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If you were to power-rank clothes by their DGAF-ness, the best camp shirts would land near the very top. Partly, that’s because they’ve been donned by a certain type of nonconformist poster boy for going on 60 years now: Hunter S. Thompson, Elvis, Russell Westbrook, Ethan Hawke in Reality Bites, just to name a few. But mostly, it's because that’s precisely how these camp shirts were designed to look. The two-tiered camp collar (hence the name) is meant to lay flat and open at the neck—no ties allowed. (It’s no wonder some folks call ‘em “vacation shirts.”) Right-now versions trade a muumuu's airiness for a more boxy silhouette, delivering a shirt that’s inherently nonchalant, and all kinds of cool.
At the moment, we’re partial to raucously patterned camp shirts—we’ve been championing floral-print Hawaiian shirts and bold-striped bowling shirts for a minute now. But, as you’ll see among our cream-of-the-crop picks below, designers are making them for all tastes and budgets. Try one tucked into highwater trousers, unbuttoned over a T-shirt (or if you’re really on one, over nothing at all), or lapels-out with your best off-duty suit. Whatever you decide, just make sure you try one. Here are the 21 best camp collar shirts worth slipping on right away.
The Best Camp Shirts Shopping Guide
- The Camp Shirt to Get Before Summer: Bather traveler shirt, $150
- Another No-Brainer Summer Pick: Everlane "The Linen Camp" shirt, $78
- The Museum-Worthy Pick: Karu Research camp shirt, $455
- The No-Frills Pick: Alex Mill camp shirt, $115
- The Spring-Ready Pick: J.Crew hemp-cotton-blend camp-collar shirt, $90
- Another No-Brainer Spring Pick: Todd Snyder short sleeve summerweight shirt, $138
Don't Think Too Hard: This Is the Camp Shirt to Get Before Summer
For one GQ contributor, the quest to find the perfect camp shirt was fraught with peril. Until he stumbled across Bather's Traveler button-up, a boxy riff on a classic Hawaiian shirt cut from an airy cotton-viscose blend. The Traveler shirt was always excellent, but last year the brand added two additional pockets to the equation, a Guayabera-esque flourish that takes the whole shebang to the next level. Its breathable construction makes it ideal for warm weather layering, and those nifty trio of pockets offer a level of functionality you never knew you were missing.
Another No-Brainer Summer Pick
The name implies that you're going to be 1) outside and 2) doing some sort of activity that requires you to be moving around, so naturally you want a camp shirt that not only looks good but is extremely comfortable. Everlane's version is 100% linen, meaning it's breathable and will only soften over time (it also looks good rumpled up which is great since you probably won't have an iron on-hand). The loose, boxy shape pairs well for the outdoors or a super-casual get up while the double chest pockets scream "utility," making it, yes, an all-in-all no-brainer.
The Museum-Worthy Pick
If your idea of camp includes freshly washed linens upon check-in and complimentary breakfast for the duration of your stay then you probably don’t plan on sweating it out too much on your trip. Which means a silky number like this one from Karu Research is exactly what you’ll want to slip into while you’re sipping artisanal wine on the wooden deck of your rugged pod. The hand-blocked paisley print and patch pocket are the right balance of luxury and laid-back leisure while the relaxed silhouette will pair equally well with a pair of busted up cargos or pressed chinos—choice is yours (although if we’re being honest, we already know the answer).
The No-Frills Pick
Sometimes you just need to go to the source when you’re looking for a specific item. Alex Mill was created so founder Alex Drexler could finally get his hands on the perfect shirt, so it makes sense that they would produce a fine camp version. Their take is crafted from a soft seersucker cotton that adds just the right amount of texture to your casual fits, while the loose silhouette sits somewhere between slim and boxy, a.k.a. pretty close to perfect. It’s a shirt that does shirt extremely well so if you’re into that kind of thing, you know what to do.
The Spring-Ready Pick
You know what's kinda synonymous with camping? Dirt—lots of it. Which is why having a shirt that naturally repels infections is kinda amazing. Who knew it would come from the good folks at J.Crew? The brand’s hemp-cotton camp shirt is breathable and antimicrobial, not to mention a whole lot sturdier than your staple cotton blend so you can really get down and dirty and come out unscathed (within reason, of course). Now that you can comfortably show some skin, it’s time to embrace the short-sleeves and let loose–with some hidden safety measures in place, just in case.
Another No-Brainer Spring Pick
Few things beat a pre-washed shirt with that worn-in feel. It’s like skipping ahead a couple weeks—months, even—and getting to enjoy the best version of your garment immediately. Todd Snyder's primo summer button-up is made from 100% cotton sourced from Portugal, so it’s buttery soft at first touch. The slim fit makes this shirt more suited for leisurely outdoor activities than, say, scaling a mountain, but the lightweight fabric is guaranteed to make however you spend your time outside infinitely more stylish.
