Amp up your wardrobe with modern takes on this menswear staple.
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WHEN A dress shirt feels too much and a t-shirt is not enough, polo shirts are your safest type of shirt to bet on. “For something that is essentially a t-shirt with a collar, I’m always amazed at how a polo can elevate any look,” says Matthew Congdon, the SVP of Design & Merchandising at Mack Weldon.
The best men’s polo shirts should have versatility that meets halfway between casual and formal to be easily dressed up and down. The best polo shirts for men must also be made from soft but still performance-oriented materials to ensure durability and long-lasting comfort.
As for the fit, according to Michael Bastian, Creative Director of Brooks Brothers, while polo shirts will highlight a belly or skinny arms if not careful, “on the right guy, they can be your best friend”. Which is why the best men’s polo shirts look super flattering on guys in great shape. That is to say, the best polo shirts for men will have a streamlined silhouette that's fitted but not tight to show off your upper physique, and a tapered short sleeve that still lets your guns breathe.
Ahead, we tested over 50 men’s polo shirts in the past two years from trusted menswear brands across a range of occasions to find the 20 best polo shirts for men.
The beauty of a Polo Ralph Lauren top is that you know it will never go out of style. You’ll wear it everywhere (to work, on the weekends, and so on) for years and years.
In my experience of wearing Ralph Lauren’s polo shirts across different colors, I’m never not satisfied by how breathable its soft fabric is. No wonder it's selected to be tested by our Fashion Director Ted Stafford and to be fitted on Scream VI star Mason Gooding.
Of course, we have the OG pique polo that started it all. There’s a reason why the Lacoste tennis polo has been a staple since the 30s—it’s classic, sleek, and will never go out of style.
My favorite part about this polo shirt is its classic fit and tried-and-true comfort. It gives you enough room in the torso and bicep to breathe without hiding away all your gains. The 100% piqué knit cotton to me has always felt soft and durable, no matter how many times I’ve washed it.
A Polo That Does It All
While it's dressy enough for the office, the tapestry of tech feats in this polo—four-way stretch, moisture-wicking, quick-drying, UPF 50+, antimicrobial properties—can make your time spent outdoors worthwhile, on or off the course.
When I tried this on for the first time, I was taken away by how smooth and cool it felt. Then, when I did a few hikes in it, its stretch and quick-drying properties came in like a wrecking ball to keep me cozy, which is why it also works as a great golf shirt.
Fashion meets function with this breathable polo thanks to its anti-stink technology and on-trend design. This Lulu polo is specifically made for the links, but we wouldn't knock you for wearing it just as much off the course.
Not only did we not mind the slim fit which accentuated our biceps and pecs, but we were also utterly satisfied by how movement-friendly the fabric is. After a few swings nonetheless, the fabric managed to stay dry, in shape, and fresh, all thanks to the sweat-wicking fabric built with No-Stink Zinc™ technology and Lycra® fiber for shape retention.
A Budget Find That Lasts
If you're looking for a wallet-friendly polo, then you can't go wrong with one from Amazon Essentials. For less than $20 you can get a classic pique polo that's vibrant and well-fitting.
And even though it’s cheap, I was not disappointed by its quality. Sure, it can’t stay wrinkle-resistant or moisture-wicking like performance polos, but as everyday polos, it’s got a classic cut and style that matches well with my jeans and chinos. I had to be extra careful of washing it, of course, so that it could last longer.
A polo with a flattering fit and top-tier comfort is hard to come by. TravisMathew's Zinna polo is breathable, soft, lightweight, and looks dang good on any type of body.
Personally, I’ve dealt with polo shirts that lose their shape after a few wears, which is why I love Zinna for its durability. Its collar has always stayed up (thanks to the brand’s Collar-stay tech). It has also been my default short-sleeve shirt for running errands—when the weather gets hot and the road gets long, the four-way stretch and breathability always come in clutch.
Vuori meticulously engineered the Ace Polo to be as light and comfortable as possible. It provides the appearance of a classic pocket polo with the performance of athletic apparel.
While wearing it, the three-button design does feel a bit tight and I had to always leave one open. But I was surprised by how elevated it looks, especially under a blazer or with a suit. Along with its performance feats, it’s the polo that I now rely on for any elevated travel occasion.
Sometimes your polo collection could use a little vintage garment. As seen on Bullet Train Star Andrew Koji and washed for a lived-in look, Buck Mason’s polo looks rugged, "feels broken-in like your favorite sweats, while its suede finish keeps it looking sharp."
What I love most about this polo is that it’s sueded for extra softness. While it’s got no stretch, traveling in it has also felt much more comfortable compared to ordinary cotton polos. I also dig its versatility, and it has held out well on its own.
Your Everyday Polo, But Better
Made from the brand’s signature softer-than-soft fabric that’ll stay fresh and crisp wash after wash, this polo is coupled with a four-way stretch, antimicrobial fabric, and a collar that won’t move around.
When I tried this on, I did notice that the fabric leans a bit to the thinner side—which is probably intended. But everything else about it amazed me. Because of its performance build with lycra, polyester, and anti-odor silver, I was able to do some light exercises and jogs in it, and it still managed to stay fresh.
Merino Wool Performance on a Polo Shirt
Cut from premium 16.5-micron merino wool, this moisture-wicking shirt was made for marathon flights and multi-day wear. Merino wool is naturally breathable, moisture-wicking, and odor-resistant, which hits on all of the key features a polo needs for the traveling grind.
I’ve in fact packed this polo for a recent trip and worn it to trail, walk, and commute for a few days. At the end of the day, when I did take it off, I was delighted to find out that it remained as fresh as when I first put it on, after all those hours of traveling in it.
A Retro Style That Just Works
Whether it’s on Jude Law as Dickie Greenleaf from The Talented Mr. Ripley or on Leonardo DiCaprio from Catch Me If You Can, the sweater polo as a retro style staple is no stranger to the big silver screen. My favorite parts about this sweater polo are its comfort and versatility. Made with cotton-silk yarn to feel softer than ever, this knitted polo managed to stay fresh throughout my summer days. Its sophisticated ribbed texture also renders it extra versatile—whether it’s with swim trunks, jeans, chinos, or even sweat shorts, the polo makes me look sharp each time.
A Godsend for Warm Weather
Ideal for the dude on the go or who runs hot, Rhone’s lightweight, moisture-wicking polo shirt is made to calm you down. Not only is it made with a self-cooling pique mesh fabric that has kept me feeling crisp and smelling fresh, at work or in the game, but its perfect fit also gives me that desired untucked look (i.e. won’t bunch around your bottom area). Better yet, the PU Side vent details have provided us with a better range of motion. We've even worn them all day long to soak in its chafe-free, seamless comfort.
This sports-friendly training polo is made with a soft, light, and breathable fabric that won't overheat you—and certainly won't break the bank. Keeping you cool, loose, and easy 24/7, this performance polo can anchor any casual outdoor fit.
Whether it’s for going on the course or going out fishing, my colleague was impressed by its anti-sweat and anti-odor qualities. But my favorite part is the fit: broad at the chest and tapered down the waist, it gives me the athletic look that buff guys like.
Read more: Best Workout Shirts for Men
If this polo is good enough for James Bond, it's good enough for us. Daniel Craig looked sharp sporting this shirt, specifically tailored for his James Bond debut, in Casino Royale.
On me, and possibly on you, the style of this modern classic is unquestionable. But over time, I’ve started to incorporate this polo as a part of my go-to fits because of how soft, light, and breathable it feels especially on warmer days, sharpening me up while keeping me cool.
The Bang for Your Buck
When you want the crisp feel of a camp shirt but you love the look of a polo, Fair Harbor will have you covered. Breathable and lightweight, the Atlantic Polo also comes with a sun-drenched wash to look lived-in. At under $70, it can be easily dressed up or down, for your nightlife or your office life.
While the soft, breathable comfort is what initially attracted me to wear this polo shirt on downtown or Friday nights, thanks to its partially polyester build, I’ve grown to appreciate it for its sweat-wicking qualities.
Works on and off the Course
Wilson's Players polo is packed with odor-fighting, sweat-wicking technology, such as how its ventilation is woven into high-sweat areas, making it ideal for hot-weather outings and sports days in summer. The fabric feels extra light and breathable, keeping me cool and dry 24/7. But I also love its toned-down monogrammed style, seamless comfort, and how the fully seamless build lets me move and stretch with no distraction, which is why I've even worn this polo all day long, from lounging to running errands to working out, with ease.
Bros lead Luke Macfarlane coins his style as "Classic American Heritage Workwear… durability over style. Form-fitting when possible.” With that in mind, our Fashion Director tested and hand-picked this polo by Vince which not only flatters his athletic physique, but also aligns with his style principles on durability and ruggedness. In a sophisticated Birdseye pattern and soft-as-butter wool-and-cashmere build, this polo shirt can truly elevate your wardrobe and thus is worth the investment.
Smart Design Meets Sharp Style
Tested and hand-picked by our Fashion Director Ted Stafford, this polo uses a simple twist in closure—zip, instead of buttons—to turn the classic silhouette into one of your wardrobe’s boldest styles. Hence, it's chosen as part of this spring's boldest styles and co-signed by fitfluencers. Best for dressing down, this sporty polo shirt can still look elevated even if all I'm wearing with it are chino shorts and white sneakers.
The French Navy wore blue-on-white horizontal stripes in the 1800s and have been associated with nautical style ever since. Nautica placed them on this long-sleeved polo, giving the appearance of a rugby shirt. However, in my experience of wearing this rugby shirt, its lightweight, soft, breathable fabric keeps the comfort of a polo shirt. And I was amazed by its versatility: with sweat shorts, chinos, or jeans, this rugby polo has made me look sporty yet sharp.
My favorite part of this rugby polo shirt is its flattering relaxed fit which makes wearing it super comfortable but does not give off a baggy, sloppy vibe.
Whether you want to go preppy by wrapping another shirt around it, look elevated by wearing it with chinos, or layer it under a blazer for an evening fit, this polo with the cuff of a button-down shirt is versatile enough to do it all.
Even on summer days, I can still roll up my sleeves to stay cool in this polo. However, I like to layer this polo under a blazer and pair it with dress pants for an elevated business casual look. And the fabric is made with performance in mind—four-way stretch, moisture-wicking, temperature regulation, and wrinkle resistance—to last and stay fresh.
Christian Gollayan oversees e-commerce content for Men's Health and Women's Health. Previously, he was the Associate Managing Editor at TheManual.com. Christian's work has also been featured in Food & Wine, InStyle, the New York Post, and Tatler Asia.
Ted Stafford is the Fashion Director of Men’s Health. He oversees all style and fashion content for the brand, and also styles their fashion stories. His active lifestyle informs his passion for translating great designs into real-life style, a favorite part of his job. Prior to joining Men’s Health he worked at GQ magazine and Calvin Klein
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