Open-collar shirts add a relaxed, breezy vibe to any outfit. Whether worn on their own or layered under a jacket, they’re incredibly versatile for summer and offer endless styling possibilities. In this article, we’re focusing on open-collar shirts, sharing tips and must-have items for styling them fashionably, along with street style snaps!
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What Is an Open-Collar Shirt?A Shirt Designed with an Open Collar for a Relaxed Look
An open-collar shirt is a shirt designed with a V-shaped opening at the neckline, intended to be worn with the collar open.In English, they are called open-collar shirts or camp-collar shirts. Typical dress shirts feature a band-like piece called a “collar stand” at the base of the collar that encircles the neck, giving the collar a three-dimensional, upright structure. In contrast, many open-collar shirts do not have a separate collar stand that encircles the neck.Because the collar tips lie naturally against the chest, they create room around the neck, resulting in a relaxed, open look. The hem typically features a straight, square cut that makes it easy to wear with the shirt untucked, while the body usually has a boxy silhouette with plenty of room around the torso.
Representative Shirts Incorporating the Open-Collar DesignFour Styles Symbolizing Open-Collar Shirts
The open-collar design has been incorporated into shirts with diverse backgrounds, ranging from sportswear to traditional ethnic attire, resort wear, and loungewear.Here, we introduce four styles that epitomize open-collar shirts.
”Representative Style 1 of Open-Collar Shirts”The ‘Bowling Shirt’: Exuding a Sporty Presence Through Color Combinations and Embroidery”
The bowling shirt is a sports shirt that has its roots in the team uniforms of the sport of bowling.Based on a boxy silhouette that allows for easy movement, they express individuality through team name embroidery on the chest and back, piping, and color-blocking on the body. This garment combines the relaxed feel of an open collar with the boldness created by its linear design.
Two Representative Styles of Open-Collar ShirtsThe 'Cuban Shirt,' Characterized by Vertical Decorative Details and Four Pockets
The Cuban shirt, also known as a guayabera, is a shirt representative of Central and South America and the Caribbean.It is well known for its design featuring vertical pleats or embroidery on the front panel and a total of four pockets on the chest and waist. While decorative, it is characterized by a neat and refined appearance thanks to its symmetrical design.
3 Representative Styles of Open-Collar ShirtsAloha Shirts: Expressing Hawaiian Landscapes and Culture Through Vibrant Patterns
Aloha shirts are open-collar shirts characterized by patterns featuring motifs such as flowers, plants, waves, and Hawaiian landscapes.They evolved from the fusion of Hawaii’s unique culture with the fabrics and fashion traditions brought by immigrants, and have now become a symbol of resort wear. In addition to patterned designs, solid-color and subdued color-scheme styles are also available.
The ‘Pajama Shirt’: Incorporating Nightwear Details into Streetwear” subtitle” 4 Representative Styles of Open-Collar Shirts”
The pajama shirt is a style inspired by nightwear tops.In addition to the open collar, piping that adorns the collar, placket, and pocket edges is a signature detail. The laid-back vibe created by the soft fabric and relaxed silhouette offers a charm not found in other open-collar shirts.
Tip 1 for Styling Open-Collar ShirtsCreate a refreshing look that makes a good impression on everyone.Wear a white open-collar shirt on its own!
A white open-collar shirt helps you create a refreshing summer look that makes a good impression on everyone.A hidden benefit is that the V-shaped neckline—unique to open-collar shirts—is emphasized, making the area around your face look cleaner. Because the styling is simple, the pants, shoes, and accessories you pair with it have a relatively greater impact on the overall look.While choosing a pure white shirt that exudes a clean look is a safe bet, opting for off-white, like the man in the second gallery image, or a terry cloth shirt, like the one in the third image, can create an even more polished and effortless vibe.
Open-Collar Shirt Styling Tip 2Minimize the Tone Difference Between Shirts and Pants for a Sophisticated, Mature Look!
The so-called “tone-on-tone” styling is an effective way to create a sophisticated impression in the eyes of anyone.While dark colors like black and navy are standard for men’s bottoms, choosing a dark-toned open-collar shirt to match them allows you to achieve the look described above.As seen with the man in the first gallery image, adding a pop of color—such as through the lenses of your eyewear—to an all-black outfit instantly creates a polished look. Furthermore, even without sticking to dark tones, coordinating your entire outfit in white, beige, or ivory—as shown by the men in the second and third images—can create an elegant atmosphere that exudes a sense of mature confidence.
3 Tips for Styling Open-Collar ShirtsTo Wear a Unique Patterned Shirt with Elegance, Limiting Colors and Keeping Tones Subdued Is Key!
Patterned open-collar shirts also have their own charm.From botanical prints to paisley and stripes, choose a piece from this diverse range that will truly shine as the centerpiece of your outfit . Even patterns that might seem too flashy at first glance can work surprisingly well if you stick to similar shades, like the man in the second gallery image, or limit the number of colors, as shown by the man in the third image.
4 Tips for Styling Open-Collar ShirtsAdd Variety to Your Summer Wardrobe with Shirt & T-Shirt Combinations!
Since around last year, the number of people at Pitti Uomo and Fashion Week sporting outfits that combine shirts and T-shirts has skyrocketed.Beyond just color combinations, it’s fun to expand your styling options by deciding whether to button up the entire front of the shirt, just a few buttons, or leave it completely unbuttoned.
5 Styling Tips for Open-Collar ShirtsMake the Most of the Open Collar! Add a Scarf for a Glamorous Look
In the summer, outfits tend to be simple—for better or worse.Scarves and neckerchiefs are the perfect way to add a touch of glamour with just one accessory. This is especially true with open-collar shirts that feature a V-shaped neckline, as the scarf will be clearly visible and make a strong statement.
From here on, we’ll introduce a carefully curated selection of recommended open-collar shirts.
Recommended Open-Collar Shirt 1Nigel Cabourn OPEN COLLAR SHIRT - LINEN TWILL
Our selection from “Nigel Cabourn” is an open-collar shirt made from 100% linen twill.The fabric, which retains linen’s dry texture while offering a clean, lightweight look, adds depth to the simple design. The straight silhouette, with generous room in the shoulders and body, ensures the shirt doesn’t cling to the body even when worn on its own.Exuding the ruggedness of workwear rather than a resort vibe, this open-collar shirt is quintessentially Nigel Cabourn.
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Recommended Open-Collar Shirts 2Drake’s Indigo Triple Stripe Block Print Cotton Camp Collar Short Sleeve Shirt
British brand “Drake’s” has created a camp-collar shirt featuring indigo-colored stripes rendered through block printing. Near Jaipur in the Indian state of Rajasthan, skilled artisans use wooden blocks to hand-print each pattern one by one.The soft cotton fabric is overlaid with the subtle, imperfect variations of the print, creating the rich character unique to handcrafted pieces. The relaxed fit, straight hem, and mother-of-pearl buttons give this patterned shirt a refined, artisanal look.
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Recommended Open-Collar Shirts 3YOKE Leaf Pattern Printed Rayon Open Collar Shirt
This piece from “YOKE” is an open-collar shirt featuring a leaf pattern printed on fine-gauge rayon, perfect for summer.The pattern is inspired by “glacage,” a painting technique used by German artist Max Ernst. The abstract, distorted leaf shapes and subdued color palette ensure that, despite being an all-over print, the shirt never looks gaudy.The wide fit, which highlights the smooth drape of the rayon, and the long, sharply pointed collar add a fashion-forward silhouette to your outfit.
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Recommended Open-Collar Shirts 4COS CAMP-COLLAR COTTON SHIRT
If you’re looking for a minimalist open-collar shirt, this black model from “COS” is a strong contender.The body is made of crisp Pima cotton, while the collar is crafted from knit fabric—a subtle contrast in texture within the same color palette. With a regular fit, this shirt retains the open, airy feel characteristic of open-collar shirts, while its monochromatic black color and clean design give it a sophisticated, urban look.
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Top 5 Recommended Open-Collar ShirtsATTACHMENT Cotton/Tencel Jacquard Cuban Shirt S/S
“ATTACHMENT” reinterprets the traditional guayabera design with a modern twist.It uses an original dobby weave combining cotton and lyocell; the delicate woven pattern that emerges on the surface creates a play of light and shadow distinct from solid-colored fabrics. It is characterized by a natural texture achieved through pre-washing and the softness of the lyocell-blended fabric.This Japanese-made model takes the highly decorative Cuban shirt and offers it in a limited color palette, making it easy to incorporate into everyday outfits.
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