Men’s Grandad Shirts

Introduction

With summer threatening to make a brief cameo in Britain after a rather poor showing so far, it’s never been a better time to start airing out some summer shirt options and planning looks for a late entry.

Linen and thinner cotton are great for bearing the heat – they present a much cooler option than those in your regular rotation – but when the thermostat reaches tie-ditching heights, a grandad (or band collar) shirt is a perfect preference.

Grandad/Band Collar Shirts

With a couple of buttons undone, the grandad collar is arguably the shirting equivalent to relaxed tailoring; think unstructured blazers. It looks far better than a cutaway collar with the top two fasteners undone and slides seamlessly into the same outfits as the former while working much better with a collection of other looks.

While it works exceptionally well with a suit, a collarless shirt shouldn’t be worn to the office; it’s less business and more pleasure. The grandad collar does, however, have its derivations in the workplace (although in a more blue-collar capacity.) It is said that factory workers used to tear off their collars to avoid getting them caught in the heavy machinery. Who would assume health and safety to be a style saviour?

This origin makes the grandad collar a great piece to work into workwear looks. Think boots, flat caps and braces in compiling a rugged, masculine outfit centred on a well fitting band collar.

How To Wear

Men’s Grandad Collar Shirts Lookbook

Look #1

Whether you fly out to a more reliable source of sun or get lucky on home soil with a trip to the coast, a half-button grandad shirt in a lightweight fabric such as linen makes a fantastic beach layer. It’s easy pullover nature makes for less hassle than a complete button-up.

When paired with great swimwear, it creates the perfect poolside look that is both practical and stylish. The collarless feature only adds to the relaxed (but not sloppy) feel that we often strive for when it comes to holiday style.

• E. Tautz Henley Grandad-collar Cotton Shirt
• Orlebar Brown Navy Mid Length Bulldog Swimshorts
• Topman Real Leather Fatima Bracelet
• Reiss Marshaw Leather Sandal Mid Brown

Look #2

Swap out your standard point collar for something a little less stiff at the end of a day and take a more relaxed approach to your tailoring. Keep your pocket square – although consider going for a more louche puff or messy fold rather than a clean-cut square or point – and always go sockless (or at least create the illusion of doing so) to maintain the unstructured approach.

When it comes to footwear, there is a vast array of options that would work here; derbies, loafers, boat shoes, sandals, suedes or leathers – take your pick.

• Gucci Grandad-collar Cotton Oxford Shirt
• Vito 1 Button Blazer
• Austin Reed Navy Daisy Silk Handkerchief
• Vito Slim Fit Smart Chino Trouser
• Topman Grey Invisible Shoe Liners
• Reiss Courthouse Plain Loafer Mid Brown

Look #3

If summer continues to disappoint, build a look around the aforementioned worker wear connotations of the grandad collar shirt.

Chambray is a great way to cement the rugged feel of your look, especially when paired with heavyweight trousers, such as grey denims or weighty chinos. Finish off with chunky boots and look to accessorise with a flat cap or a pair of braces if you’re feeling a bit bolder.

Style your boots either with a couple of turn ups or tuck your trousers into them, making sure a peak of woollen boot sock is showing over the top.

• Asos Chambray Grandad Collar Shirt
• Asos Heavyweight Slim Chino
• Grey Bakerboy Cap
• Allsaints Gallant Boot

Men’s Grandad Collar Shirts

• Reiss Smithy Ls Bold Stripe Grandad Collar Shirt Grey
• Reiss Ghostly Long Sleeve Grandad Collar Check Shirt Forest Green
• Oliver Spencer Grandad-collar Striped Cotton Shirt
• Oliver Spencer Grandad-collar Striped Cotton Shirt
• Esprit Grandad Long Sleeve Shirt
• Fred Perry Grandad Collar End On End Shirt
• Allsaints Giles Shirt
• French Connection Wide Angle Indigo Shirt
• Reiss Nelson Grandad Shirt Grey
• Asos Longline Linen Mix Grandad Shirt
• Pretty Green Ls Charcoal Grandad Shirt
• Blue Harbour Pure Linen Grandad Collar Shirt
• Maison Martin Margiela Grandad-collar Stripe Shirt 128157
• Blue Harbour Pure Linen Grandad Collar Shirt
• Yves Saint Laurent Grandad-collar Printed Cotton Shirt

Have Your Say…

Paired with your summer suiting options, or simply with a pair of jeans/chinos, a grandad collar shirt is effortlessly versatile and creates a relaxed aesthetic, which can often be missing when a collar is in play.

But what do you think:

• Is the grandad collar shirt a worthy shirting alternative?
• Or is it better left in the past and on the factory floor?
• Are you a grandad collar shirt fan? How do you style yours?
• What is your preferred shirt collar style?

Let us know in the comments below guys…