Men's linen shirts are the coolest, most comfortable shirts you can wear through an Australian summer. Our range brings together pure linen and cotton-linen blends from brands like R.M.Williams, GANT, Industrie and Abelard, in solids and stripes.
We get asked every spring which linen shirt is the best value, the most breathable and the easiest to look after. The answer depends on how you'll wear it, so we've put the key differences below. Looking for the Pony? Shop the dedicated Polo Ralph Lauren linen shirts range. Read More
Quick answer: how do I choose a men's linen shirt?
Choose pure linen for maximum breathability on the hottest days.
Choose a cotton-linen blend if you want fewer creases and a softer feel from day one.
Pick your fit: regular for comfort and layering, slimmer for tucking in.
Start with a neutral like white, navy, sky blue or oat, then add a stripe.
Not sure about size? Visit us in store and we'll fit you.
Pure linen or a linen blend: which is better?
Both are cooler than a standard cotton shirt. The difference is in feel, creasing and care. Quick breakdown:
| Fabric |
Feel |
Creasing |
Best for |
| Pure linen |
Crisp, textured, very breathable |
Creases easily, relaxed look |
Hot days, holidays, the beach |
| Cotton-linen blend |
Softer from new, slightly smoother |
Creases less than pure linen |
Work, travel, all-day wear |
| Garment-dyed linen |
Pre-softened, lived-in colour |
Relaxed by design |
Weekends and casual lunches |
GANT's cotton-linen styles are a good place to start if you're new to linen, while the Industrie and R.M.Williams linen shirts suit anyone who wants the classic linen texture.
Which brands make the best linen shirts?
Each brand in our range does linen a little differently. Key facts:
Polo Ralph Lauren: Custom and Slim Fit linen shirts with the signature Pony. See the Polo Ralph Lauren linen range.
R.M.Williams: understated Australian design, like the Newman Linen Shirt. More in R.M.Williams men's shirts.
GANT: regular-fit cotton-linen blends, garment-dyed colours and stripes. Browse GANT menswear.
Industrie: relaxed Australian beachwear, such as the St Martins linen shirt, that matches their linen shorts.
Abelard: bold inch-stripe linen for something with more character.
What do you wear with a linen shirt?
Linen works with nearly everything in a summer wardrobe. Our in-store go-tos:
Smart casual: tucked into chinos with loafers and a leather belt.
Weekend: untucked over men's shorts with sneakers or boat shoes.
Country events: a pale linen shirt, R.M.Williams jeans or chinos and R.M.Williams boots.
Layered: worn open over a T-shirt on cooler summer evenings.
Pairing linen with boots? Our guide on how to wear R.M.Williams boots has six easy outfits.
How do you stop a linen shirt from creasing?
You can't stop linen creasing completely, but you can keep it neat. Key facts:
Hang it straight away: take it out of the machine and hang it while it's damp.
Iron damp, not dry: a warm iron on a slightly damp shirt works fastest.
Choose a blend: cotton-linen creases noticeably less than pure linen.
Steam on the go: a hotel shower or a handheld steamer drops most creases in minutes.
Not sure which linen shirt suits you?
As a third-generation, family-owned business fitting Australian men since 1936, we've seen every kind of summer shirt come and go, and linen is still the one we recommend. Drop into one of our stores or get in touch and we'll help you sort it.
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