Camp-collar shirts first rose to prominence in the 1950s, but they weren’t revived until the 2000s. Which begs the question: what on Earth did men do without them? Simple as they are, there is hardly a summer look that isn’t vastly improved by the addition of one. This piped iteration from Parisian brand Officine Générale plays up the style’s mid-century origins and is made from summer-friendly seersucker.

A grandad collar (otherwise known as collarless) shirt is a smart-casual failsafe, especially if its tailored from crisp cotton poplin, as this Barbour White Label one is. Which makes this a particularly versatile article, looking right at home both under a tailored blazer or worn untucked with swim shorts and sandals. 

The popular rise of the Hawaiian or aloha shirt in recent years has had a sizeable effect on the male summer wardrobe. Pattern and print, once in short supply, are now gladly considered commonplace. This kitschy number from Casablanca – the fun-loving, streetwear brand – is printed with a postcard-worthy paradise. We can already picture (wink) ourselves wearing it.

It’s usually the case that a button-down collar imparts a certain preppy vibe to your look (if that’s what you’re after, try the Oxford shirts from Polo Ralph Lauren or Thom Browne). But this Acne Studios one is less Ivy League and more idiosyncratic. That’s not to say it’s any less smart than its collegiate counterparts, but the holographic-style print gives it a nice edge.

A knitted shirt is best swerved in summer, right? Not always. In fact, the loose waffle knit and relaxed fit of this piece by Oliver Spencer allows air to flow around your body, ensuring that it’s light enough for the balmiest of days. In our experience, these shirts never tend to stick around for long, so if you harbour feelings for it, we’d recommend being quick off the mark.

Lardini is an expert in elegant, effortless Italian tailoring. So, naturally, a laid-back linen shirt is in the mix. Made from the fibres of the flax plant, linen is a summer staple – few fabrics boast its cooling properties (though, truth be told, seersucker is another contender). This nonchalantly rumpled one comes in a holiday-worthy terracotta shade, which feels like it might have been ripped from the pages of Call Me By Your Name.

As a rule, the arrival of summer tends to widen the colour options available to men. After an autumn and winter spent in top-to-toe neutrals, it can be freeing to dabble in brighter or softer hues. The same goes for prints. It may no longer be groundbreaking, but a floral shirt can transform a rather drab outfit into something inherently summery with very little effort on your part. This one from our own label Mr P. is made from lightweight, breathable cotton.

If, like us, you have come over with a serious bout of tie-dye mania – symptoms of which include the onset of a free-spirited demeanour coupled with a sudden desire to listen to the Grateful Dead – then there’s really only one remedy that comes to mind: immersion therapy. This course of treatment should be easy enough, given the breadth and width of MR PORTER’s selection on offer. It includes this AMIRI one, a polished step up from a T-shirt, but every bit as carefree and summery.

Could the shawl-collar shirt finally topple the Cuban collar’s uncontested reign? Probably not, but it is a wholly refreshing change. One thing is certain, it shares the same retro DNA as its pointed peer, which means it looks great with other items that hint at mid-century origins. Think cropped trousers, slip-on loafers and chore jackets.

Sadly, the trusty denim shirt that’s been hanging in your wardrobe for years is likely to cause overheating during spells of warm weather. To achieve the same casual effect, but without the health scare, trade it in for this less stuffy alternative from RRL, Mr Ralph Lauren’s western-inspired offshoot. Besides having short sleeves, it’s made from cotton-chambray, a thinner, more breathable denim substitute, which captures the look without any of the sweaty side-effects.