The camp collar shirt is a staple of summer fashion. Here are 12 options to keep you cool all season long.
All men know that it’s much harder to be stylish in the summertime, and that’s becoming even more of a problem as temperatures increase. When staying cool has to be your #1 priority, it’s easy for style to take a backseat.
This is exactly why the camp collar shirt has become so popular in recent years. Though it was once associated with infamously gaudy Hawaiian shirts, the camp collar has now been embraced as the versatile and practical collar it is.
What Is a Camp Collar?
A camp collar (also called a Cuban collar) is a notched, unstructured collar that lies flat against the chest. The notched design create small lapels that fold out due to the collar’s widespread.
This flat, open design provides extra airflow for the wearer around the neck and chest. Get a camp collar shirt with a lightweight fabric and slightly oversized fit, and you’ll be able to withstand even the muggiest weather.
These collars may have button or loop closures, but they’re almost always meant to be worn open. Many guys will also partially unbutton the shirt for an easygoing look.
Because they lie flat, camp collars usually look best without an undershirt (but, of course, there are exceptions). This exposes a fair bit of chest and creates a relaxed look that’s just about synonymous with summer.
This collar type comes from a traditional Hispanic garment called the guayabera. This shirt is closely associated with Cuba — hence the moniker of Cuban collar — but is also popular in other Caribbean nations, Mexico, and Central and South America.
While the camp collar is still primarily a summertime collar, it’s no longer reserved for shirts with tropical designs or embellishments. The collar has been widely embraced for its function, so you can find it on all kinds of shirts, including ones that you can easily incorporate into autumn or spring outfits.
Camp collars are also incredibly versatile. They obviously go well with casual styles, but they can also be dressed up and are also surprisingly good for layering.
Quick Take
Here are our top recommendations from the list:
Crafted from Baird McNutt's slightly thicker linen, this shirt offers year-round wearability with a cool feel suitable for summer. Ideal for Americana enthusiasts, it's a top choice for a camp collar shirt.
Designed for a laid-back vibe with dual flap pockets, this shirt epitomizes vacation-ready attire. The camp collar, short sleeves, and 100% linen make sure you stay cool and comfortable in any setting.
A refined rendition of the camp shirt, it embraces a delightful waffle texture that amplifies the breathability of the cotton. The subtly rounded camp collar and streamlined pocket imbue the shirt with a discreet sense of sophistication.
Read on for more info and the complete list…
The 12 Best Camp Collar Shirts
If you’re looking to add a camp collar shirt to your wardrobe, you’re in the right place. Here are 12 of the best camp collars you can buy today:
Everlane The Relaxed Linen Short-Sleeve Shirt
It’s hard to pick out one quintessential camp collar shirt, but The Relaxed Linen Short-Sleeve Shirt from Everlane comes close.
With its relaxed fit and double flap pockets, this shirt is about as vacation-ready as it gets. The camp collar, short sleeves, and 100% linen composition mean that you’ll be able to stay cool no matter what.
Buck Mason Breeze Cotton Linen S/S Camp Shirt
Buck Mason has made a name for itself by offering classic-meets-modern menswear, and the Breeze Cotton Linen S/S Camp Shirt is no exception.
This laid-back shirt combines a traditional silhouette with contemporary design sensibilities. And the small details — like horizontal buttonholes and vented side seams — make a big difference.
Alex Mill Camp Shirt in Linen
Alex Mill is an excellent example of a sustainable style. The brand takes plenty of inspiration from midcentury menswear, and the Camp Shirt in Linen fits snugly into that category.
Made from 100% linen that drapes just right, the Camp Shirt is an amazing summer option. Wear it with shorts and moccasins for a casual fit, or pair it with pleated pants and loafers for a refined hot-weather look.
Todd Snyder Sea Soft Irish Linen Camp Collar in Green
It’s hard to find a Todd Snyder piece that doesn’t look good. The Sea Soft Irish Linen Camp Collar shirt is a great example of the brand’s elevated yet rugged approach to design.
The garment features linen sourced from the world-famous Baird McNutt mill in Ireland. The casual nature of the camp collar is nicely balanced by the workwear-inspired fit, resulting in a stylish shirt year-round.
Original Fibres Lightweight Linen Cuban Short Sleeve
While most clothing brands offer a few garments made from linen, Original Fibres specializes in the stuff.
The company’s Lightweight Linen Cuban Short Sleeve is made from a slightly thicker linen that’s cool enough for summer but able to be worn any time of the year.
If you lean into Americana-inspired style, this just might be the camp collar shirt for you.
ISTO. Camp-Collar Linen
ISTO is a Portuguese brand that focuses on transparency and sustainability. And being Portuguese, ISTO. produces clothing with an undeniable Mediterranean flair, and that includes the Camp-Collar Linen shirt.
Constructed from 100% French linen, this slim-fitting shirt has a luxurious, breathable feel. But perhaps the coolest part is that ISTO. provides information other retailers don’t. This means you can see exactly how much the shirt costs to make, where it’s made, and where the fabric comes from.
Sunspel Waffle Camp Collar Shirt
British label Sunspel is best known for its polos, and that’s kind of a shame because the brand has so much more to offer.
Consider the Waffle Camp Collar Shirt, an elevated take on the camp shirt that features a lovely waffle texture that enhances the cotton’s breathability. The gently rounded camp collar and sleek pocket give the shirt an understated elegance.
Portuguese Flannel Pique Shirt
Camp collars naturally let your skin breathe a bit more, but ultimately, breathability comes down to the fabric. Enter the Pique shirt from Portuguese Flannel that features the titular open weave for extra ventilation.
The pique weave also gives the fabric a superb texture, perfect for relaxed summer outfits. Pair that texture with a stunning option (like the clay shown here), and you’ll have a fantastic warm weather shirt.
forét Cruise Shirt
Denmark is famous for its minimal, functional approach to design, and the Danish brand forét upholds that reputation.
The studio’s Sway Shirt is a bohemian yet crisp take on the camp collar shirt with a modern silhouette. The simple striped pattern and regular fit make this a great wardrobe mainstay.
Taylor Stitch Palmer Shirt
Traditionally, resort and bowling shirts have featured variations of camp collars. The Palmer Shirt from Taylor Stitch is a mix of these two shirt types, teeming with vintage vibes.
The Palmer is made from a breezy 60% Tencel and 40% linen mix and features a contrasting collar, double-needle construction, and lock-stitched buttons. It’s ideal for channeling a retro look without any of the kitsch.
AKASHI-KAMA Camp Collar Shirt – Earth Patchwork
AKASHI-KAMA designs its menswear with Asian style in mind, and the results are as unique as they are stunning.
While the brand’s camp collar shirt comes in a few colorways, it’s hard to beat the Camp Collar Shirt in Earth Patchwork. This shirt is a tonal dream made from a Japanese double-weave jacquard fabric.
It’s one of the few camp collar shirts that’s arguably best for all — but you’ll probably want to wear this one all year long.
Jelado S/S Mechanic Shirt
While camp collars are most commonly associated with summer style, they also evoke midcentury American workwear pieces. Japanese brand Jelado recognized this and designed its Mechanic Shirt in homage to 50s Americana.
This cotton chambray shirt feels both vintage and fresh at the same time. The selvedge gussets and chain stitch run-offs provide rugged touches to this richly colored shirt.
Camp Collar Shirts: Cool, Casual, and Collected
While the camp collar isn’t as common as the standard point collar, its recent boom in popularity is well deserved. The collar’s flat lay and lack of structure provide a nonchalance that’s hard to achieve with other collar types.
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