The polo shirt is maybe one of the vital misunderstood clothes in trendy menswear. This soft-collared, short-sleeved prime has had one thing of a foul rap lately – shunned by many for its alleged “uncoolness” and lack of discernible fashionable outfit functions.
It could, nevertheless, be a crying disgrace to disclaim this traditional piece a spot in your wardrobe. The stress-free of costume codes lately has afforded the polo a brand new likelihood to shine. Now this sporting staple is simply as at residence worn alongside tailoring on a date night time as it’s with shorts to a summer time gathering.
The polo shirt is formally again, which means now is an effective time to start out sourcing your personal. However earlier than you do, right here’s every thing you have to find out about one of the vital surprisingly versatile clothes a person can personal, together with the place it got here from and which manufacturers are making the best choices.
What Makes A Nice Polo Shirt?
The Resort Co
In relation to searching for the proper polo, there are some things to be thought-about. Not all polo shirts are created equal, and it pays to know what to search for if you wish to find yourself with an excellent one.
Before everything, the match is essential: a polo shirt needs to be slim becoming however not tight; the shoulder seams ought to sit on the level the place arm meets torso; the collar needs to be comfy when fixed as much as the final button; and the hem ought to sit simply above the hips.
Material is necessary, too. Pique cotton needs to be smooth and stretchy – by no means scratchy. When you’re going for a knitted model, it needs to be of a really nice gauge and really feel smooth to the contact.
Sizing varies enormously from model to model. Lacoste, for instance, works on a numbered system, so be sure you know your dimension earlier than pulling the set off.
The Greatest Polo Shirt Manufacturers
There are various manufacturers on the market placing their identify to the common-or-garden polo shirt. Right here we element those doing the very best job.
ASKET
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- ASKET The Pique Polo
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- ASKET The Lengthy Sleeve Pique Polo
Swedish model ASKET lives as much as the Scandi stereotype by providing a stripped-back, minimalist menswear assortment that you could construct capsule wardrobe round. As you’d think about, the polo shirt sits proper on this remit, with the label providing a easy alternative: would you like quick or lengthy sleeves?
Each variations are crafted utilizing a considerable natural pique cotton knit, which drapes completely because of its straight lower and a neat three-button French placket. In the meantime a nice rib collar and mom of pearl buttons show that no ingredient has been ignored or scrimped on.
Having first been launched in 2016 and now on their fifth era, the model has arguably now achieved perfection.
Store now at ASKET
Aurelien
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- Aurelien Petrol Linen Polo Shirt
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- Aurelien Yellow Terry Towelling Polo Shirt
Though primarily based in Amsterdam, Aurelien is a champion of timeless Mediterranean fashion. Oozing the relaxed magnificence and carefree joie-de-vivre of the Riviera, it’s polos are lower slim in quite a lot of high-end supplies, starting from terry towelling and Egyptian cotton to 100% linen and extrafine merino wool.
Coming in summer-ready pastels and daring major hues, they’re an important addition to any refined gent’s resortwear arsenal.
Store now at Aurelien
Vilebrequin
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- Vilebrequin Cotton Altering Coloration Pique Polo Shirt
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- Vilebrequin Linen Jersey Polo Shirt Strong
Vilebrequin has been producing luxurious resortwear since 1971, and from the very starting it’s at all times positioned nice emphasis on material and match. Its vary of polo shirts isn’t any exception, crafted utilizing the very best high quality materials together with cotton, linen and Tencel.
The French model has change into famend for its distinctive prints and vivid colourways, however whether or not you go for one thing loud or understated, these are among the finest luxurious polos in the marketplace. There’s a purpose they’re a standard sight in high-end resorts throughout the Riviera.
Store now at Vilebrequin
The Resort Co
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- The Resort Co Terry Polo Shirt Navy
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- The Resort Co Knitted Polo Shirt Azure
Sustainable, moral manufacturing is on the coronary heart of every thing The Resort Co does, with every garment handcrafted by expert artisans working in small, family-owned factories dotted round Italy, Spain and Portugal.
In relation to polos, the Swedish model gives a small however completely curated choice. There’s an open collar terry material design that’s ideally suited for lounging across the pool within the peak of summer time, and a knitted model crafted from 100% GOTS licensed natural cotton that is available in each long- and short-sleeve format to see you thru each season.
Store now at The Resort Co
Luca Faloni
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- Luca Faloni Basic Pique Polo
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- Luca Faloni High quality Silk-Cashmere Polo
There’s just one factor higher than a traditional polo shirt, and that’s an expensive, Italian-made polo shirt, crafted from the best pique cotton. Sound good? Effectively, that’s precisely what you’ll get in the event you select to take your cash to Luca Faloni.
There are short-sleeved and long-sleeved choices accessible, and the material selections don’t finish at conventional pique. When you fancy one thing a bit completely different, you possibly can choose from linen-jersey and silk-cotton too.
Purchase now at Luca Faloni
Polo Ralph Lauren
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- Polo Ralph Lauren Slim Match Polo
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- Polo Ralph Lauren Slim-Match Cotton-Piqué Polo Shirt
The polo shirt was already properly established by the point Ralph Lauren (featured picture, prime) began together with it in collections. Nevertheless, the East Coast clothes shop’s knack for preppy styling and collegiate cool thrust it even additional into the highlight.
For a very long time now the polo has been certainly one of Ralph Lauren’s staple gadgets, a lot in order that a complete line has been created across the theme.
Purchase now at SSENSE
Percival
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- Percival Pullover Polo Shirt
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- Percival Negroni Knit Polo Jumper
For summer time jaunts, whether or not to the Italian coast or a pub beer backyard, knitted polos are at all times excessive on our agenda. Typically constructed from a wool or cotton-blend, which helps smarten up the fashion, they provide off a mid-century vibe that works properly with pleated chinos, shorts or denims in addition to loafers and minimal sneakers.
Realizing this properly, Percival produces the most effective collections of knitted polos in the marketplace, with designs starting from vibrant stripes to tonal prints and every thing in between.
Purchase now at Percival
Fred Perry
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- Fred Perry Reissues Unique Twin Tipped Polo
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- Fred Perry Slim Match Twin Tipped Polo
British heritage model Fred Perry is a lot greater than only a tennis clothes firm. It is a label that has underpinned numerous youth subcultures, turning into nothing wanting iconic within the course of.
The Fred Perry polo shirt isn’t only a sporting staple, however a counter-culture icon. Uniform for the mods, punks, skinheads and past, it’s a garment steeped in historical past and a priceless asset in any man’s wardrobe.
Purchase now at END.
A Day’s March
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- A Day’s March Terry Polo
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- A Day’s March Ambroz Merino Polo
What’s a polo shirt if not a timeless important? And what’s A Day’s March if not the most effective manufacturers on the planet relating to procuring that kind of factor?
With its elevated tackle traditional wardrobe fundamentals, the Scandi model is a one-stop store in your day by day necessities, polo shirts included. Count on a extra refined tackle this summer time staple, reimagined in premium, tactile materials like merino and terry material and ethically produced to the very best normal.
Purchase now at A Day’s March
James Perse
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- James Perse Gentle Slub Jersey Quick Sleeve Polo
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- James Perse Brushed Jersey Pocket Polo
Closely influenced by the laid-back vibes of America’s West Coast, James Perse’s distinctive knack for merging informal styling with luxurious is unmatched.
Identified for his high-end, plain T-shirts and different premium staples, the polo shirt makes an apparent addition to Perse’s squeaky clear seasonal collections.
Purchase now at James Perse
Lacoste
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- Lacoste Emblem-Patch Quick-Sleeve Polo Shirt
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- Lacoste Basic L12.12 Polo
Rene Lacoste’s eponymous label has been instrumental in getting the polo shirt to the place it’s at this time.
The French model’s crocodile brand has change into emblematic of crisp, European cool and slick, sporty fashion. The unique, arguably the very best and an plain must-have merchandise for any self-respecting fashionable gent.
Purchase now at END.
Reiss
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- Reiss Kennington Slim Match Cotton Cuban Collar Shirt
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- Reiss Maxwell Merino Zip Neck Polo
Utilizing their signature mix of traditional and up to date, high-street favorite Reiss manages brings the timeless polo bang updated through trendy fabrications and detailing resembling zipped and open collars.
The British model’s knitted and patterned designs are notably noteworthy and assist raise the polo into assertion piece territory.
Purchase now at Reiss
Orlebar Brown
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- Orlebar Brown Terry Towelling
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- Orlebar Brown Sebastian Slim-Match Linen-Jersey Polo Shirt
Poolside hasn’t at all times been the simplest place to make a mode assertion. However Orlebar Brown’s model of luxurious resortwear has made the entire thing quite a bit simpler.
The British label’s easy but fashionable polos permit for optimum beach-to-bar potential. Sensible sufficient for a night drink, but relaxed sufficient for a stroll alongside the shoreline.
Purchase now at Orlebar Brown
Uniqlo
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- Uniqlo DRY-EX Polo Shirt
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- Uniqlo 100% Further High quality Merino Knit Lengthy Sleeved Polo Shirt
Japanese retailer Uniqlo is famend for its fabrications, utilizing their manufacturing capabilities and substantial shopping for energy to supply high-end supplies for a fraction of the price of luxurious manufacturers. You’ll be able to count on supremely comfy pique cotton, refined merino wool, sweat-wicking Dry-Ex, and their trademark odour-neutralising, quick-drying Airism material.
And the very best half? All of those may be had for below £35. Fill up.
Purchase now at Uniqlo
John Smedley
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- John Smedley Belper Slim-Match Merino Wool Polo Shirt
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- John Smedley Slim-Match Wool Polo Shirt
From rock ‘n’ roll royalty to James Bond himself, John Smedley has lengthy been kitting the fashion elite out in among the most interesting knitwear cash can purchase.
Why then are you studying about it in a roundup of polo shirts? Effectively, the British clothes shop’s output doesn’t finish at cardigans and crew necks, there are additionally some tailoring-friendly knitted variations on supply, too. Count on fine-gauge knits, premium supplies and a form-hugging match that’s second to none.
Purchase now at FarFetch
Sunspel
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- Sunspel Riviera Polo
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- Sunspel Riviera Cotton-Mesh Polo Shirt
Generally much less actually is extra, and no label gives extra concrete proof of this than Sunspel.
The British fundamentals model has carved out a distinct segment for itself because the premier purveyor of stripped-back luxurious – the straightforward issues executed properly. And polo shirts are definitely no exception.
Purchase now at MATCHESFASHION
Brunello Cucinelli
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- Brunello Cucinelli Ribbed Striped Linen and Cotton-Mix Polo Shirt
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- Brunello Cucinelli Cotton Polo Shirt
King Of Cashmere, Brunello Cucinelli made a reputation for himself crafting vibrant sweaters. In the present day, his namesake label is recognised for its ultra-luxe aesthetic, fashionable suiting and upscale informal put on.
The latter is the place the polo shirt finds its pure residence. Cucinelli’s polos are unrivalled relating to luxurious – boasting high-end fabrication and development, slick cuts and a wholesome dose of Italian aptitude.
Purchase now at FarFetch
Historical past Of The Polo Shirt
René Lacoste
Maybe considerably unsurprisingly, the polo shirt has its roots within the horseback sport from which it takes its identify. Within the Nineteen Twenties pique-cotton shirts grew to become widespread for taking part in polo, however the garment as we all know it at this time additionally has tennis to thank.
Legendary French tennis star René Lacoste discovered conventional tennis whites to be too stiff and restrictive. So he set about on a mission to create a prime that might nonetheless look the half whereas being comfy sufficient to play his finest recreation. The outcome was a short-sleeved shirt with an unstarched, flat, protruding collar, a buttoned placket and a shirt-tail longer on the again than the entrance. He first wore it on the 1926 US Open and it has been widespread ever since.
Within the years which have handed, many different manufacturers and designers have made the polo shirt a staple piece of their collections, additional cementing its place in menswear.