Wax London built its reputation on fabric-forward pieces with personality. The Porto crochet shirt is the most literal expression of that idea: a garment that exists almost entirely to make a statement about texture and colour.
The Verdict
At $190, this is a confident summer shirt for someone who already owns the neutrals and wants something that reads as considered rather than accidental. If that's not you, there are better ways to spend the money.
The Make
The Porto is a cotton-blend crochet knit, 51% cotton and 49% acrylic. The acrylic content is higher than you'd hope at this price, and it's worth saying plainly: a crochet shirt that's nearly half synthetic will wear differently in heat than one made from a full cotton or linen crochet. The open, breathable construction compensates somewhat, but the fibre blend is a real consideration if you run warm or plan to wear this in actual summer conditions.
The construction details are largely surface-level. Crochet edging at the collar, cuffs, and hem is consistent with the overall aesthetic, and the button-through front placket is clean. No interior finishing details are published, and the brand doesn't provide fabric weight. Made in China, designed in London, which is straightforward enough for this tier.
The ecru and orange stripe colourway is the whole story here. It earns a 7 out of 10 on the loud-to-subtle scale, which means it will define the outfit rather than support it. That's a feature, not a flaw, but it narrows the use case considerably.
The Fit
Relaxed cut, true to size across XS to XXL. This is not a piece that benefits from going up or down; the relaxed silhouette is intended and it works as designed. Wear it untucked over shorts or light trousers. Tucking it in is possible but fights the garment's logic.
The open crochet construction means what you wear underneath will show through. Plan accordingly.
The Context
The Porto sits in a specific lane: resort-adjacent, texture-forward, built for somewhere warm. Versatility scores a 4 out of 10, which is accurate. This is not a shirt that moves easily between contexts. It's a beach-town lunch shirt, a summer wedding guest shirt if the dress code allows for it, or a deliberate weekend piece for someone who doesn't need their clothes to do double duty.
At $190, the competition includes Corridor's handwoven camp shirts and some of Drake's seasonal offerings, both of which offer better fibre composition but less overt character. If character is the point, the Porto has few direct competitors at the price. If construction rigour is the priority, look elsewhere.
The Personal Note
I haven't owned this one. The 49% acrylic would give me pause before buying, and the occasion range is narrow enough that it'd need to earn its place in a wardrobe with intention. That said, it's the kind of shirt that photographs badly and wears better in person, and Wax London has enough goodwill from their better pieces to warrant giving it a try in person before dismissing it on paper.
