Like all the best things in menswear, the Cuban collar shirt is a must-have because it’s versatile. You could wear the same one to a summer wedding and again to the beach the following weekend.

This type of shirt is something of a comeback hero of men’s wardrobes. Also known as a revere collar or camp collar, it first came to prominence in the 1950s, but in more recent decades it was a shapeless garment synonymous with obnoxious tourists and Chandler Bing.

That changed in 2014 when labels like Louis Vuitton and Missoni brought it back, refreshed, ushering in a new way to wear crisp, cleanly-cut midcentury fashion. The style has been growing in popularity ever since.

The distinctive collar design was originally designed to be casual – there’s no top button, no starched fold and no shortage of chest on show. But opting for something other than a traditional collar also makes it a subtle dandy-ish decision, a conscious peacock’s step from the norm.

It’s worth the gamble. The best Cuban collar shirts are flattering to most body shapes. The collar broadens your upper body, while the casual style better carries prints and bold colours than lots of other shirt styles.

The seven looks below prove that not only do you need one this summer, you’ll get plenty of wear from it.

With Tailored Trousers

Reiss

It was in the 1950s that Cuban collar shirts first made a stamp on western menswear. Think early Elvis, mid-century resort wear – maybe a touch of the well-dressed mobster for good measure. It’s technically a dressed-down look but, like everything else from the era, tailored nonetheless.

This is also one of those rare outfits from the past that you can wear pretty much unchanged in the present. Pick neutral colours, perhaps some piping detail on the shirt. On the legs, try some pinstripe trousers or a plain pleated style and tuck the shirt in for an elegant, unfussy way to see out warm summer evenings.