How To Find The Perfect Party Shirt

Let's break down a summer staple.

Perhaps in 2022 more than ever, the idea of dressing up to hit the town this summer seems incredibly appealing. And with that sense of youthful enthusiasm, a new wave of playfulness has also taken hold in the way men dress. We’re more ready to embrace bold colours, loud prints and flowy, breezy fabrics than ever before, and the last few seasons have seen a collision between the worlds of razor-sharp streetwear and fun-loving party clothes. At the middle of all this lies the party shirt.

There’s a good chance you’ve probably worked some kind of loud shirt into your wardrobe with festival dressing and long summer soirees in mind, but it’s also a deceptively tricky piece to pull off. Short sleeved shirts can look a little geeky when not worn right, and even pairing them with the wrong outfits can be a recipe for disaster. So with all this being said, here are some failsafe methods to make sure your next party shirt nails the brief of fashion-forward leisure.

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The fabric

Party shirts are designed to move with you, whether you’re on the dance floor, on the DJ deck or pulling it back on after a leisurely swim. As such, we like to move away from materials that feel, for the lack of a better word, too shirty. A good party shirt should feel deconstructed and lightweight, whether they’re made of a softer cotton blend, relaxed linen or our new summer favourite, hemp. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous or just keen to try something new, take a leaf out of The Sopranos or Goodfellas playbook and picture yourself in a nice little knit polo number.

Our Pick: TOPMAN Cotton Wave Print Shirt

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The print

Being bold in your choice of shirt can actually make the difference between getting a shirt that looks like it’s made for the summer and one that’s made for sprucing up a business outfit. While Hawaiian shirts and tropical beach-inspired prints were once a fashion taboo, they’ve never been more appropriate. Again, a little inspo from Tony Soprano never goes astray; if a Hawaiian number isn’t the right fit for you, look to retro-inspired bowling shirts and prints instead of playing it safe with a 2010s General Pants paisley or tablecloth check. Time to step it up, fellas.

Our Pick: Deus Ex Machina Vespacific Shirt

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The cut

Getting a rigid, boxy short-sleeved shirt is the quickest way to step out looking like you should be spending the day working an IT job. Opt for a relaxed cut that you can either wear with a few buttons undone or layer with a t-shirt underneath for a look that pairs well with shorts and sneakers. Also, consider the collar. The camp collar’s naturally summery look, first popularised to help people keep cool in the steamy Caribbean, adds a certain level of fun that a traditional oxford collar simply can’t match. Say goodbye to the once inevitable slim-fit, and join the relaxed button down shirt revolution.