The 14 Men’s Style Essentials You Need for Summer 2024

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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 The Tommy Bahama Silk Camp Shirt is the overall best summer shirt for men.

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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 The Reigning Champ Lightweight Jersey Tank Top is the best tank top for men.

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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 The Alex Mill Vintage Wash Polo Shirt is the overall best polo shirt for men.

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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 The American Giant Premium Slub Crew Tee is the best white t-shirt for men.

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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 The Suitsupply Twill Tailored Fit Shirt is the overall best dress shirt for men.

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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 The Nobis Fisherman Jacket is the overall best light jacket for men.

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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..