Best polo shirts for men: a guide to nailing casual style in designer, budget, knitted, sports and pique polos
MEN’S polo shirts have been popular for decades and for a good reason.
With their collar and buttoned placket, polo shirts look smarter than a simple T-shirt yet still sporty and laid-back enough for the weekend.
It’s this combination that makes them such an important design for every man’s wardrobe.
You can see how versatile this design is by looking at the ones worn by David Beckham and Mark Ronson.
Beckham’s gone for something really pared-back, which looks smart and sophisticated but, on the other hand, the bright stripes on Mark Ronson’s version give it a much more lively, casual look and a retro feel.
Find the design that suits your look from this guide to the best men’s polo shirts around today.
1. Best plain polo shirt: BOSS Passenger Polo
Sometimes simple and pared-back is all you need, and German brand BOSS certainly knows how to pull a minimalist look together.
This polo is made from smooth cotton piqué with a slight stretch making it a really comfortable choice, and the only detailing is a subtle patch at the chest.
It’s the sort of deep shade of navy that will go with everything you already own too.
- BOSS Passenger Polo, £38.31 from Amazon – buy here
2. Best colourful polo shirt: Lacoste Paris Polo Shirt
Lacoste is another favourite option when it comes to polo shirts, as it was the brand’s founder, René Lacoste, who popularised the style.
The brand has since become synonymous with a selection of great colours, and the bright red of this design is perfect for adding energy to off-duty outfits.
It’s made from a new stretch pique fabric, which is particularly soft and breathable, making it a worthy investment.
- Lacoste Paris Polo Shirt, £90 from Lacoste – buy here
3. Best striped polo shirt: Next Pique Poloshirt
The striped pattern on this Next polo shirt is a stylish and subtle way to bring some pattern into your weekend outfits.
It’s made from breathable and durable cotton fabric, is available in 14 different colours, and a choice of a regular or slim fit.
- Pique Poloshirt, £20 from Next – buy here
4. Best long sleeve: Polo Ralph Lauren Slim-fit Cotton-mesh
Polo Ralph Lauren is synonymous with preppy style, as it was the label of choice for college kids at the height of the scene’s popularity.
A polished preppy look still feels fresh today, and this polo shirt would look great worn with a blazer and chinos.
If you like this style, you’ll be happy to know Ralph Lauren has a wide variety of long-sleeved polos to choose from.
- Polo Ralph Lauren Slim-Fit Cotton-Mesh Polo Shirt, £90 from Selfridges – buy here
5. Best for the beach: Orlebar Brown Cotton-Terry Polo Shirt
Polo shirts are built for warm weather, so it’s always tempting to pack one when heading to the beach.
Orlebar Brown’s polo was designed for exactly this.
It’s cut from soft terry-towelling fabric that’s lightly absorbent, so you can put it on after leaving the water and be ready for a walk to your nearest lunch spot in style.
The pocket adds a nice casual touch.
- Orlebar Brown Cotton-Terry Polo Shirt, £80 from Matches Fashion – buy here
6. Best for sports: Under Armour Performance Polo
Outdoors and performance specialist Under Armour has chosen a technical fabric for this polo shirt, one that will wick moisture away from the body and dry quickly while maintaining breathability.
This means that even as you get hot while playing sports, you’ll feel fresh and comfortable.
Its 4-way stretch construction means you’ll be able to easily move in all directions, and the fabric offers UPF 30+ sun protection too.
- UA Performance Polo Textured, £35 from Under Armour – buy here
7. Best to wear with a blazer: Trafford Merino Wool Polo Shirt
For a smart-casual look, the combination of polo shirt and blazer is ideal – it’s the perfect blend of formal and informal.
This Reiss polo is knitted from pure merino wool, which gives it a premium appearance and soft feel, helping to polish your outfit.
It’s also got long sleeves, which is much more comfortable to wear with a blazer than short-sleeved designs.
- Trafford Merino Wool Polo Shirt, £90 from Reiss – buy here
What is a polo style shirt?
A polo shirt is the space between t-shirt and shirt, a smarter version of a t-shirt but more casual and sporty than a shirt.
This nifty little number can be paired with jeans, smart trousers, chinos, shorts, and pretty much anything else you can think of.
A plain and simple polo is your best bet, making it smarter and more versatile.
How should a polo shirt fit?
The ideal polo shirt should be slim fitting, with sleeves reaching smack in the middle between the tip of your shoulder and your elbow.
No one wants a polo shirt that clings to the wrong places, make sure it is long enough and just loose enough, and never wear an undershirt.
Our top tip: you need to be able to stick one finger between your bicep and your sleeve, otherwise you need to size up or size down accordingly. Make sure the tail stays above the middle of your bum, and whatever you do- do NOT pop the collar.
MORE FROM SUN SELECTS FASHION
Whether you want to upgrade your wardrobe, find some new gym kit or get some gift-buying inspiration, Sun Selects is here to help you out.
Planning a shopping spree? Check out our latest fashion recommendations in Sun Selects’ dedicated section.
Enjoyed our roundup of the best men’s polo shirts? Then you might want to take a look at the best men’s shirts too.
This article and any featured products have been independently chosen by The Sun journalists. All recommendations within the article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click a link and buy a product we may earn revenue: this helps to support The Sun, and in no way affects our recommendations.