Short-sleeve button-down shirts can get a bad rap, as they’ve picked up something of a dorky association over the years. But as with anything, pulling off a short-sleeve shirt is all about how you wear it (and getting the right one). And once you have one of the best short-sleeve button-downs for men, you’ll quickly find that it’s something you reach for any time the weather is warm. That’s because a button-down is more put-together than a T-shirt, while still retaining the breezy breathability that’s essential on a hot day. In fact, a short-sleeve button-down might be even better for hot weather than a T-shirt — all you need to do is loosen a button or two for extra breathability.
Just like their long-sleeve counterparts, short-sleeve shirts come in a ton of different styles — you can get a short-sleeve Oxford shirt for a more preppy look, a patterned camp collar shirt for a laid-back Sinatra-in-Palm-Springs vibe, or a solid-colored linen shirt if your style skews minimalist.
Short-sleeve button-down shirts can be styled in a few different ways. You can button them all the way up for a clean, polished look, or leave a few buttons undone to keep it loose. For an even more laid-back look, wear a short-sleeve shirt completely open over a tank top or T-shirt.
These are the best short-sleeve button-down shirts for men.
1. Todd Snyder Camp Collar Short Sleeve Shirt
BEST OVERALL
Todd Snyder is great at making wearable basics, but the designer knows how to have fun, too. Take this short-sleeve shirt, which has a relaxed camp collar, chest pocket and a playing card suit print with small diamonds, clubs, spades and hearts. It’s made from 100% cotton. A few other vibrant prints are available, too.
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2. Abercrombie & Fitch Camp Collar Button-Up Shirt
BEST VALUE
The moose logos have been turned down and the style has been turned up over at A&F, which means that the storied (and notorious) brand has once again become a great place to look for stylish staples at affordable prices. This camp collar shirt has two convenient pockets and an oversized leaf-print design. It’s made from a breathable blend of cotton and viscose.
3. COS Relaxed Fit Patch Pocket Shirt
BEST MINIMALIST
COS makes minimalist pieces with an emphasis on unique fabrics. This relaxed shirt is made from wool, which is a pretty surprising material for a short-sleeve summer shirt. But wool is actually naturally temperature regulating, in addition to being durable. There are two large patch pockets and a hidden placket for a streamlined, minimal look.
4. J Crew Short-Sleeve Polo Sweater
BEST KNIT
Part sweater, part polo, part short-sleeve shirt — this J. Crew piece might sound like a mish-mash, but it’s actually a classic-looking piece that works well with casual jeans and tailored pieces alike. It’s made from 100% cotton for an easy-to-wear and easy-to-care-for item.
5. Club Monaco Stretch-Cotton Seersucker Shirt
BEST FABRIC
Club Monaco’s boxy-fit short-sleeve shirt offers a modern take on the seersucker shirt, with a subtle grid print and an oversized pocket with a metal snap button. The shirt is made from breathable seersucker cotton, with elastane added for stretch.
6. Dickies Men’s Short Sleeve Chambray Shirt
BEST WORKWEAR SHIRT
Looking for a short-sleeve button-down shirt that you don’t have to be too precious with? Dickies has you covered. This shirt is made from a cotton/polyester blend, and it has two chest pockets with a pencil pocket. The contrast stitching gives it a workwear look (as does the Dickies logo at the hem).
7. Polo Ralph Lauren Short-Sleeve Oxford Shirt
BEST PREPPY SHIRT
For something with a little bit of a prep attitude, Polo Ralph Lauren’s short-sleeve button-down is cut from Oxford cloth and has a button-down collar with a Polo player logo on the chest. It comes in white, light blue or pink, and is made from 100% cotton.
8. Our Legacy Black Box Short Sleeve Shirt
BEST DESIGNER
This shirt from Our Legacy has a psychedelic red, blue and pink print that they call “Strobe,” making for a shirt that’s ready to party without falling into the tacky territory of a “going out shirt.” It’s made from a breathable blend of cotton and linen, and it has genuine mother-of-pearl buttons and a discreet chest pocket.
9. Madewell Easy Indigo Short Sleeve Shirt
BEST CASUAL SHIRT
It took a while for Madewell to get into menswear, but their entry is more than welcome — the brand is a great source for classic casual pieces, like this short-sleeve camp collar shirt. It has two pockets and a subtle stripe pattern that gives it a workwear-influenced look.
10. Theory Coppolo Short-Sleeve Shirt
BEST LINEN
Keep it breezy yet put together in this shirt from Theory, which is made from 100% linen. It comes in white or a light pink color, and it has a flat hem that makes it ideal for wearing untucked.