I treat myself to a new beach shirt every summer. Or rather, I treat myself to at least one. It’s my way of celebrating the start of the best season there is and getting ready for any adventure I might have. Getting your hands on any of the items on this list of the best beach shirts for men can help you take your beach look up a level.
The beach is definitely one of those places you want to look and feel your best. Whether you’re on vacation or at your local swim spot, stepping onto the beach means that you’re stepping into view of the whole community. Everybody goes to the beach, and, like it or not, everybody pays attention to how everyone else looks on the beach.
Let’s get right into the recommendations.
Key Takeaways
After looking through tons of options online and at one of my local malls, I came up with this list of the 7 best beach shirts for men. I’ve already bought a few of these myself, so I’ll just have to hope that I don’t run into you at the beach while you’re also wearing one of my top picks for the upcoming season.
I’ve chosen the Neem Recycled Italian Sky Horizontal Popover Shirt as the top of the heap of the best beach shirts for men. Its casual cut-away collar and (very) deep three-button placket perfectly suit the beach, and the light blue and white stripes will look great against the sea and the sky.
I’ve also chosen a more luxurious option for when you’re on the beach but on the way to a restaurant afterward (Aurélien Pistache Linen Bayside Shirt), as well as a more rugged tank that I’d wear to a more remote and rugged beach that requires a hike (DEPARTWEST Slub Knit Tank Top).
Why it’s great: The most notable feature of the Neem Recycled Italian Sky Horizontal Popover Shirt is its plunging, three-button neckline. Having the freedom to unbutton the polo can really help you make sure you’re going to feel cool at the beach while looking cool a.f.
Who is this for? This is one of the best beach shirts for men. It’s a really versatile shirt that’s tough enough to wear in rugged surroundings (on account of its 100% cotton material) but also refined enough to wear on a city beach or to the cafe afterward.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Be a little careful about the sizing if you decide to order this shirt, as Neem is up front about the fact that it’ll shrink during the first wash. It might be worth going up a full size.
Material: 100% cotton | Sizes: S–XL | Colors: 1 | Care: Machine wash, hang to wash
Why it’s great: I really love the look and feel of this amazing beach shirt from Aurélien. You can really feel the quality of the linen they’ve used to make the shirt. And you can be sure that nobody’s going to look classier than you on the beach when you’ve got this on.
Who is this for? This is definitely the most luxurious option on the list, and it will look just as good over swimming shorts as it will under a blazer. It’s one of the best beach shirts for men who have the cash to splash on it.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Unlike other options on this list, the Aurélien Pistache Linen Bayside Shirt is a slim cut. However, it’s not really a performance dress shirt or anything, so you’re unlikely to really feel constricted if you’re just chilling.
Material: 100% Linen | Sizes: S–3XL | Colors: 1 | Care: Machine wash
Why it’s great: This super cool beach-ready polo shirt from The Resort Co will be the first thing in your suitcase if you decide to pick it up. It’s a classy piece that doesn’t look quite as formal as the Aurélien Pistache Linen Bayside Shirt we just looked at. It’s still one of the best beach shirts for men.
Who is this for? If you often find yourself sea-side in somewhere like Italy or the South of France (or you want to look like you do), then this is the shirt for you.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The other color option of this shirt is solid black, which I wouldn’t really recommend for the beach.
Material: 70% Viscose, 30% Linen | Sizes: S–2XL | Colors: 2 | Care: Hand wash
Why it’s great: One of the best beach shirts for men, this simple yet beautiful short-sleeve button-up is perfect for hot summer days, on that you can look equally good in wearing it open or buttoned up. I really like all four of the color options they have, but the sand color is the one I went for.
Who is this for? This is my top choice on the list for wearing with a pair of beach pants (which we’ve also covered in this helpful list).
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Make sure that you wear sunscreen if you’re choosing a short-sleeve shirt like this, since you’ll be leaving a lot of skin exposed.
Material: 100% Linen | Sizes: XS–2XL | Colors: 4 | Care: Hand wash
Why it’s great: This collarless beach shirt from COOFANDY is one of the best beach shirts for guys that you can find on Amazon. You’ll look really laid back when wearing it, whichever of the 30 color options you choose.
Who is this for? If you’re looking to add to your summer wardrobe on a budget, then this is a great option. Since there are so many different options, you could even consider ordering a couple.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The color on these can fade a bit more quickly than your average shirt. Perhaps go with white (perfect for beachy vibes, anyway) or wash it by hand.Â
Material: Cotton and Linen | Sizes: S–5XL | Colors: 30 | Care: Machine wash
Why it’s great: This unique yet affordable short-sleeved pullover from Rela Bota has a really cool V-neck with a drawstring that can help you look right at home while you’re on vacation. And even better, the brand offers 25 (!) different versions of the shirt.
That means you should definitely be able to find a pattern that really suits your style. It also means that this is undoubtedly one of the best beach shirts for men.
Who is this for? I’d recommend this shirt for anyone who likes to look casual but unique at the beach. I’d also point out that it works really well with chains and other necklaces.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: This shirt is a cotton-polyester blend, which might raise the eyebrows of someone who’s used to all-natural fabrics.
Material: Polyester and Cotton | Sizes: M–5XL | Colors: 25 | Care: Machine wash
Why it’s great: And, for the final item on our list of the best men’s beach shirts, we’re breaking the mold and recommending a great tank top. The Slub Knit Tank Top comes in a really cool black and white blended fabric that looks really unique.
Who is this for? Those who can’t wait for the summer to start wearing tank tops will love this one from DEPARTWEST.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: I’d recommend sizing up if you’re planning to wear this to a sandy beach, as a tank top that’s too tight can become uncomfortable in that setting.
Material: 60% Cotton, 40% Polyester | Sizes: S–2XL | Colors: 1 | Care: Machine wash
Buying Considerations for The Best Beach Shirts For Men
Material
Ensuring that you’re getting a shirt that’s made from a light and breathable material is even more important when it comes to men’s beach shirts than it is normally. And that’s saying a lot because it’s always very important.
When you’re on the beach, though, you want to find a shirt that feels comfortable to wear but is also capable of protecting yourself from the sun. Since some people are more sensitive to the sun than others, the degree of protection that a beach offers will be more or less important.
You might feel comfortable out in the sun in just a tank top, though, which is why there are also some options like that on the list of the best men’s beach shirts.
Size & Fit
Nobody wants to wear something that’s going to feel tight and constricting on the beach. That be even more uncomfortable than usual once salt, sand, and sunscreen all get involved.
That’s why I always recommend loose shirts on the beach. Even if you’re planning on wearing a tank top, it should never be skin-tight. Speaking for myself, I tend to feel the most comfortable in a loose, long-sleeved button-up.
Color
Although you do have a lot of latitude in choosing the color and style of a beach shirt, you generally don’t want to go with anything that’s too dark. After all, a black shirt will absorb the sun’s rays and transfer a lot of that heat to you.
Both graphic prints and lighter colors, like sky blue, pastel greens, or reds, can work really well in the bright sunlight you’ll find on the beach.
How We Chose
Beach shirts are a huge category in men’s fashion. As a result, you have a ton of options when you’re looking for one online or offline. We combed through hundreds of them to come up with this list of the best beach shirts for men.
We were focused mostly on making sure that all our recommendations are made from top-quality materials and feature thoughtful designs that are going to look great on the beach. We also considered the following four factors:
Brand Reputation: We always make sure that each brand we recommend has a track record of providing their customers with high-quality garments.
Customer Reviews: Getting a sense of what other people think about a product is always important for us. We relentlessly track down authentic customer reviews to ensure that we’re not recommending anything that has disappointed other guys who’ve ordered it.
Price: Although hefty price tags aren’t uncommon in the world of men’s fashion, we always ensure that any product we recommend offers enough value to match what it costs.
Transparency: Finally, the transparency with which a company publishes info about everything from the sources of the materials it uses to its return policy is important for us. You won’t find any shady companies here.
Why Trust Us?
The editorial staff at FashionBeans are all big-time travelers, and we definitely used our experiences visiting the sunnier locations in the world to put together this list of the best beach shirts for men.
Whether it was memories of beachside cafes in Italy or remote patches of sand in Bali, we looked into our closets (and at our vacation photos) for this one.
Thinking about our own wardrobes always helps us pick up on our own tastes and experiences, as well as alerting us to any blindspots we might have. All that work then guides our review of the options that are out there this summer.
Once we’ve all looked at hundreds of products and come up with a short list, we can usually agree on a list of six or seven of the most standout items. And that’s exactly what you’ve seen here.
Final VerdictÂ
At the end of the day, we placed the Neem Recycled Italian Sky Horizontal Popover Shirt at the top of our list of the best beach shirts for men. It’s a classic blue and white striped pattern and a huge three-button vee makes it a classy and versatile option for the refined beachgoer.
FAQ
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Yes, lots of the best beach shirts for men are made out of cotton. It works really well because it’s a natural fiber that allows lots of air to circulate, keeping you cool. However, you should make sure that the shirt you’re looking at for the beach isn’t made from a cotton that’s woven too thick, as that might end up causing you to overheat.
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Well, opinions definitely vary on this question. In general, a loose shirt made from a light and breathable material is your best bet for the beach. But a long-sleeve button-up, t-shirt, or short-sleeved polo can all have those qualities, so the style is totally up to you.
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Cotton and linen are two of the most popular fabrics for men’s beach shirts because they’re very light and breathable, allowing fresh air in and moisture out.
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