Striped Shirts for Spring & Summer: Classic Styles with a Fresh Twist
I’ve rarely met a stripe I didn’t like, and that goes double for striped shirts. There’s something quietly confidence-building about them: classic, familiar, and always wearable. Stripes are a true style perennial, and one of the easiest ways to add pattern without feeling like you’re stepping too far outside your comfort zone. In the warmer months especially, a breezy striped shirt brings just enough visual interest to an outfit—polished, effortless, and never fussy—without the need for extra layers.
Why Striped Shirts Are Always In Style
Peruse Paris shop windows during any spring and summer, and you’ll see that almost every brand offers something in a blue and white stripe. If you love striped shirts, or have been hoping for more options, you’re in luck as they seem to be on-trend this season. While you can almost always find the classic blue-and-white iterations, I’m seeing loads of colors and styles across brands in the spring collections.
(Note, you can click on any text in red to go to product page and shop.)
Choosing the Right Stripe for Your Style & Color Palette
The “best” style of shirt (and the type of stripe) will depend on your color palette and Style Personality. Classics look fabulous in a neat, traditional button-front. Gamines are best in smaller stripes. Dramatics do well in angular and contrast stripe patterns. Princess types will look smashing in fine stripes with details like a lace or ruffle collar. Naturals will look best in shirts with some ease. (And remember, these are guidelines, not rules. Sometimes styling is 9/10ths of the equation.)
Striped Shirts Worth a Look This Season
If a striped shirt is on your wish list this season, here are a few styles that stood out to me.
Classic Styles
Organic Cotton Poplin – $39.90
A timeless look at a budget-friendly price! This denim blue and white style is available in other colors, sizes XS-XL. Both Summers and Winters could wear this one.
No-Iron Cotton – $84.95*
No-iron ease makes this a good one for travel! This 100% cotton shirt is available over a dozen colors and stripe combinations, in Regular, Petite, Tall & Plus sizes. (This color is close to Sweet Pea in the Summer palette.)
*these are often marked down, check for codes.
“Max” Organic Cotton Shirt – $125
Sézane always has a great collection of striped shirts! I love this coral red for Springs and Autumns, and it’s available in several other colors and prints, sizes 0-16. (Suggest sizing down.)
Relaxed Shirt – Airy Stripe – $99.50
This longer shirt could also work as a coverup for the pool. It’s 100% cotton, offered in Misses, Petite, Plus, and Plus Petite sizes. This bright green is great for Springs!
Washable Silk – $168
If you prefer something neutral, this washable silk shirt is available in multiple solid and stripe colors. Sizes 00-16. This ivory and toffee combo is another good neutral for Springs and Autumns. (Runs large, suggest sizing down).
Fresh Takes on Stripes
Stacked Button V-Neck Shirt – $84.50
An easy v-neck and puff sleeves add a feminine touch to classic blue and white stripes. In 100% cotton poplin, sizes XX-Small to XX-Large. This “French Blue” can work for both Summers and Winters.
Cropped Silk Shirt – $150
Great style for Petites and short-waisted gals who want to be able to wear shirts untucked. Sizes 2-14. This colorway is great for Springs and Autumns. (I have this one on order!)
Striped Shirt with Sleeve Detail – $155
A rope-patterned stripe and canvas ribbon detail on the sleeves take this one a step out of the ordinary. Sizes X-Small to X-Large. This dark emerald green is great for you Winters!
Cotton Poplin Popover – $120
An easy popover shape with contrast stripe interest. Available in sizes XXS-XXL. This olive color is good for Autumns.
Tie-Waist Shirt – $76.30
Here’s another fun take on a classic blue and white stripe shirt. The tie waist adds structure and and shape. This one’s available in Misses & Petite sizes. Blue and white works best for Summers and Winters, though some Blue Springs may be able to wear this one as well.
Whether you gravitate toward crisp classics or enjoy experimenting with fresh details, a striped shirt earns its place as a true wardrobe workhorse. It’s one of those pieces that feels both familiar and endlessly adaptable—easy to dress up or down, and just as relevant year after year. If you’ve been considering adding one (or refreshing an old favorite), now is an especially good time to explore the variety available and choose a style that truly works for you.
Additional Striped Shirt Options
(Note: if you’re reading on a mobile device, you can keep scrolling to see all selections.)
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So timely! I’m working out my summer wardrobe now that I am back in my freezing office 5 days and button downs are taking center stage. Last summer the ironing got to me so I just ordered some of the Lands End no iron ones. (I had the pictured one in my cart and said, wait, thats’s a summer pink! and switched to the brighter pink/white…I’m winter). Yet you show me something burgundy and my complaints are out the window! I love my dark winter colors with white and light gray for summer, also going to try some griege / taupe bottoms, but would love your ideas on how us darker seasons can wear our colors in summer.
I just bought a second-hand short blue and white striped shirt, purely for the way the collar sat. Perfect for me. I hope I can use it many times.
Greetje
I love striped button front shirts and have a few favorites — but I’m always fighting the pajama look. I can’t quite figure out why some shirts look like pajama tops and others don’t. Thoughts?
Do you have suggestions for petite sized shirts?
Yes, some of the shirts featured are offered in Petite sizes (like the no-iron shirt from Lands’ End), and the cropped styles are often good for Petites. Talbots, Boden, Banana Republic, and Ann Taylor offer many of their shirts in Petite sizes.
Wow what a great line up of shirts! I love the ones you chose. I decided to order the BR one first but I certainly have my eye on the cropped one from Sezane as well! Thank you for curating these! It’s still cold up here in Petaluma and we’re having lots and lots of rain right now but there is a promise of Spring. I vowed last night (again!) that I would stay off social media but I do stay long enough to see you, Annie and my painting teacher! I also watched the Tibetan monks walk for peace–from Texas to Washington DC with their faithful dog, Aloka. Be well.
Thanks for sharing some ideas for fun striped shirts. I try not to buy new clothes until I can think of 3 ways I’d actually wear the item. I’m having trouble with figuring out various ways to wear a striped shirt.
One of my favorite looks is a striped shirt with a lightweight pullover, shirt hem poking out at bottom! A casual yet put together look. I’ve found Quince has a great fit for my small size.
I can’t give enough praise to Chico’s no iron shirts. I’ve managed to collect a number of them in stripes and it seems as though whenever I’ve wished for a stripe in a particular color—poof!—they have produced one. Avoid ironing when I can AND they stay crisp all day.