Why You Should Be Wearing A Resort Shirt

November 16, 2025

Resort shirts have been around for as long as resorts and retreats have existed as a place to show them off. Starting in the 1940's and popularized throughout the 50's the Resort Shirt was the thing that dad busted out right when you got to the hotel, a ceremonial commencement of the family vacation. Yet what used to be your once a year "Hawaiian" or "Aloha" vacation shirt; the Resort Shirt is now something you can mix in the rotation with your daily weekend outfits. It's not only a piece for the once a year summer getaway, but a valuable statement shirt to keep on hand and whip out when you need. Check out below why you definitely need a Resort Shirt (or a few) in your closet.

What's a Resort Shirt?

While there's no real exact definition or parameters for what a Resort Shirt is, it does have it's own distinguishable qualities from your classic button up or other dress styles. Resort Shirt's are designed with leisure and a laid back attitude in mind and typically feature bold or unique prints or patterns to reflect that state of mind. You'll find that the collar is larger and spread along the shoulder blades rather than pointing downwards, usually referred to as a camp collar. Buttons are spaced out properly and meant to be worn open at the chest cavity showing of a necklace or just good old chest hair. The material used is typically soft, breathable and lightweight ranging from linen, cotton, terry cloth and much more.

New actor sensation Walton Goggins in "White Lotus"

Features of a Resort Shirt

Bold prints and patterns
Camp collar style
Spaced out buttons
Soft, breathable material

Why you Need a Resort Shirt

We'll start with the gentleman who may be thinking "that's just not really my style" or "I'll never have a place to wear it." While it may seem like more of a "Hawaiian Dad" trope or halloween costume than a fashion piece, there's plenty of casual laid back options that fit the bill. A Resort Shirt doesn't need to be worn to some special occasion or certain place, neither do they need to have exotic or outwardly forward designs.

Sam Nivola on the set of "White Lotus"

For the gentlemen who are more fashion forward or don't mind displaying eccentric prints and patterns in their outfits, Resort Shirts are some of the best options to showcase that. Just take DiCaprio's shirt in "Romeo and Juliet" often dubbed as "the coolest shirt in cinema history."

A young Leonardo DiCaprio in "Romeo and Juliet"

The term "meant to be lived in" can seem kind of obvious and overused in the fashion industry, but the Resort Shirt exactly embodies this. The whole point is to wear something unstructured, unserious and unmatched giving yourself a chance to enjoy leisure in your own personalized way. Most clothing pieces have at least some kind of productive end game or goal in wearing them, but that couldn't be further from the truth with the Resort Shirt. Wear it buttoned, unbuttoned; dressed up, dressed down; tucked in, or not: formerly, or casually-wear it literally however you see fit.

Everyday guy Jake Gyllenhal rocking a bold Resort Shirt in "Road House"

Fashion is ofttimes how we convey our feelings about the occasion and is sometimes the easiest way to express who we are. Think of the Resort Shirt not as the thing you're saving for your next getaway or beach day; but a sensible option for just anything that doesn't require your undivided concentration. From prized statement piece to any day option. Going to the movies? Hanging on the deck? Walking in the Park? If you're in the mood, the Resort Shirt is the perfect way to hang in leisure. It's a simple way to elevate your style while not sacrificing too much comfort, and add a personal touch to your look that other pieces can't do. It also encapsulates the chill, laid-back and unhurried appearance. Your body language is saying "I'm available, let's have a conversation;" or "I've got nothing busy going on right on now," when you're rocking a Resort Shirt. So stay grounded and in the moment and snag a Resort Shirt (or a few) and get ready to rock out in leisure the way it was intended.