The Best Polo Shirts for When a T-Shirt Won’t Cut It

As the de facto shirt for tennis players since the 1930s, the polo shirt has transcended its athletic roots, becoming a casual wardrobe staple appropriate for everyone. Polo athletes adopted the style soon after tennis players and by the mid-century, the public recognized the short sleeve, soft collar, jersey-knit shirt as a ‘polo shirt.’

In 1972, Ralph Lauren introduced a polo shirt for everyday wear to his Polo label, catalyzing the design’s dissemination into the western wardrobe. Now, countless brands are offering versions of this preppy, smart garment. The design has remained relatively unchanged for decades and is an easy way to dress up any casual outfit.

Before You Buy

What Is a Polo Shirt?

While there are long-sleeve polos and plenty of short-sleeve shirts, a polo shirt is a short sleeve, soft collar, jersey-knit shirt. You’ll find them everywhere, from the tennis court and golf course to mid-size offices and electronics stores. They’re a popular component of your usual uniform but a pillar of the prep style, too. And, as mentioned before, the polo is technically sportswear, which has resulted in versions in myriad performance materials.

Are Polo Shirts Business Casual?

Polo shirts are definitely business casual. Dress codes aplenty call for collared shirts and a collar is the polo shirt’s defining feature. Plus, plenty look sleek enough to be worn with dress pants and dress shoes.

Are Polo Shirts Meant to Be Tucked in?

While you should probably tuck your polo shirt in if you’re headed somewhere with a business casual dress code, the polo can be worn untucked in casual and sporty situations. In the latter context, the polo shirt can be worn with jeans or shorts. When tucking yours in, make sure you’re wearing dress pants, not jeans — and put a belt on if your pants have loops for one.

How to Layer a Polo Shirt

Although you shouldn’t wear a polo shirt underneath a suit — the sleeves poking out of your jacket are part of the look — you can wear a polo shirt underneath a number of other outerwear options (like a denim jacket, for example).

What’s the Difference Between Regular and Slim Fit?

In terms of fit, polo shirts vary depending on the measurements and materials used. For example, a brand might report that a polo shirt has a regular fit, but the fit will have more tailored sleeves or some other specific design change that makes the shirt’s fit feel a little ambiguous. Also, included here, you’ll find polo shirts that come in a regular (in terms of height) and tall sizing to provide options for every body type. For all intended purposes here, regular fit means that the shirt is roomy in the torso, and has a naturally loose drape, and slim fit means that the shirt has a tighter, nipped torso, along with tighter shoulders, which helps to portray a more compressed silhouette that hugs the body more.

Everlane

Best Overall Polo Shirt

Everlane The Performance Polo

• $65.00 at Everlane

Material: 93% cotton, 7% elastane

Silhouette: Regular-fit

Colors Offered: 3

Everlane’s Performance Polo is a great option for those who are constantly on the move. The front button placket has a fabric cover, the collar spreads out and there’s a split hem with even sides. Essentially, it has the performance quality of technical fabric due to the pique’s breathable, durable weave—without the look and feel of the sometimes flimsy looking fabric.

J. Crew

Best Affordable Polo Shirt

J.Crew Classic Piqué Polo Shirt

• $65.00 at J Crew

Material: 100% cotton

Silhouette: Classic, Slim, Tall

Colors Offered: 16

J.Crew’s plain Piqué Polo is a no-fuss option that lives up to the design codes of what makes a good polo shirt. Plus, it comes with features like the two-button front and a tennis tail, which simply means the back is slightly longer than the front. There are rib trims at the cuffs and it’s made with 100% cotton.

Todd Snyder

Best Upgrade Polo Shirt

Todd Snyder Fine Pique Polo

• $118.00 at Todd Snyder

Material: 51% cotton, 47% Tencel, 2% lycra

Silhouette: Regular-fit

Colors Offered: 8

Todd Snyder’s pique polo will hold up in the wash but also looks elevated enough to be worn with a suit. The placket is long, though, so it’ll run pretty deep when unbuttoned all the way. The brand used the aforementioned materials to create a fine pique fabric that feels sophisticated and sturdy. Todd Snyder’s option comes in eight color options.

Outerknown

Best Organic Cotton Polo Shirt

Outerknown Saltwater Slub Polo

• $78.00 at Outerknown

Material: 100% organic cotton

Silhouette: Regular-fit

Colors Offered: 4

This option from Outerknown has a 2-ply self-collar, fisheye corozo buttons and herringbone tape detail at the internal placket for stability. It also has a slub tee feel, due to the brand’s usage of organic cotton slub jersey from Portugal. The slub feel makes the shirt a great option for lounging or as an everyday shirt that doesn’t feel so rigid.

Sunspel

Best Mesh Polo Shirt

Sunspel Riviera Polo Shirt

• $160.00 at Sunspel

Material: 100% Supima cotton

Silhouette: Slim-fit

Colors Offered: 27

Designed for Daniel Craig’s James Bond in Casino Royale, this shirt is made from breathable, soft Supima cotton. The design features a chest pocket, side slits and tonal buttons. It fits well for the average slim body type. The Riviera polo shirt sizes range from extra-small to extra-extra-extra-large. The shirt’s fabric has traceable roots to California and has a lightweight feel.

UNIQLO

Best Rugby Polo Shirt

Uniqlo Rugger Striped Short-Sleeve Polo Shirt

• $4.00 at Uniqlo

Material: 100% cotton

Silhouette: Relaxed-fit

Colors Offered: 2

Perfectly on time for the rugby polo shirt trend impacting fashion for the last decade. Uniqlo’s Rugger polo shirt provides an affordable access point for anyone to join in on the sporty movement. This one comes in a subdued wine, gold and white colorway that can pair well with jeans or khakis and loafers or sneakers.

Bonobos

Best Stretch Polo Shirt

Bonobos Stretch Pique Polo

• $75.00 at Bonobos

Material: 98% pima cotton, 2% spandex

Silhouette: Slim-fit or standard-fit

Colors Offered: 18

This option from Bonobos is woven to be breezy and moves with the body. Also, Bonobos’ stretch pique polo can easily go from the golf course to date night. The top has flat-knit rib trims, which makes its finishings neat and crisp, emphasizing its timeless sophistication.

Mr. Porter

Best T-shirt Style Polo Shirt

Theory Bron Slub Cotton-Jersey Polo Shirt

• $57.00 at MR PORTER
  $95.00 (40% off)

Material: 100% cotton

Silhouette: Regular-fit

Colors Offered: 2

Theory’s Bron Slub polo shirt comes in a green and gray colorway and is a comfy option no matter the season. Due to its fabrication, this polo shirt is lightweight and stretches with ease. The shirt’s sizing ranges from small to extra-extra-large and it’s machine washable—while taking a classic approach to the polo shirt silhouette by featuring a point collar and classic three-button placket.

Lacoste

Best Classic Polo Shirt

Lacoste Smart Paris Polo

• $125.00 at lacoste.com

Material: 94% cotton, 6% elastane

Silhouette: Regular-fit

Colors Offered: 18

Lacoste’s Paris Pique Polo is one of the popular options because of its elegance. The tiny gator logo is tonal on the Paris version, which makes it easier to wear—due to it not being as flashy and branded as the logomania trend that has encapsulated fashion for the last half-decade—with a broader array of bottoms.

L.L. Bean

Best Wrinkle-Free Polo Shirt

L.L. Bean Men’s Premium Double L Polo

• $40.00 at L.L.Bean

Material: Cotton

Silhouette: Relaxed-fit in regular and tall sizing options

Colors Offered: 11

Honestly, this is what a classic polo shirt looks like: two buttons, a strong, thick collar and banded sleeves. But L.L. Bean’s is more than just traditional. It’s wrinkle- and fade-resistant. This classic option from L.L. Bean has a size range of S-XXXL for regular and tall fits.

Huckberry

Best Wool Polo Shirt

Proof 72-Hour Merino Polo Shirt

• $98.00 at Huckberry

Material: 89% 16.5 micron merino wool, 11% nylon

Silhouette: Slim-fit, performance-fit

Colors Offered: 10

This polo’s name is a reference to how long you can wear it without smelling. (Seriously.) It’s made from merino wool, which wicks moisture and traps the smell of bacteria and helps prevent the build-up of bacteria. The top has a slim, performance fit, so it would be best to go a size up for a looser feel. Also, this polo shirt comes in 10 neutral colors that will merge seamlessly with items already in your wardrobe.

Brooks Brothers

Best Terry Polo Shirt

Brooks Brothers Terry Cloth Polo Shirt

• $63.00 at Brooks Brothers
  $90.00 (30% off)

Material: 100% cotton

Silhouette: Extra-slim-fit

Colors Offered: 2

Bored of standard cotton pique polos? Try one made from Terry, which is soft, summery and equally stylish. This one from Brooks Brothers features an extended front button placket that extends deep into the wearer’s chest. The final button lines up with the chest pocket, creating a clean line when buttoned all the way and boldness unbuttoned.

Buck Mason

Best Softest Polo Shirt

Buck Mason Sueded Cotton Polo

• $68.00 at Buck Mason
  $95.00 (28% off)

Material: Cotton

Silhouette: Slim-fit in standard and tall variations

Colors Offered: 9

Admittedly, most polos feel different than T-shirts because of their better fabric weaves. But Buck Mason’s doesn’t. The woven cotton is processed for a light suede-like softness akin to subtle fleece. But don’t let the term “sueded cotton” make you anxious—the fabric is breathable and breezy due to its cotton makeup. Also, sizes for the polo shirts range from extra-small to extra-extra-large.

COS

Best Waffle Knit Polo Shirt

COS Regular-Fit Knitted Polo Shirt

• $45.00 at cos.com
  $89.00 (50% off)

Material: 100% organic cotton

Silhouette: Regular-fit

Colors Offered: 2

COS is known as a brand that creates clothing with a minimalistic twist. It features an intricate waffle knit that’s breathable and it’s made with 100% organic cotton—meaning it’s grown with little-to-no pesticides. It has a point collar and also has a relaxed fit for a top that feels structured yet not stuffy.

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