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For a couple months now, it's been time to say goodbye to your boots, coats, and jeans. It's summer—finally—and men's fashion has fully transitioned to sandals, shorts, and breezy linen shirts.
If your current warm-weather clothing feels stale, don't fret. We selected the best menswear essentials to get you through Labor Day. Whether you're dressing for beach days, outdoor weddings, garden happy hours, or barbecues, the pieces on this list will mix and match for every occasion. Oh, and they're immensely packable.
For more style inspiration, check out our detailed roundups of the best linen pants, white T-shirts, light jackets, and casual shoes.
Related: The 10 Men's Fashion Trends You Should Know for 2024
Men's Summer Fashion Essentials at a Glance
- Best Sandals: Olukai Mea Ola Sandals
- Best White Sneakers: Greats Royale 2.0
- Best White T-Shirt: American Giant Premium Slub Crew Tee
- Best Summer Shirt: Tommy Bahama Silk Camp Shirt
- Best Shorts: Taylor Stitch The Matlow Short
- Best Dress Shirt: SuitSupply Twill Tailored Fit Shirt
- Best Casual Shoes: SeaVees Sixty Six Sneaker
- Best Swim Trunks: Fair Harbor The Bayberry Trunk
- Best Sunglasses: Randolph Engineering USA Gold Classic Aviator Sunglasses
- Best Polo Shirt: Alex Mill Vintage Wash Polo Shirt
- Best Tank Top: Reigning Champ Lightweight Jersey Tank Top
- Best Linen Pants: Todd Snyder Italian Linen Beach Pant
- Best Light Jacket: Nobis Fisherman Jacket
- Best Belt: Tanner Goods Classic Belt
Best Summer Tops for Men
Best Summer Shirt: Tommy Bahama Silk Camp Shirt
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Men's Journal senior editor Chris Hatler named the Tommy Bahama Silk Camp Shirt the best summer shirt of 2024. Tommy Bahama is almost synonymous with summer, and the brand's lightweight silk button-downs are the ideal top when poolside or out on the town. Dare we suggest wearing the mangrove jungle print with a tan suit for stylish warm-weather wedding attire?
Best Tank Top: Reigning Champ Lightweight Jersey Tank Top
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Tank tops are necessary for keeping cool on hot days. Men's Journal contributor Michael Stefanov selected the Reigning Champ Lightweight Jersey Tank Top as the best of 2024.
"The comfort, fit, drape, and proportions ... are all perfect," he writes in our best tank tops roundup. That's thanks to lightweight, premium cotton and its loose-but-not-too-loose silhouette.
Best Polo Shirt: Alex Mill Vintage Wash Polo Shirt
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Stefanov, who also penned our best polo shirts article, found the Alex MIll Vintage Wash Polo Shirt to be the all-around top choice. It works great as a casual piece but can also be dressed up, making it an ideal pinch hitter for any situation. The vintage wash looks distinguished and well-worn, and because it's made from soft 100-percent cotton, it'll be a lasting member of your summer wardrobe.
Best White T-Shirt: American Giant Premium Slub Crew Tee
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After trying dozens of white tees, Hatler found that the best on the market right now is the American Giant Premium Slub Crew Tee. Due to its 100-percent slub cotton makeup and uneven weave (which introduces extra air pockets in the fabric), it's comfortable and breathable for summer. Even better: After multiple wash-and-dry cycles, it still looks brand new.
Best Dress Shirt: SuitSupply Twill Tailored Fit Shirt
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The SuitSupply Twill Tailored Fit Shirt flatters every body type, which is why Men's Journal contributor Paul Schrodt named it his No. 1 dress shirt. He spoke to stylist Krista Roser, who works with the rapper Jelly Roll, and she says it's one of her go-to dress shirts to pull for clients. If it's good enough for celebs, then it's good enough for you. And luckily, it doesn't come at a celebrity-inflated price point.
Best Light Jacket: Nobis Fisherman Jacket
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With durable water repellant (DWR) coating and a classic silhouette, the Nobis Fisherman Jacket is our favorite light jacket for summer. Stefanov placed it atop our best lighweight jackets roundup because it's also machine-washable, with pit zip vents to keep you cool and an adjustable hood to fit any head.
Best Summer Bottoms for Men
Best Swim Trunks: Fair Harbor The Bayberry Trunk
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Style writer and Men's Journal contributor Dan Michel loves the Fair Harbor The Bayberry Trunk so much that he named it our top swim trunk of the year. It has a knit liner instead of the traditional itchy netting, and comes in a multitude of colors and patterns (including the featured floral print above).
Best Linen Pants: Todd Snyder Italian Linen Beach Pants
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Linen is a cool, durable, and breathable material that goes hand-in-hand with summer. So, whatever event you're attending, whether formal or casual, calls for the best linen pants. Our favorites, Todd Snyder Italian Linen Beach Pants, are breezy and elegant, with an adjustable cotton drawcord and numerous pockets for your phone. wallet, and keys.
Best Shorts: Taylor Stitch The Matlow Short
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Nice shorts are the key piece to a great summer outfit. Stefanov, who used to be anti-shorts, came around thanks to Taylor Stitch The Matlow Shorts, which he named the best shorts of 2024. They're cuffed at the opening for a little flair, an homage to '50s and '60s dockside style, and they're made from 100-percent comfy cotton. Not only that, but they'll look great with sneakers or dressier shoes—dealer's choice.
Best Summer Footwear for Men
Best Sandals: Olukai Mea Ola Sandals
NFL Hall of Famer Jason Kelce is famous for wearing these exact sandals everywhere, and we understand why. Olukai Mea Ola Sandals, our best sandals of 2024, are made with durable leather but have an EVA foam midsole for added comfort. You'll never experience plantar fasciitis after a beach day ever again.
Best White Sneakers: Greats Royale 2.0
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We deemed Greats Royale 2.0 the best white sneakers on the market. Men's Journal senior commerce editor Anthony Mastracci writes that the sneakers have "subtle but interesting additions, like a tack stitch, a mixed-media quarter panel, and gold foil branding on the tongue and heel."
The brand focuses on high-quality, responsible manufacturing, and that mission is evident in these fantastic sneakers.
Best Casual Shoes: SeaVees Sixty Six Sneaker
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If you prefer a more laid-back sneaker, try SeaVees Sixty Six Sneaker, our top casual shoes of 2024. Schrodt selected them as the best because they're so versatile.
“These would look good with anything from your favorite Alex Mill jeans and a pocket tee to a green seersucker suit for wedding season,” Nic Screws, a stylist who has dressed Rami Malek and Russell Westbrook, told Schrodt.
We agree. The tan canvas looks subtle yet refined, and can definitely pair with any pants or shorts you have in your closet.
Best Summer Accessories for Men
Best Sunglasses: Randolph Engineering USA Gold Classic Aviator Sunglasses
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Made in the U.S. by a family-owned and -operated company, Randolph Engineering USA Gold Classic Aviator Sunglasses are marquee shades. Yes, they're pricey, but for that cost, you get a high-quality pair that will last you a lifetime. It doesn't hurt that they have a lifetime warranty as well, which is why they're the best sunglasses of 2024.
Best Belt: Tanner Goods Classic Belt
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Don't overlook the importance of a nice belt. While subtle, the best belts can enhance every outfit. Get yourself a leather one for a durable, long-lasting accessory. Our favorite is Tanner Goods Classic Belt, which, at 1.25 inches, is the perfect medium width. There are a few color options, too, so you can pick what works best for your wardrobe. Schrodt, who rounded up the best belts, writes: "You won’t be making a loud statement. You’ll simply look sharp."
What to Look for When Choosing the Best Summer Fashion Essentials
The best summer style essentials are, well, stylish—but they also are functional for hot days. Therefore, all the clothes and shoes above are made with comfortable, breathable materials that are durable enough to last you multiple summers. The accessories are similarly high-quality.
Our list doubles as perfect carry-on bag's worth of items. So, when you book your next long weekend, you can be confident that you have all you need (sans underwear and socks—but we assume you already have that covered).
As trends come and go, we chose pieces that we believe are classics that will stand the test of time. Bearing a post-apocalyptic future where we're all dressed Mad Max-style, nothing on this list will look out of place in five years.
Why You Should Trust Us
Men's Journal relies on knowledgable contributors—including writers Paul Schrodt, Dan Michel, and Michael Stefanov, and editor Chris Hatler—to recommend top menswear items. Each contributor spoke with professionals from the fashion industry, adding an extra backbone of expertise.
Our contributors tried most of the pieces on this list themselves. But anything they couldn't test, menswear experts like Nolan Hayes, Albert Muzquiz, Krista Roser, Nic Screws, and Nolan White vouched for.
Related: The 25 Best Men's Khaki Pants of 2024
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