Tommy Bahama Sizing and Fit: Camp Shirts and Polos Explained

Tommy Bahama shirts run true to size, Small through XXX-Large, and in our experience most men take the same size they wear in Bugatchi or Robert Barakett. You do not need to size down. The camp shirts hang straight and untucked, so the fit is easy rather than fitted. Here is what we stock, what it costs, and how to wear it.

Do Tommy Bahama shirts run big or true to size?

True to size, with room built in. Every Tommy Bahama shirt we carry runs Small to XXX-Large, cut with ease through the chest and body.

Ed's counter advice: take your usual size. Go down one only if you are between sizes and like a cleaner line. The camp shirts have a straight hem, so they sit untucked and should end around the middle of your fly. The polos fit closer than the camp shirts, but they are still an everyday polo, not a slim athletic cut.

Which Tommy Bahama camp shirt should you buy: silk or knit?

Buy the silk if you want one shirt that looks expensive on a patio and holds up at dinner. Buy the knit for travel and all-day heat.

The silk one. The Tommy Bahama - Kona Luxe Border Silk Camp Shirt - Bristol Blue is $231 CAD. The border pattern is woven into the silk as a jacquard rather than printed on, which is why it looks richer in person and does not fade like a print. Traditional camp collar, straight hem, soft drape. Three online customers bought it this summer. Same price in Dockside Blue and Baked Apple.

The knit one. The Tommy Bahama - Palm Fresco Beach Border IslandZone® Camp Shirt - Campanula is $182 CAD. A knit camp shirt with embroidered detail, so it feels like a good tee with a collar. IslandZone fabric is wrinkle resistant, moisture wicking and quick drying, made with recycled polyester. This is the travel shirt.

Honest trade-off: silk needs care and shows sweat more readily; the knit is low maintenance but lacks the drape and sheen. Buying one, buy the silk.

What Tommy Bahama shirts are in stock at Ed's right now?

The two camp shirts above (the silk in Large, X-Large and XXX-Large; the knit in Medium, Large and XXX-Large), two polos, a couple of tees and one pair of shorts. Stock is one or two pieces per size, so check the size dropdown before you fall in love with a colour.

• Tommy Bahama - Emfielder Johnny Collar - Blue Note, $148 CAD. Buttonless Johnny collar, soft cotton blend, UPF rated. Medium to X-Large.
• Tommy Bahama - Emfielder Icon Polo - Black, $154 CAD. Supima cotton blend, three-button placket, UPF 30. Large, XX-Large and XXX-Large.

Full list in the Tommy Bahama collection. If your size is not showing, email us; we can often bring one in.

How do you wear a camp shirt without looking like you are on vacation?

Put it over a proper pair of pants. A camp shirt reads as "resort" because it is photographed with swim shorts and sandals; swap the bottom half and it becomes a dinner shirt.

Our go-to pairing is the Kona Luxe silk over Alberto - Ceramica Stone Navy pants, $298 CAD. Alberto's Ceramica fabric is breathable, keeps its shape and does not crease, so it looks tailored without feeling stiff. For a casual evening, a dark 34 Heritage in the Charisma or Courage fit works under either shirt.

Three small rules: untucked, always; top button open, never two; loafers or a clean leather sneaker, not a flip-flop. If you want a camp collar in a knit, the Psycho Bunny Holden is the other one we carry; see our staff pick.

How do you care for a silk camp shirt?

Follow the care label. If it allows washing, hand wash cold with a mild detergent, do not wring, and dry on a wide hanger out of direct sun. If it says dry clean, dry clean. Between wears, air it overnight instead of washing. Press with a cool iron on the inside or a steamer held off the fabric. Store on a hanger, and let deodorant dry before you put it on.

Who is a Tommy Bahama shirt right for?

A man who wants to look put together in the heat without a dress shirt: golfers, travellers, cottage weekends, patio dinners, "summer casual" weddings. The forgiving sizing also makes it an easy gift. It is not the shirt for a slim, fitted look; for that, a Bugatchi shaped fit is the better buy.

Common questions

Should I size down in a Tommy Bahama camp shirt?

Usually no. Take your usual size; the shirt is meant to have room. If unsure, email us your chest measurement and the brand you normally wear and we will tell you which size to order.

Can I buy Tommy Bahama in Canada and have it shipped?

Yes. We ship across Canada for $6.95 (free over $75), priced in Canadian dollars. We also ship to the US for $10 (free over $75); Tommy Bahama is an imported brand, so US orders may be charged duty on arrival.

Can I return a Tommy Bahama shirt if the size is wrong?

Yes, unworn with tags, within the window on our shipping and returns page. The easiest way to avoid a return is to ask us about size first.

Next step: pick your size in the Kona Luxe Silk Camp Shirt in Bristol Blue or browse the Tommy Bahama collection. Shipping is free over $75 in Canada and the US; US orders may be subject to duty since the brand is imported. Or come see us in Markham and try both fabrics side by side.

Read next: Why Alberto pants are worth the investment, 34 Heritage fit guide: Courage, Charisma, Cool and Verona explained, and 5 ways to style a polo shirt.