Polo Shirts Are Back — Here Are the Best Ones to Buy Right Now
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After a stint in the recesses of dad fashion and stuffy offices, polo shirts are back and cooler than ever. Today, brands are breathing new life into the business-casual staple, with refreshing tops that channel everything from off-duty Sixties attire to modern, minimalist style.
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At a Glance: The Best Polo Shirts for Men
Editor’s Pick: Abercrombie & Fitch Stitch Button-Through Sweater Polo
Long-Sleeve: Billy Reid Pensacola Long Sleeve Polo
Inclusive Sizing: Fresh Clean Threads Torrey Polo
Throwback: Todd Snyder Montauk Polo
The Icon: Polo Ralph Lauren Cotton Mesh Polo
Golf Polo: Nike Tour Dri-FIT ADV Golf Polo
Classic Pick: Fred Perry Twin Tipped Slim Fit Polo
Luxe Pick: Polo Piana Cotton-Piqué Polo Shirt
Minimal Style: Everlane Performance Polo
Most Versatile: Madewell Three-Button Sweater Polo Shirt
This return of polo shirts couldn’t come at a better time. Dress codes for office days, date nights, and other occasions are in an odd space between casual and dressy, but polos make a great bridge. They’re more comfortable and relaxed than dress shirts, yet more sophisticated than tees. Plus, the best polo shirts create a V-shape silhouette that’s universally flattering.
The Best Polo Shirts for Men
Because polo shirts have been around for decades, there are plenty to choose from — perhaps even too many for the average shopper. But to help find some of the best polo shirts, we’ve rounded up some of our favorites below. We tested best-selling polo shirts from top brands, and landed on the below for their style, fit, and overall build quality. All are available at reputable retailers with an average customer rating of at least 3.7/5 stars.
EDITOR'S PICK
Abercrombie & Fitch Sweater Polo
$56 $70 20% off
Abercrombie & Fitch has done a 180. Once hated, the brand is now pumping out clean, classic pieces under new management. Some of the best pieces from the new Abercrombie are vintage-inspired knit polos like this button-up sweater polo. Throw it on over a tank top with shorts, or wear it with slacks and loafers on date night.
LONG-SLEEVE
Billy Reid Pensacola Long Sleeve Polo
$118
Long-sleeve polos are a great transitional piece you can wear over a tee or solo under a casual blazer. We love this one from Billy Reid that channels a casual, coastal look and feels super durable and high-quality in person.
INCLUSIVE SIZING
Fresh Clean Threads Torrey Polo
$27
True to its name, Fresh Clean Threads makes some high-quality, no-frills pieces that go with just about everything in your wardrobe. The brand’s Torrey polo is a great example of their expertise: It’s made of a soft, breathable cotton-poly blend that’s especially flattering and doesn’t change sizes when washed. You also get a huge range of color and size options, and the Torrey is fairly inexpensive, so you might even stock up on a few.
THROWBACK
Todd Snyder Montauk Polo
$278
With a linen-cotton fabric and a laid-back Johnny collar, this polo from Todd Snyder evokes a look favored by Hollywood stars of the Sixties. The throwback shirt can be worn with slacks and loafers to a wedding or swim trunks and sneakers to the beach (à la Dickie Greenleaf in The Talented Mr. Ripley). It’s also very lightweight (despite its designation as a “sweater polo”), and feels soft to the touch.
THE ICON
Polo Ralph Lauren Cotton Mesh Polo
$110
Ralph Lauren’s polo is a prep staple that’s been proven to look good with just about every personal style. It’s especially versatile in classic white, making a substitute for dress shirts in upscale situations or a fun alternative to tees when paired with casual staples. The shirt’s mesh construction is also very breathable, and a massive amount of color options means there’s something for every personal style.
GOLF POLO
Nike Tour Dri-FIT ADV Golf Polo
$105
If you’re looking for a golf polo, check out this premium Tour Dri-FIT ADV from Nike. It’s a favorite among some of our most dedicated golfer friends, and all of them applaud the shirt’s unique ability to stay cool and dry throughout 18 holes.
CLASSIC PICK
Fred Perry Twin Tipped Polo
$98
Fred Perry’s polo shirts have changed very little over the years, and it’s easy to see why. The twin-tipped classic delivers vintage tennis style that can now be worn with everything from tennis shorts to jeans or office-worthy slacks. Stripping on the collar and sleeve hems brings a balanced splash of color, and the shirt’s cotton piqué fabric is extremely comfortable — especially in the heat.
LUXE PICK
Polo Piana Cotton-Piqué Polo Shirt
$650
If you want a seriously luxurious polo, check out this one from Loro Piana. The storied Italian designer is known for ultra-premium classics, so it’s no surprise that this polo is fantastic. The fabric is a cotton-piqué that, like most of the brands pieces, just feels richer and softer than your average clothing.
MINIMAL STYLE
Everlane Performance Polo
$33 $65 49% off
The Performance Polo from Everlane modernizes the polo both stylistically and functionally. With clean lines, a hidden button placket and a minimal look overall, the shirt is ready to pair with other modern basics from track pants to crisp slacks. The polo’s breathable pique fabric, meantime, does a great job at wicking away sweat, reducing odor and stretching as we move.
MOST VERSATILE
Madewell Three-Button Sweater Polo Shirt
$88
If you’re looking for a polo to wear with just about everything in your closet, try this one from Madewell. It’s made of a versatile, somewhat thick cotton that you can wear year-round, and it features a no-frills look that works with a huge range of personal styles (especially in this indigo color).
How We Chose the Best Polo Shirts for Men
To make this list, we tested best-selling polos from top brands. We paid attention to their fit, feel, and build quality, but primarily considered their style and how many outfits we could wear them with. After trying a huge variety of polos (and talking to stylish friends), we landed on the picks you’ll find above — all of which are available (as of writing) at reputable retailers with good to great reviews from customers.
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