Summer has its own way of resetting the fashion clock. Pieces that are lighter, more flexible, and breathe better. And among them, the shirt reinvents itself every year as an obvious choice. At Harold, we believe in clothing that accompanies the beautiful days without overdoing it, and that’s where the Cuban collar comes into play.

It’s a detail, but it changes everything. Open line, free look, and always that impression of controlled relaxation. The Cuban collar is a bit like the promise of a summer lived in slow motion, without sacrificing style.

Focus on this season’s essential!

The Cuban Collar: The Summer Must-Have

A Cut Designed for Heat

Born in Cuba and popularized by guayabera shirts, the Cuban collar was designed to dress masculine elegance in hot climates. Its construction is simple but ingenious: a flat collar, without a collar stand, which naturally rests on the shoulders and opens on the chest. This seemingly trivial detail changes everything: it eliminates stiffness around the neck, frees the neckline, and promotes air circulation, all valuable assets when the temperature rises.

But this collar is not only a functional response to the climate. It also plays a key role in the visual balance of the shirt: it lightens the silhouette, elongates the neck line, and adds a touch of controlled relaxation. Where a classic collar frames and confines, the Cuban collar opens the upper chest and follows movements. The cut maintains structure while remaining fluid and natural. It’s far from a floppy or shapeless collar: here, it’s precisely the absence of rigid structure that gives the piece its controlled flexibility.

Relaxation That Remains Polished

Today, if the Cuban collar is making a comeback in collections, it’s not just for its retro charm or exotic flair. It meets a very contemporary need: to have style without feeling confined in a rigid silhouette. It’s a credible alternative to the button-down collar, without ever tipping into sloppiness. It perfectly embodies today’s in-between, halfway between formal and casual, where dress codes become more flexible and personal.

The Cuban collar shirt relies on three essential elements: a fluid fabric (such as linen, viscose, or a light cotton), a straight, non-fitted cut, and a well-positioned neckline that falls just right, neither gaping nor tight. Its strength is that it structures the outfit without any accessories: no need for a tie, stays, or collar buttons. It stands on its own.

Worn alone with canvas trousers or tucked under a light jacket, it commands an attitude: elegant, relaxed, controlled. It’s a piece that lets both the body and style breathe.

The Right Choices: Fabrics and Shades to Favor

Fabrics That Make All the Difference

A well-cut Cuban collar is not enough: it’s the fabric that reveals its full potential. Its opening, its hold, its natural drape depend directly on the chosen fabric. Linen, for example, plays a key role: its thicker, slightly stiff fibers offer that clean relaxed look that avoids the shapeless "beach shirt" effect. Its lively wrinkles give it texture, authenticity, and depth.

Cotton, on the other hand, provides more density. Especially when slightly textured or washed, it maintains a nice line and good breathability. As for blends, like viscose, silk, or Tencel, they introduce another dynamic: more fluidity, more movement, almost a sensuality in wear. A good Cuban collar shirt does not cling, it floats lightly, follows the gesture, and fits the shoulder without ever sticking to the skin.

This relationship between fabric and structure is essential: a fabric that is too heavy breaks the opening effect, a fabric that is too light makes the collar unstable. At Harold, we favor fabrics that have life: neither stiff nor soft, capable of evolving throughout the day without ever collapsing.

Soft Shades, Just the Right Amount of Sun

Although the Cuban collar comes from the South, it cannot handle excess. Rather than giving in to the postcard tropical print, we bet on a palette inspired by light: off-whites that evoke the warm walls of Mediterranean villages, sandy beiges, slightly smoky greens, and weathered blues like a summer sky gently fading. These are soft but assertive colors, never neutral, that harmonize well with the skin as well as the rest of the wardrobe.

We also choose them for their ability to cross seasons, to easily come out of the closet without requiring a thousand adjustments. No need for artifices: a good Cuban collar shirt holds by its cut, its fabric, and this slightly sunny color that sets a style without imposing a message.

How to Wear the Cuban Collar?

The "Chic Casual" Style

The real asset of this collar is its natural versatility. It adapts to a multitude of situations without ever exaggerating. During the day, a plain Cuban collar shirt, slightly unbuttoned, worn directly on the skin with straight canvas trousers or structured shorts, is enough to create a clean but relaxed silhouette. For summer evenings, it can be layered over a fitted white T-shirt or slipped under a fine knit sweater, collar open, to maintain that feeling of ease.

And if you really want to twist it, dare the contrast: a flowing Cuban collar shirt under a well-cut light jacket (in seersucker, linen, or cool wool). It’s the perfect meeting of relaxation and sophistication. Even in a tailored version — dress trousers, fine loafers — the Cuban collar brings a little air of controlled insolence, perfect for summer weddings or rooftop aperitifs.

Accessorizing the Cuban Collar

The Cuban collar naturally draws the eye. So there’s no need to overload the silhouette. But a few well-chosen accessories can discreetly enhance the look. A fine chain, in silver or pale gold, worn under the collar, subtly catches the light without trying to stand out. A watch with a clean design, with a white dial and a natural leather strap or matte steel, asserts the style with precision.

For glasses, models with slightly retro lines, like round frames or aviator-inspired shapes, go well with the spirit of the Cuban collar. And if you want to add a headpiece, it’s better to stay in the summer spirit: a linen cap or a modern panama continue this impression of lightness without breaking the balance of the outfit.