When it comes to summer dressing, the best dressed women I know are creatures of habit. Once the temperatures rise, like clockwork, the dress code shifts to breezy spring dresses, relaxed sandals, and of course, linen shirts. Artfully crumpled and inherently breezy, the best linen shirts possess the magical ability to instantly whisk you away to a holiday state of mind. Yet, those in the fashion know have long taken their linen shirts out of the vacation suitcase for a spin on the capital's street thanks to their ability to do so much with barely any effort.
Dreading the stuffy commute to work at the height of summer? Simply pair a tailored linen shirt with your go-to work trousers. Looking for an effortless way to dress up your jeans and sandals for a weekend brunch? Throw on an oversized iteration and leave it partly unbuttoned. Of course if you're heading on holiday, a linen shirt serves as a great beach coverup for your favourite bikini and will also work wonders with your trusty linen trousers for an easy co-ord look.
All of which to say, the best linen shirts will get your through summer, and make sure you look good doing it. Naturally, linen's textured ease lends itself well to a classic palette of beige, white and black, but if our favourite influencers are any indication, there's a wide variety of shades to choose from this season: from grounded khaki and chocolate brown to pops of red.
As with any wardrobe staple, an array of luxury brands have delivered a brilliant line-up of linen shirts: from Deiji Studios' relaxed washed linen classics to Zimmermann's embellished and embroidered designs. If you're not keen on a splurge, there are plenty of great linen shirts across the high street, too. Case in point, the influencer-loved Arket Loose Linen Shirt. Arket's oversized button-down shines in its simple craftsmanship and universally flattering silhouette. While the white colourway remains a key favourite splashed across Instagram, its also available in light blue and dusty brown, both of which are worthy additions to any summer wardrobe.
Shop: Arket's Linen Shirt
www.arket.com
Thrown over a bikini or neatly tucked into your favourite blue jeans, there's simply no outfit or occasion Arket's loose linen shirty can't elevate. The popular white iteration is slightly see-through which only adds to it's carefree appeal.
From playful short-sleeved designs to polished classics, we're simply spoilt for choice when it comes to linen shirts this summer. Happily, we've sorted through the online racks to bring you the best of them below.
Shop: The Best Linen Shirts 2025
www.zara.com
Zara is no stranger to offering the kind of staples that immediatley make it into our carts. Simple and relaxed, this olive green linen shirt is proving incedibly popular with the fashion forwrad thanks to its easy wearability and polished finish.
www.cos.com
Similar to Arket's viral hit, COS' linen shirt is cut for an oversized boxy fit except it features shorter sleeves and comes in a SS25's trendy butter yellow hue. Style it with the matching shorts and a pair of suede sandals for an easy resort-wear look, or opt for the long-sleeved oversized iteration for a more elegant finish.
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www.uniqlo.com
That Uniqlo is a fashion holy grail, especially for trusty staples, is no secret. A brand bestseller, this easy linen button-down is cut for a relaxed fit and is available in an impressive 13 shades, meaning there's a colour for every taste and occasion.
www.net-a-porter.com
Another summer necessity, you simply can't do without - an embroidered blouse - and this one from Zimmermann is as elegant as it gets. The boxy linen shirt is detailed with intricate broderie anglaise florals and paisely motifs and finished with a dainty scalloped hem. Whether you wear the high neck shirt with the matching shorts or with a white maxi skirt, it's perfect for dressier occasions.
www.withnothingunderneath.com
One of Meghan Markle's favourite shirt brands, With Nothing Underneath is well known in fashion circles for its brilliant shorts and The Boyfriend is a particular favourite thanks to its lightweight linen construction and tailored fit. Customise it with embroidery and it's the perfect summer staple for everything from layering over a bikini to styling with a denim skirt.
www2.hm.com
Another great linen basic, this blush pink shirt from H&M is cut for a slightly loose fit that's practically made for pairing with trousers and maxi skirts to work.
www.nobodyschild.com
For a feminine spin on linen shirts, look to Nobody's Child's tie-front design which is perfect for laidback styling whether you pair it with jeans or a mini skirt.
www.gap.co.uk
For date nights and rooftop sundowners, slip into this cherry red linen shirt from Gap that's equal parts comfortable and striking.
www.anthropologie.com
Printed linen isn't all that common but Anthropologie does it well with a fun graphic spin. Covered in coastal motifs, this short sleeve linen-blend shirt is a holiday essential that comes with matching shorts for an easy co ord outfit.
www.boden.com
From catering to regular and petite sizes, to offering an assortment of colours and prints, Boden has really thought of every taste, preference and need when it came to crafting the Sienna shirt. Cut for a tailored fit, it'll make looking stylish effortless this summer.
www.massimodutti.com
Inspired by menswear summer staple, the camp collar shirt, Massimo Dutti's open collar linen shirt is infused with a certain Italian sprezzatura that'll carry you through many summers to come with ease.
Main image credits: ©Instagram/@thealiceedit
Hitanshi Kamdar is a senior commerce writer for Grazia. Hitanshi is always on the hunt for the latest trends, emerging designers and the internet’s most bizarre style discourse. When not writing, she can be found IDing outfits during Netflix binges and shopping for the latest It-girl shoe trends.