What is a Camp Shirt?

Spring and summer bring plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventures, getaway vacations, and social events, yet when it comes to fashion, our choices can feel a bit limited. As temperatures rise, it's all too easy to slip into a routine of mixing and matching the same few men's clothing styles and basic wardrobe staples.

While there's nothing wrong with this, it doesn't suit every occasion and can become quite dull over time. So, how can we inject some flair into our warm-weather attire? The answer lies in camp shirts for men.

But what is a camp shirt exactly? Known for its open, flat collar, notched lapel, and straight hem, the camp collar shirt is a quintessential spring/summer piece—one of those men's wardrobe essentials with a rich history in menswear. This style, often referred to as a Cuban collar shirt, typically features short sleeves and is made from lightweight, breathable materials like linen, silk, or cotton. Since it paved the way for the Hawaiian or "aloha" shirt, camp collar shirts often come in vibrant patterns, but you'll also find various versatile, solid color options to suit a minimalist taste.

How to Wear a Camp Shirt

The best camp collar shirts share two key attributes: a flat notched collar and an effortless chill vibe. For nearly a century, they've been transporting guys into a vacation mindset, but in the last decade, they've made a comeback on both the streets and at resorts. 

So, how to style a collared shirt to feel your best? They pair perfectly with shorts and swim trunks, fit snugly under suit jackets, and go hand in hand with chinos and summer pants. From around June to September, slipping one on feels like the most natural choice. Another beauty of camp collars is the vast array of options. With styles ranging from simple to funky and even quirky, there's something for everyone to explore. While you might hear the camp collar referred to as a cabana collar, the key feature—having no collar stand means it lies flat and resembles a lapel—remains consistent. You'll know you've found the right camp shirt when it makes you feel like a globe-trotting island explorer.

The bottom line is that the best summer camp collar shirt outfit ideas can take you to a multitude of places this season, even if you're staying close to home. In this men's style guide, we'll explore how to wear a collared shirt in different combinations and highlight the main types of camp shirts available.

Linen Camp Shirt

When summer collared shirts meet the ideal summer fabric, a delightful transformation occurs. A linen camp shirt featuring a regular camp collar pays homage to its heritage while truly shining on those humid days or when you need to layer it beneath a suit jacket for your friend's beach wedding celebration.

Everyday Camp Shirt

While many of the nice camping shirts can be worn without much thought, there's definitely something appealing about a shirt—whether notched collar shirts or else—that's so clean and straightforward that you can grab it from your closet without a second glance. You'll find that you can wear these minimalist pieces repeatedly, to the point where you might end up creating a go-to uniform based on camp collars.

Dressy Camp Shirt

The open-collared shirt might have a tailored look, but it's essentially a casual piece—much more in tune with board shorts than a corporate boardroom. However, plenty of summer days call for a relaxed yet polished option: think weddings, special dates, clubs, parties, etc. This is where a dressier camp shirt shines—perhaps a silk shirt or one that adds a touch of luster.

Vacation Camp Shirt

Every camp shirt deserves a place in your travel bag, but if you step away from the daily grind, why not embrace a Hawaiian vibe and add a bit of flair to your wardrobe? Whether you prefer bold botanical prints, playful animal designs, or a hint of allure with lace or mesh knits, plenty of choices are waiting for you. To keep things balanced, pair your Hawaiian camp collar shirt with something more understated, like chino shorts or a relaxed suit jacket. Explore our vacation camp shirt ideas for guys in the sections below.

Ways to Style a Camp Collar Shirt

With T-Shirt

You can always rock your short-sleeve camp shirt unbuttoned for a laid-back look. Just pair it with a neutral tee and matching casual pants, and you're all set. To truly embrace the casual camp fashion vibe, when the weather heats up, swap out socks and white sneakers for a stylish moccasin or espadrille.

For our Cuban collar shirt outfit ideas, we styled the Short sleeve shirt with a trendy floral print layered over a black Regular fit t-shirt, both from Les Deux's new collection.

With Shorts

A camp collar button-up with shorts outfit is like the classic combination of peanut butter and jelly—just perfect together. Since camp collar shirts are designed to have a more relaxed and oversized fit, choose your shorts wisely to create a balanced look. Here's a tip: don't underestimate the power of accessories—they can completely transform the vibe of your men's vacation shirt. A baseball cap and sleek white sneakers work great for an iced coffee break. If you're off to the beach, switch it up with a panama hat, sandals, and a towel tucked into a tote bag.

Take a look at the Printed Short Sleeve Linen Shirt alongside the White Drawstring Linen Shorts from 120% Lino. These two are crafted to elevate any vacation ensemble.

With Jeans

To achieve a stylish look, wear your button-up camp collar shirt untucked with a pair of light-wash denim. Complete the outfit with either sneakers or loafers for a trendy vibe. If you're looking to step up your style game, layer the camp collar shirt over another shirt or a contrasting tee, then tie a denim jacket around your waist for added flair.

The Short Sleeve shirt from Les Deux, featuring subtle floral embroidery, is an ideal choice for this ensemble. Pair it with Tapered jeans, and embrace those street-style vibes.

With Casual Pants

Pair a camp collar shirt with dark-colored pants for a striking summer look. Nothing screams summer quite like a light-colored shirt. To create a sharp contrast, opt for darker pants, whether you choose brown chinos, grey dress trousers, or a sleek black linen option.

Our top choice for this ensemble is the black Linen tailored trousers from 120% Lino. We've teamed them up with a versatile everyday linen beach shirt men can rely on for comfort and style—the Short-sleeve patch-pocket linen shirt in beige from Beige Brown.

With Accessories

How about exploring some fashion-forward beach flat-collar shirt outfits? These looks draw inspiration from vintage styles, with a strong emphasis on accessories. For instance, we love the chic combination of men's Hawaiian shirts paired with caps and scarves—try tying the scarf around your neck or tucking it beneath the cap, depending on your styling vision.

The Short sleeve shirt from Les Deux serves as an ideal retro base for this ensemble. Add in the black Logo-embroidered hat from Tiger of Sweden, and then jazz it up with personal touches that reflect your style—be it a scarf, some chain necklaces, or any other accessories that complement your overall look.

With Relaxed Tailoring

A suit with a camp collar shirt is surprisingly easy to pull off. The trick is to let the shirt take center stage. Avoid overly flashy suits or heavy accessorizing; simplicity is key. For a bright event like a beach wedding, opt for a lighter-colored suit and complement it with a men's long-sleeve camp collar shirt. If you're aiming for an edgier look for date night, go for deeper tones. When it comes to accessories, keep it minimal—stick to a pocket square, stylish sunglasses, and delicate jewelry. This formal short-sleeve shirt outfit speaks for itself, so remember that less is more.

We styled the green Short-sleeve patch-pocket linen shirt from Beige Brown with a beige linen suit by Tiger of Sweden, featuring Linen straight-fit trousers and a Linen blazer. Just add your own finishing touches and shine at that cocktail party.