The best linen shirts to make styling a breeze

• Sizes: 46-54
• Colours: Blue, beige, off-white, khaki green (+4 more)

High-street brand Arket is a failsafe destination for effortless menswear staples. Case in point: this regular-fit linen shirt. Perfect for rotation around any season thanks to the blue and white stripes which emblazon the body. Finished with a single chest pocket, slightly rounded hem and mother-of-pearl buttons, layer it over a white vest top and black trousers for an enduring off-duty appeal.

• Sizes: XS-3XL
• Colours: Aquamarine, pink, cream, yellow (+22 more)

This is a hard-to-beat example of a 100 per cent linen shirt ideal for wear with a suit in the British (or Mediterranean) heat. Long sleeves, buttoned cuffs and a cutaway collar all show deference to the smart dress shirt, while that marled fabric keeps things comfortable and light. Available in myriad colours and patterns for under £100 – and formed by the reliable craftsmanship of the Reiss designers – few purchases have ever been more sensible.

• Sizes: XS-3XL
• Colours: Light green, beige, blue, black (+8 more)

As light green as the shallows of the Seychelles, the blue-green linen option from Uniqlo’s latest affordable linen collection is just one colourway option from a plum bunch of pastels. Lavender, lemon yellow and sherbert orange are all alternatives, though it’s the luxury crystal waters of this option that we think will catch the sun of the islands best.

• Sizes: XS-XXL
• Colours: Black

Linen shirts may be an effective wardrobe addition, particularly during imminent warmer days, but they are so often designed in neutral palettes. If it’s more of an outfit focal point you’re after, try this tapestry cuban piece by Percival. Featuring colourful cross stitch embroidery across the entirety of its short sleeve frame, it’s hand designed in London and finished with coconut buttons for a summer-ready silhouette. You’ll draw the right kind of attention in this.

• Sizes: XS-XXL
• Colours: Brown, white, navy

In it for the longevity? Opt for a simple linen shirt that has never — and is unlikely to ever — go out of style. A good example: this short sleeve design from Ralph Lauren’s Polo label. Shaped with a convertible collar, it falls with a slightly loose fit to flatter all body types and is embroidered with the brand’s signature polo player logo at the top of its chest pocket. Its available in three timeless shades, but we suggest the beige to accommodate Spring’s arrival.

• Sizes: XS-XXXL
• Colours: Blue, Beige, Black, Khaki (+6 more)

Loro Piana’s pieces are synonymous with luxury – a fact proven by the brand’s staple linen shirt. Using the highest quality slub linen in the creation of this design (which comes in a whopping ten shades), it’s cut to a comfortable fit and fastens with mother-of-pearl buttons sourced from New Caledonia. These details, combined with its open camp collar, make it the perfect upper layer to see you through sunny days.

• Sizes: XS-XL
• Colours: Navy, Green

Cos once again confirms that simple style can be incredibly effective through this long-sleeved linen shirt. Cut for a relaxed fit to elegantly drape across your silhouette, it's based with a curved hem and topped with a classic spread collar. An easy wardrobe staple that works to flatter any body type, we suggest styling it with similarly-hued navy pieces for a failsafe monotone move.

• Sizes: XS-XXL
• Colours: Black

Paul Smith never fails to impress in the style categories of suits and shirts. Recently released to the latter, this short-sleeved linen shirt is a good choice for those who veer towards a utilitarian uniform through its earthy khaki shade. Centred by a camp collar, fixed with pearlescent buttons and detailed with split hems at the sides for an extra bit of movement, layer it over your best pair of relaxed tailored trousers for easy spring attire.

• Sizes: S-4XL
• Colours: White, Black

Marks & Spencer has been serving well-made (and affordable) menswear staples for as long as we can remember, making it a smart port of call for a linen shirt to last. Our top choice from the current selection? This grandad collar design. Topped with this timeless and simplistic fastening, its lightweight frame falls to a relaxed shape and incorporates an easy-to-iron finish. For just £40, you can’t go wrong.

• Sizes: S-XXL
• Colours: Navy

Crafted from a lightweight linen blend, Orlebar Brown’s signature ‘Hibbert’ linen shirt is just waiting to be packed in your upcoming holiday suitcase. This is thanks to its central motif: an opulent floral print, which is nicely contrasted with striped tipping at the edge of the sleeves and base.

• Sizes: XS-XXL
• Colours: Stone, light blue, navy

A roomy short sleeved shirt with a Cuban (or camp) collar? This is the piece you've seen in a million archive photos of Italian and Greek gentlemen going about their business in the oppressive heat of August. A piece with cultural heft in a breathable weft.

• Sizes: S-XL
• Colours: Orange

Crafted in Portugal from 100 per cent linen, swimwear brand Marané’s latest linen shirt will ensure you bring a serious dose of pizazz to the poolside and beyond. Clad in a striking orange hue, it's fused with a contrasting abstract print across its short-sleeved body and finished with looped button fastenings down the front. If you're interested in taking its statement one step further, good news: there's a pair of shorts to match.

• Sizes: S-XL
• Colours: Black, beige

Searching for a stylish linen shirt which won't break the bank? Arket is your top port of call. Specifically, for this simple (but, rest assured, effective) black design: cut for a comfortably loose fit and detailed with a resort collar, front pocket and troca buttons down the front – the latter containing non-textile parts of animal origin. Effortless and ethical, we suggest keeping your surrounding layers black or beige for enduring appeal.

• Sizes: XS-XL
• Colours: Green

To those whose style approach veers towards an Ivy League silhouette, Drake’s is the place to provide your linen shirt. Famed for its sharp, collegiate-cued pieces, the Savile Row-based brand brings a fun spin to the traditional staple through a popping green shade. Cladding this spread-collar design, its bold hue is nicely contrasted with a white button placket yet keeps a casual tone through its front pocket detail. A grade style ensured.

• Sizes: XS-XXL
• Colours: Navy, red

This Italian linen is extra light and extra breathable, making it ideal for even the glorious humidity of Sicily. In stripe or melange neutrals, Sunspel has followed its own lead in creating a perfect staple here.

• Sizes: Made to order
• Colours: White

If your style inclinations revolve around 1970s-induced silhouettes, London-based brand Lawton has just the shirt for you. Timeless in texture and daring in detail (its centre features a striking 7.2cm open collar, reminiscent of the decade), it’s fitted with a floating canvas construction and is stitched to the specificities of your silhouette through made-to-order production. An impeccable personal piece to last a lifetime, layer its grand collar over your best black suit and base the look with heeled boots for straight up sex appeal.

• Sizes: XS-XXL
• Colours: Navy, blue, beige, pink (+4 more)

While you may know Ralph Lauren for its cotton shirts in particular, the shirting connoisseur also uses linen to impeccable ends. Really, the overall look of the linen RL shirt is not so different from the classic cotton equivalent, so if it’s consistency in your wardrobe you’re seeking and Ralph Lauren is already in heavy rotation, this is the linen shirt pick for you.

• Sizes: XS-XXL
• Colours: White

New York-based brand Bode has become a favourite for the fashion-conscious thanks to its sophisticated selection of printed shirts. In the current collection sits this Garden State design: cut from lightweight linen and stamped with illustrations of New Jersey motifs. Layer it over some relaxed white trousers to draw attention to its colour.

• Sizes: S-XXL
• Colours: Blue

Ever the master of classic (and well crafted) menswear staples, Paul Smith’s latest take on the linen shirt is a must to elevate your everyday attire. Assembled from a navy shade of the texture, it’s structured with a spread collar and falls with a regular fit – therefore working well both tucked in and out of trousers. If you want our advice, let it flow naturally over your kecks to show off its curved hem and create a more insouciant effect.

• Sizes: XS-XXL
• Colours: Navy, blue, beige, olive (+2 more)

You can’t go wrong with navy. Cut from organic linen and fastening with contrasting white buttons, this shirt offers a little more breeze and comfort than its cotton-blend counterparts. Style with chinos for cloudy climates or knee-length shorts for a summer’s day.