The polo shirt is probably probably the most misunderstood clothes in trendy menswear. This soft-collared, short-sleeved prime has had one thing of a foul rap in recent times – shunned by many for its alleged “uncoolness” and lack of discernible trendy outfit functions.
It might, nonetheless, be a crying disgrace to disclaim this basic piece a spot in your wardrobe. The stress-free of costume codes in recent times has afforded the polo a brand new likelihood to shine. Now this sporting staple is simply as at house worn alongside tailoring on a date night time as it’s with shorts to a summer season gathering.
The polo shirt is formally again, that means now is an efficient time to start out sourcing your personal. However earlier than you do, right here’s every thing you’ll want to find out about probably the most 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?
In terms of purchasing for the proper polo, there are some things to be thought of. Not all polo shirts are created equal, and it pays to know what to search for if you wish to find yourself with a superb one.
Firstly, the match is essential: a polo shirt ought to be slim becoming however not tight; the shoulder seams ought to sit on the level the place arm meets torso; the collar ought to be snug when mounted as much as the final button; and the hem ought to sit simply above the hips.
Cloth is necessary, too. Pique cotton ought to be smooth and stretchy – by no means scratchy. In case you’re going for a knitted model, it ought to be of a really effective gauge and really feel smooth to the contact.
Sizing varies vastly from model to model. Lacoste, for instance, works on a numbered system, so be sure to know your dimension earlier than pulling the set off.
The Greatest Polo Shirt Manufacturers
There are lots of manufacturers on the market placing their title to the common-or-garden polo shirt. Right here we element those doing one of the best job.
ASKET
Swedish model ASKET lives as much as the Scandi stereotype by providing a stripped-back, minimalist menswear assortment that you may construct capsule wardrobe round. As you’d think about, the polo shirt sits proper on this remit, with the label providing a easy selection: would you like quick or lengthy sleeves?
Each variations are crafted utilizing a considerable natural pique cotton knit, which drapes completely due to its straight minimize and a neat three-button French placket. In the meantime a effective rib collar and mom of pearl buttons show that no component has been missed or scrimped on.
Having first been launched in 2016 and now on their fifth technology, the model has arguably now achieved perfection.
Store now at ASKET
Aurelien
Though based mostly in Amsterdam, Aurelien is a champion of timeless Mediterranean type. Oozing the relaxed magnificence and carefree joie-de-vivre of the Riviera, it’s polos are minimize 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 main hues, they’re an important addition to any refined gent’s resortwear arsenal.
Store now at Aurelien
Vilebrequin
Vilebrequin has been producing luxurious resortwear since 1971, and from the very starting it’s all the time positioned nice emphasis on cloth 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 turn out to be famend for its distinctive prints and vivid colourways, however whether or not you go for one thing loud or understated, these are a few of the finest luxurious polos in the marketplace. There’s a motive they’re a standard sight in high-end resorts throughout the Riviera.
Store now at Vilebrequin
The Resort Co
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 terms of polos, the Swedish model presents a small however completely curated choice. There’s an open collar terry fabric design that’s excellent for lounging across the pool within the peak of summer season, 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
There’s just one factor higher than a basic polo shirt, and that’s an expensive, Italian-made polo shirt, crafted from the best pique cotton. Sound good? Nicely, that’s precisely what you’ll get if you happen to select to take your cash to Luca Faloni.
There are short-sleeved and long-sleeved choices out there, and the material selections don’t finish at conventional pique. In case you fancy one thing a bit completely different, you may decide from linen-jersey and silk-cotton too.
Purchase now at Luca Faloni
Polo Ralph Lauren
The polo shirt was already nicely established by the point Ralph Lauren (featured picture, prime) began together with it in collections. Nevertheless, the East Coast clothing store’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 one in every of Ralph Lauren’s staple objects, a lot in order that a complete line has been created across the theme.
Purchase now at SSENSE
Percival
For summer season jaunts, whether or not to the Italian coast or a pub beer backyard, knitted polos are all the time excessive on our agenda. Usually constructed from a wool or cotton-blend, which helps smarten up the type, they offer off a mid-century vibe that works nicely with pleated chinos, shorts or denims in addition to loafers and minimal sneakers.
Figuring out this nicely, Percival produces top-of-the-line 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
British heritage model Fred Perry is a lot greater than only a tennis clothes firm. This can be a label that has underpinned numerous youth subcultures, turning into nothing in need of 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 invaluable asset in any man’s wardrobe.
Purchase now at END.
A Day’s March
What’s a polo shirt if not a timeless important? And what’s A Day’s March if not top-of-the-line manufacturers on the planet in the case of procuring that type of factor?
With its elevated tackle basic wardrobe fundamentals, the Scandi model is a one-stop store to your each day necessities, polo shirts included. Anticipate a extra refined tackle this summer season staple, reimagined in premium, tactile materials like merino and terry fabric and ethically produced to the very best customary.
Purchase now at A Day’s March
James Perse
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.
Recognized 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
Rene Lacoste’s eponymous label has been instrumental in getting the polo shirt to the place it’s right this moment.
The French model’s crocodile brand has turn out to be emblematic of crisp, European cool and slick, sporty type. The unique, arguably one of the best and an simple must-have merchandise for any self-respecting trendy gent.
Purchase now at END.
Reiss
Utilizing their signature mix of basic and modern, high-street favorite Reiss manages brings the timeless polo bang updated by way of trendy fabrications and detailing resembling zipped and open collars.
The British model’s knitted and patterned designs are significantly noteworthy and assist elevate the polo into assertion piece territory.
Purchase now at Reiss
Orlebar Brown
Poolside hasn’t all the time been the best place to make a method assertion. However Orlebar Brown’s model of luxurious resortwear has made the entire thing so much simpler.
The British label’s easy but trendy 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
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 snug pique cotton, subtle merino wool, sweat-wicking Dry-Ex, and their trademark odour-neutralising, quick-drying Airism cloth.
And one of the best half? All of those may be had for underneath £35. Fill up.
Purchase now at Uniqlo
John Smedley
From rock ‘n’ roll royalty to James Bond himself, John Smedley has lengthy been kitting the type elite out in a few of the most interesting knitwear cash should purchase.
Why then are you studying about it in a roundup of polo shirts? Nicely, the British clothing store’s output doesn’t finish at cardigans and crew necks, there are additionally some tailoring-friendly knitted variations on supply, too. Anticipate fine-gauge knits, premium supplies and a form-hugging match that’s second to none.
Purchase now at FarFetch
Sunspel
Generally much less actually is extra, and no label presents 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 finished nicely. And polo shirts are definitely no exception.
Purchase now at MATCHESFASHION
Brunello Cucinelli
King Of Cashmere, Brunello Cucinelli made a reputation for himself crafting vibrant sweaters. At this time, his namesake label is recognised for its ultra-luxe aesthetic, trendy suiting and upscale informal put on.
The latter is the place the polo shirt finds its pure house. Cucinelli’s polos are unrivalled in the case of 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
Maybe considerably unsurprisingly, the polo shirt has its roots within the horseback sport from which it takes its title. Within the Twenties pique-cotton shirts grew to become in style for taking part in polo, however the garment as we all know it right this moment 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 snug sufficient to play his finest recreation. The consequence 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 in style 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.