7 timeless, traditional shirts that won’t crease this summer
From Emma Willis to New & Lingwood, we’ve discovered the linen alternatives to keep you cool and crease-free this summer…
Words: Jonathan Wells
It’s taken a while for menswear brands to iron out the creasing problem. For years, we’ve spent summers limited to linen and fine cottons shirts — and we’ve paid the wrinkled, rumpled price.
But now, with labels cottoning on to new innovations and hybrid materials, there’s a new wave of wrinkle-free, practically un-creasable styles being buttoned up. Below, we’ve rounded up seven of the best non-iron, timeless shirts to keep you looking smooth all summer.
New & Lingwood Camp-Collar Terry Towelling Shirt
The easiest way to avoid creasing, of course, is to avoid thin cottons or linen. Thankfully, there are certain summery materials that can work wonders in this wrinkle-free department. Among them, terrycloth towelling is perhaps the most versatile; and this smart-casual, camp-collared shirt from New & Lingwood puts the fabric to excellent use.
Thanks to a tailored fit, the short-sleeved shirt is nudged into a slightly smarter dress code — but the practical garment really comes into its own at the poolside. In clean white, its timeless credentials speak for themselves; with this simple design a half-modern, half-vintage delight.
Emma Willis Oxford Check Cotton Shirt
But it’s not all about lounging by the water. Some of us must still work our way through summer — keeping up office-ready appearances and a professional air. To this end, Emma Willis is your summertime salvation. The Jermyn Street shirtmaker has used ‘Giza 45’’ Egyptian raw cotton to create this shirt; one of “the least creasing pure cottons [the brand] has ever used in 25 years of the shirt making business”.
And it’s worth the investment. With specialist single-needle stitching ensuring strength across the design, the attention to detail on this un-creasable shirt is second-to-none. The collars are hand-trimmed, the side-seam gussets handmade and the collar stays engraved from gold.
Luca Faloni Siena Piqué Shirt
There are also cotton innovations to be pulled-on and buttoned-up. From Luca Faloni, the ‘Siena’ design is cut from piqué ‘doppio ritorto’ cotton — a luxurious fabric the brand has spun into shirts and polos. Elegant, strong and wrinkle-resistant, the diamond-textured fabric also has a certain summery stretch to it.
It’s ideal for summer, and Luca Faloni offer this versatile shirt in several different colours — to keep your warm weather wardrobe feeling as fresh as you do. The best part about this one? It makes an excellent addition to layered outfits come the chill of autumn.
Tommy Hilfiger Tailored Non-Iron Shirt
Next up comes a classic. The plan white shirt is a staple of your year-round wardrobe — but summer spells problems for the basic garment. Be it breathability or creasing, the humble white shirt attracts sartorial slip-ups more so than any other item of clothing.
Tommy Hilfiger’s non-iron shirt, then, is a revelation. Incredibly affordable and cut from pure cotton, it’s as versatile as it is stylish. There’s a semi-spread collar, ready for any occasion. There are button cuffs to span smart and casual looks. And the regular fit will ensure you don’t overheat in the sun.
Sunspel Fine Texture Knitted Shirt
Like New & Lingwood’s terrycloth towelling above, a simple cotton knit will never crease. This Sunspel shirt is crafted from a fine, unwrinkling material — one inspired by a vintage fabric from the brand’s archive. Made from ‘long staple cotton’ for comfort, the softly spun material has the added benefit of never creasing.
Which makes it ideal for summer dressing. Thanks to the retro style, it’s a piece that will remain on-trend and in-vogue for years to come. And, with its ribbed collar, cuffs and hem, it’ll sit softly and loosely about your frame while still looking tight and trim.
Richard James Contemporary Shirt in Sport Mesh
Sometimes, creating an enduring style means moving with the times. So, while Richard James’ simple, versatile navy shirt may look classically cut, the British brand has actually used an innovative, breathable and non-creasing cotton hybrid it calls ‘Sport Mesh’.
Elsewhere in this design, things are timeless and traditional. There’s a semi-spread collar, mother of pearl buttons, two button cuffs and a plain front for a cleanly defined finish. Created specifically to thrive under a blazing summer sun, this is a wrinkle-free, worry-free addition to your seasonal wardrobe.
J. Crew Bowery Wrinkle-Free Shirt
Finally, a cotton shirt from J. Crew. Because, while we expressly recommended steering clear of fine, crease-prone cottons, the American brand has here blessed its gently checked shirt with a hint of stretchy elastane. That means, whether you travel in it, pack it or scrunch it into a ball, the ‘Bowery’ shirt will spring back into smooth shape every time.
It’s an everyday shirt — with more interest woven into the design than plain white, but not such loud patterning that it wouldn’t be allowed in the office. The perfect choice for enduring style during a scorching summer.
Want more warm weather wardrobe options? Here’s the gentleman’s guide to heatwave dressing…
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