’s shirts, this Polo Ralph Lauren striped shirt is seen as a textbook example of preppiness. Heading to lunch on the country club patio? Invited to an after-hours meet-up? Polo Ralph Lauren will let you relax while still looking like you belong.

Best for: Leading the preppy pack.
Color: Light Blue

Woolrich Poplin Madras Shirt

Looking for something a little bolder? Try out a checked shirt. While checked patterns won’t match with as wide an array of outfits as a monotone, they definitely do a lot more attention-grabbing when they’re on their own. Woolrich’s Poplin Madras is a favorite; it features a super-bold 1970’s check pattern that will make you very hard to miss.

Best for: Drawing stares with patterned squares.
Colors: Checked Blue, Oak, Beach + More

Western Rise X Button-Down

Western Rise went on the hunt for stylish plain shirts for men that crossed stylish button-downs with the heavyweight durability usually associated with a working-man’s shirt. Finding this X-factor missing in other shirts, they decided to make one themselves— the X Cotton Button-Down. Featuring a combination of cotton, nylon, and elastane, the X is built to last you a long time while looking good, making it an efficient wardrobe investment.

Best for: Long-sleeved class that will last you a long time.
Colors: Cloud, Fog

Hugo Boss Slim-Fit Shirt

Want to look dressed-up but the idea of summer heat is getting you down? Short-sleeved shirts are here to help you out. In particular, we like Hugo Boss’ Slim-Fit Jersey, which looks very dressed up for such a relaxed fit. Built from Polymide fabrics (used in sports apparel), this short-sleeved shirt will let your skin breathe on even the hottest summer days.

Best for: Sweat-free S-tier styling.
Color: Dark Red

Coofandy Hawaiian Floral Beach Shirt

If you want to go casually stylish but don’t want to break the bank, Coofandy has you covered. One of the best budget casual shirts in the game, Coofandy’s linen shirts are cool, affordable, and come in a fantastically wide range of prints and colors, with more always coming down the pipeline. 

Best for: Novelty button-downs at a nice price.
Colors: Palm Leaf, Dark Blue, Paisley Red + More

Balmain Monogram Print Shirt

How bold are you willing to go? Most men’s shirt brands like to draw your eyes, but Balmain is looking to take them over with this attention-grabbing print shirt. Inspired by Renaissance France labyrinths, Balmain’s monogram print shirt with its stunning black on white geometric design will imprint itself on your admirers’ vision, leaving a reminder that you were there hours after you’re on your way.

Best for: Bowling them over with bold simplicity.
Color: Black On White

Robert Graham Battleship Sport Shirt

With the magic of printing and dyeing processes these days, we sometimes wonder why modern men’s shirts aren’t displaying a bit more creativity in their patterning. Robert Graham has picked up the patterning slack with its Battleship sport shirt, which features an almost-illusionary zig-zag pattern. Set this busy shirt off with a set of simple white sneakers, and prepare for curious stares.

Best for: Fashion zagging where others zig.
Color: Blue

Officine Générale Felix Denim Shirt

Denim shirts reach their peak after they’ve been worked in for a while, gaining that wonderfully soft lived-in feel. While they’re not likely to work particularly well as a more formal shirt, they excel at being a comfortable stay-at-home top, and look sharp if you’re heading out around town. In the case of Officine Générale’s Felix denim shirt, it’s pre-distressed so you can skip the working-in part and head straight to comfort country.

Best for: Working it workingman’s style.
Color: Blue

Coofandy Short Sleeve Beach Shirt

When it’s hot out and you’re taking your special someone to dinner, you want dressy but not overly-dressed. Coofandy’s short-sleeved beach shirts fit the occasion—they look spiffy but will leave you able to enjoy any cool breezes that come your way. With their wide variety of colors and very reasonable prices you’re sure to find something that’s right for you.

Best for: Becoming a classy beach-bum.
Colors: Black, Sky Blue, Light Yellow + More

Robert Graham Ludlow Knit Shirt

Moving on into statement territory, we come across Robert Graham’s Ludlow Performance Knit Long Sleeve Shirt. Printed with a bold repeating pattern, the Ludlow is lighter in weight than it looks, allowing you to carry around eye-catching fashion while still allowing your skin to breathe.

Best for: A lightweight feel with a heavyweight oh-la-la factor.
Color: Dark Grey

Officine Générale Lipp Flannel Shirt

When we think “flannel” we generally think “sturdy”, which is good, and also “warm”, which is not so great during the hotter months. Happily, we have good news for flannel lovers. Officine Générale’s Lipp Flannel shirt actually manages to blend the durability of a flannel with the lightweight feel we want for hot weather.

Best for: Crease-resistant comfort in the hot summer months.
Color: Blue

Robert Graham Conroe Sport Shirt

If you’re a checked shirt kind of guy, it sometimes becomes a bit of a chore to find checked patterns that don’t use a muted color palette. Robert Graham’s Conroe sport shirts flaunt bright blue or pink checked patterns, suitable for a picnic day with your special someone. Keep your style in checks and prepare to be checked out.

Best for: Cheerful checks to brighten your day.
Colors: Blue, Pink

Incotex Linen Shirt

Let’s move a little more towards the dressier end of the casual shirt scale. The scenario—you’re heading out for some fine dining, and maybe to catch a musical act after your meal, and you want to be dressed right but still feel cool and collected. Incotex’s linen shirts do a great job of looking classy while their linen fabrication lets you air out.

Best for: Staying cool on hot nights out on the town.
Colors: Navy, Off-white, Green

Coofandy Henley Shirt

We may have found the ultimate comfortable beach shirt in Coofandy’s Henley long-sleeve tee. Coofandy says this shirt line was inspired by 1960’s hippie-wear. But don’t be fooled, these are some sharp-looking tops with a nicely relaxed fit. Roll back your sleeves, slap on some sunscreen, and soak in the rays as you keep things loose on the beach.

Best for: Looking good while you let your cares blow away.
Colors: Navy Blue, Wine Red, Khaki + More

Robert Graham Gone Fishing Shirt

Let’s get playful. Featuring a sea of rainbow fish, Robert Graham’s Gone Fishing graphic short sleeve shirt celebrates the glory of summer with a vibrant print. Fashioned with a stylish cut, this top lets you show off your fun side while still looking like you know how to put together a sharp outfit.

Best for: Sporting a sense of style while being a good sport.
Color: Blue

Hugo Boss Floral Print Shirt

Hugo Boss is one of the, well, bosses when it comes to branded shirts for men. While Hugo Boss is probably best known for dressier selections, the brand does know how to let its well-barbered hair down once in a while. Behold Hugo Boss’ floral print short-sleeve shirt; still very classy, but with a definite element of fun.

Best for: Bringing upscale class to the party.
Color: Light Beige

Axel Arigato Signature Polo

Sometimes you like a nice neutral central piece of clothing to start as a base for building your outfit. Axel Arigato’s signature polo shirt certainly fits the bill; the long-sleeved beige top will help make other accouterments pop. Pair it with brightly-colored shorts and a matching cap and you’ll be all set style-wise.

Best for: Making your brights brighter.
Color: Beige

Western Rise Limitless Merino Shirt

Looking for a casual shirt that’s going to work well for your everyday wear? Take a look at Western Rise’s Limitless Merino shirt. Bordering on formal wear, the Limitless shirt features a conservative cut that is stretchable, wicks moisture, and is wrinkle and odor-resistant. Durable, this button-down will net you a great fashion-focused ROI.

Best for: Putting the best parts of Oxfords, T-shirts, and activewear on your back all at the same time.
Colors: Smoke, Light Blue, Concrete

Robert Graham Cake By The Ocean Sport Shirt

Here’s a tropical treat. Cake By The Ocean has perhaps a more formal cut than some of the other Robert Graham entries on our list, but the print takes the shirt right into the realm of tiki torches and umbrella drinks. Join for the classic cut, stay for the fun island vibes.

Best for: Putting out vacation vibes.
Color: Blue

Axel Arigato Tait Overshirt

Not quite warm enough yet to go full-out with your summer wear? Bide your time with Axel Arigato’s Tait Overshirt. Warmer than the other entries on this list, this mid-season casual shirt is fabricated from heavy-weight wool fabric which will keep you cozy as you wait for the days to warm up.

Best for: Holding out for the summer’s heat with a hot look.
Color: Black

Frequently asked questions about men’s casual shirts