The 10 Best Linen Shirts for Summoning Big Vacation Energy

• Comes in Regular and Tall sizes
• Looks good with a slight wrinkle—don't fret if you don't have a steamer

• Sleeves run slightly long

Sometimes the best linen shirt is the most obvious one. In this case: a classic, casual style from the good folks over at BR. This is the linen shirt you bring on vacation with you because it's just as good unbuttoned over a tank top at the beachside bar as it is buttoned-up with khakis and dress shoes for dinner. It's easy to style and soft to the touch, and it looks good on anyone.

• Has a chest pocket
• Ridiculously soft fabric

• Runs slim

Todd Snyder makes one of my favorite linen shirts ever. Why? Because the brand's Irish linen is so damn good. This prewashed shirt has the softness of one you've owned and loved for years. It's ruggedly handsome, and you can dress it up or down as you please. Plus, the handy chest pocket is always very appreciated; put a pocket square in there as Will does or hang your favorite sunnies from it for a laid-back, summery vibe.

• Great price
• Super versatile

• White colorway is slightly see-through

A no-frills, no-fuss linen shirt that you don't have to think twice about. At only 40 bucks, this style from Uniqlo is a steal. As you can see, it looks damn good, and I can assure you that it feels damn good too. This pick looks great with pleated pants, jeans, shorts, whatever—it's going to quickly become a favorite in your rotation and a building block of your wardrobe.

• Available in Regular and Slim fits
• Prewashed to avoid future shrinkage

• On the pricier side

Seldom in my life have I interacted with fabric as buttery smooth and soft as Luca Faloni's linen. This is luxury in a button-down; it's breezy and lightweight, highly breathable, and incredibly chic, even if you're just throwing it on atop a pair of swim trunks.

• Great price
• Hypoallergenic, sustainable fabric

• Sleeves run long

Quince comes in strong with an affordable linen shirt that you may as well stock up on—you're going to be wearing this style a lot. It's great for the office, for the beach, for the bar, for errands; wherever life takes you, let it take you there in soft, relaxed linen like this.

• Can customize shirt fit and length
• Has a chest pocket

• Sleeves run long

We love this Bonobos linen shirt so much we wore it twice at the same time. You can certainly button this style up and wear it with dress pants and a blazer, but the soft, pre-loved feel lends itself nicely to casual styling too. It's bound to be the perfect fit as well, thanks to Bonobos's plentiful options; get the tailored look without ever leaving your home to do it.

• Can add a monogram
• Available in five different fits

• Some buyers report it shrinks in the first wash

J. Crew has one of the most iconic and beloved linen shirts on the market. Its Baird McNutt Irish linen is impeccable in quality—durable, smooth, lightweight, soft as a cloud. This is a shirt you can add a monogram on too, so you can stake a good claim on it with your initials. Trust me when I say everyone is going to plot how to steal this from your closet to wear for themselves.

• Available in Classic and Slim fits
• Lightweight without being sheer

• No chest pocket

A Polo Ralph Lauren button-down is a certifiable closet staple. A linen one—well, that's just a no-brainer. It's soft and breezy, perfect for summer, and no less elevated than its oxford-shirt counterpart.

• Available in Regular and Tall fits
• Easy, relaxed silhouette

• Runs slightly loose

Abercrombie does a linen button-up as it does all other things: with undoubted coolness. This shirt has a relaxed fit, so you won't look as stiff and buttoned-up as you might feel in other button-downs. The silhouette is also perfect for long, lazy summer days. Don't think twice about your fit; just throw this on and you're golden.

• Sleek band collar look
• Available in Slim and Contemporary fits

• Limited color options

Sometimes you've gotta ditch the point collar and go for a band collar instead. The contemporary, minimalist look is sleek and stylish, and it certainly helps that Eton crafts this style from ridiculously nice, luxurious linen.

Here at Esquire, we're menswear experts, which means our standards are pretty high.

When it came to choosing the ten best linen shirts, our editors narrowed down a long, long list of all the linen shirts we've tried. These are the ones we love best, and they exceed our standards of comfort and style. We've actually dealt with and felt these products in person—that's why you can see them all being worn on our buddy Will, right here in Esquire's offices. Trust us—these have undergone all the tests, and they take the cake.

What's the best way to wash linen?

Generally, linen is safe to put in your washing machine. You can wash it by hand with lukewarm water and detergent if you want to be really careful, but a gentle spin cycle with warm or cool water and similar colors should do the trick. But the best rule of thumb, always, is to double-check the manufacturer's specific instructions.

Does linen wrinkle easily?

Unfortunately, yes. Linen is very prone to wrinkles. There are steps to keep it less wrinkly that don't involve an iron or steamer. They include hang-drying it or laying it on a flat, ventilated surface. But just know, when you're buying a linen shirt, you've gotta be willing to iron it every once in a while too.

Does linen shrink easily?

Fortunately, no! Linen is great at retaining its shape and size after washes and wear. Linen can shrink, but it'll be less noticeable than in your cotton shirts.

We're not going to say something is great unless it's actually great.

Every product in Esquire's roundups is carefully chosen by our fashion and e-commerce teams. When it comes to linen shirts, you can rest assured that we're hand-selecting styles that we've personally tried, tested, and loved, along with options that the rest of our stylish colleagues here at Esquire endorse for their own wear.

We've had to go through a lot of trial and error, and these linen shirts are the ones that are simply the best. Every pick on this list (and our other lists!) comes from years of wearing different things, seeing what we love and what we don't, and going from there. No two tastes are the same, and no two men are the same. Your proverbial mileage may vary. But if you're looking for the right place to start, with advice from folks who care (possibly too much!) about this sort of stuff, this is the place to be.

Photographs by Florence Sullivan for Esquire

Styling by Alfonso Fernández Navas

Shot on Will Garden