As we speak, one of the best polo shirts are a fallback piece of trusty menswear however the unique polo shirt was designed by French tennis professional René Lacoste within the Twenties, as an improve on the long-sleeved button-downs that modern tastes in some way thought acceptable for charging spherical a courtroom. Lacoste disagreed, so capped the sleeves and crafted his shirts from knitted piqué cotton, for added breeziness. The makeover gained him seven grand slams and envious glances throughout the web.
Racket hung up, Lacoste debuted his eponymous polo shirt model, with a crocodile brand impressed by his on-court nickname. It turned synonymous with the form of sports activities the place sweat and smartness are equally valued; the material retains golfers and polo gamers cool on the turf, however the buttoned placket and collar allow them to step straight into the clubhouse.
These traits endure, even when you’re now extra prone to see polos within the crowd than on the courtroom. However whenever you’re sporting yours to observe, not play, one of the best males’s polo shirts are nonetheless breathable and reduce slim. “It has develop into some of the versatile gadgets in a person’s wardrobe,” says Damien Paul, head of menswear at MatchesFashion. “I’ve seen extra traditional types worn with a linen swimsuit at a summer time marriage ceremony, which is suitably formal, after which you’ve the likes of Givenchy whose graphic method works nicely on a a lot youthful man off-duty.”
There are nearly numerous methods to put on a polo shirt. As a result of it sits within the sporty-smart candy spot, it really works to improve your weekend seems, or cut back the stuffiness of your formalwear. “Shorts, denim and chinos make for one of the best companions, however a polo shirt will be smartened up with a blazer or relaxed with a light-weight bomber jacket,” says Phill Tarling, a stylist that counts M&S and Prime Gear amongst earlier paychecks. “Simply be certain that the collar’s folded down, and save your favorite soccer polo jersey for match days solely.”
That’s summer time sorted. Merci, René.
So that you don’t should do the digging, we’ve rounded up the 16 finest polo shirt manufacturers for males to maintain you effortlessly fashionable all summer time lengthy.
In a rush? Try our high picks for finest polo shirts right here:
Our Decide
Lacoste Slim Match Polo Shirt
In the case of one of the best polo shirt manufacturers, it would not get any extra iconic than Lacoste.
BUY NOW
Runner Up
J.Crew Jersey Polo Shirt
A model that is perfected American prep, J.Crew is the place to go for one of the best polo shirts that will not break the financial institution.
BUY NOW
Additionally Nice
Luca Faloni Cotton Piqué Polo
Handcrafted in Italy with premium supplies makes Luca Faloni polo shirts a reduce above the remaining.
BUY NOW
Polo Ralph Lauren
The clue’s within the identify, isn’t it? Ralph Lauren’s signature piece aka among the best polo shirts on the planet, has been reimagined in numerous methods over time. Some types bear the hallmarks and insignias of the game that impressed the garment within the first place however many extra are merely about can’t-be-beaten preppy trend. Accessible in 5 materials and three matches, the model additionally not too long ago launched the Earth Polo, made out of recycled plastic bottles.
Purchase Now
Luca Faloni
For pure luxurious within the polo shirt division, Luca Faloni will get high marks. Crafted in Italy with supplies starting from silk to cashmere to premium cotton piqué, you may count on gentle and breathable materials that can carry you thru the hotter season. With cautious consideration to element within the mom of pearl buttons and ribbed collars, these polos are equally at dwelling within the boardroom and on the seashore, channeling easy Italian type.
Purchase Now
Lacoste
It’d be unfair to chart one of the best of the bunch with out referencing the very man that began all of it. Although whereas Lacoste has constructed a polo shirt model status on traditional iterations, know that trendy – and dare we are saying it, cooler – selections exist, with bigger motifs or attention-grabbing patterns and prints.
Purchase Now
Uniqlo
Reasonably priced, easy-wearing fundamentals is what Uniqlo is all about, so in fact the Japanese model shares one of the best polos. There are dozens of designs, many with moisture wicking materials and know-how designed to cease the tees from unravelling or dropping their form. The model additionally shares smarter polos in a advantageous merino wool for dressed-down suiting.
Purchase Now
Fred Perry
Tennis whites weren’t solely dominated by good outdated René. A while after, British tennis participant Fred Perry launched his personal namesake label. Relatively than traditional courtroom shapes nevertheless, the polo shirt model has advanced into one thing much more trend-led, adopted by mod trend amongst others.
Purchase Now
Sunspel
Finest recognized for wonderful T-shirts and wonderful materials, Sunspel’s polo shirt providing is huge and fantastic. You may decide from Sea Island cotton, jersey blends, merino wool, waffle knits, towelling and extra, however there are two issues that unite them. They’re all luxurious to the the contact and are available a gentle, flattering reduce that can make every single day really feel like a day within the south of France.
Purchase Now
Orlebar Brown
Premium beachwear is what polo shirt model Orlebar Brown does higher than just about anybody. Tailor-made however supremely snug, these polos are designed on your down-time however they’re simply sensible sufficient to put on to the workplace. Okay, perhaps not the towelling ones. Anticipate wealthy colors, good choices on the collar design and loads of retro-modern designs.
Purchase Now
J.Crew
Arguably one of the best place on the excessive avenue for preppy American classics, J.Crew’s polos are available a number of shapes and many colors, however our favourites are the model’s throwback designs. Search for boxy cuts, sun-faded colors and stripes straight out of the 4th July weekend.
Purchase Now
James Perse
Luxurious LA model James Perse makes a few of the most decadent shirts on the planet, the softness and the value tags each prone to make your jaw drop. The vibe is easygoing East Coast dwelling, which implies a floaty match and darkish impartial color palette.
Purchase Now
Lanvin
If you happen to thought one of the best polo shirts to be the only real protect of sports activities manufacturers, suppose once more; Lanvin, the world’s oldest impartial French trend home, is simply as clever. Although as an alternative of breathable cotton piqués, the label’s polo shirts keep on with its luxurious roots with Italian wool and minimal stripe detailing.
Purchase Now
Gant
One other purveyor of preppy trend, Gant sells a mighty vary of polo shirts and has executed since 1949. The gathering contains stripes, florals, distinction collars and a rainbow of colors. Look out for its Tech Prep shirts, comprised of a breathable wicking pique cotton.
Purchase Now
Tommy Hilfiger
Europe shouldn’t take all of the credit score. Tommy Hilfiger, king of Ivy League prep, launched his personal tackle the traditional polo shirt, imbuing the Land Of The Free’s favorite shades inside a conventional, flattering form. The polo shirt model is doing throwback nineties types higher than anybody so begin there when you’re shopping.
Purchase Now
River Island
One of the best polo shirt is a traditional piece of menswear however that doesn’t imply it’s resistant to traits. If you happen to’re searching for one thing extra directional that gained’t empty the checking account, strive River Island. Its polos lean into the prevailing menswear themes of the season – proper now which means massive stripes, zip necks, and 50s particulars like piping on the sleeves and collar.
Purchase Now
Marks & Spencer
This British establishment has one of many largest collections of polo shirts on the excessive avenue. It’ll take you some time to look via all of it however to navigate straight to one of the best bits, we advocate its fitted wool polos for smart-casual outfits and a few retro block color choices with distinction piping on the sleeves. The costs are onerous to beat, too.
Purchase Now
Reiss
Good-casual doesn’t get a lot better on the excessive avenue than premium menswear hub Reiss . Positive materials, fashionable touches like open colors and non-boring colors are all par for the course. Good informal workplace gear that flips straight into going-out garments.
Purchase Now
Dunhill
Some of the luxurious trend locations in London, Dunhill doesn’t cease at advantageous leather-based items and superior golf apparel. Its polo assortment is intensive with outrageously gentle cottons and even silk choices to be discovered. It does an excellent line in ’50s throwback choices, too.
Purchase Now