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By Heidi Quill , Faye Fearon and Jessie Atkinson
Convert to the collared cause with GQ's pick of the best men's polo shirts
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When retro menswear trends met blokecore and dad-dressing, it was a surprise to none of us that one of the biggest things to come out of the collision was polo shirts. Said best men’s polo shirts — as you may have noticed during your street style observations of the last 18 months — have made a breathable 1970’s tennis court of Clapham Common and its spiritual environs.
A middle ground between a collared shirt and a T-shirt, the best polo shirts are appropriate wear for many a dress code – and with any number of combinations. Smart-casual incarnate, it can be tucked into a tailored pair of trousers or even worn with a suit. But it’s not all business casual: yours can simply be applied to wet skin and swim shorts after a dip in the hotel pool.
The most important thing to remember is this is no P.E. lesson. Even a classic polo shirt can be worn in a non-traditional manner: with the collar flipped over the lapels of your suit jacket, contrasted in tone with your punchy matching tracksuit, or any other which way you so choose.
If in your book “best” means “most recognisable”, then you should source your piqué polo shirt from Fred Perry, Lacoste or Ralph Lauren. Those who prefer the sporty – or even yacht club – look of the polo should also head to these gods of the mesh polo shirt. If, however, you’re looking for something with a little more pizzazz (but that wouldn’t look out of place in Monaco), we’re fans of a knitted number by Percival, a linen-blend from Arket or something crochet by Commas.
If you were to ask Mr René Lacoste or Mr Fred Perry, they’d tell you that breathable cotton piqué, or else absorbent, comfortable towelling is your way forward for the short-sleeve polo shirt. Either way, their suggestion would be “cotton”. But not all of us are as sport-centric and preppy as world-beating tennis players (or Ralph Lauren). Some of us prefer the look of the thing without the utilitarian construction, such as can be found in long-sleeve, cashmere, linen or structured textile takes, some of which are knitted and others (such as those by Homme Plissé Issey Miyake) that are totally unique.
Whether you’re opting for a classic polo, a long-sleeve polo shirt (rugby shirts to the layman) or even a knit polo iteration, it doesn’t mean a thing unless you’ve got the remainder of a cohesive outfit planned. If you’re looking for advice, we’d opt for a pair of classic-fit chinos to continue the polo’s own preppy, golf course feel. Or, for a more cool-guy approach, do as Jacob Elordi does, and pair your polo with an inky pair of selvedge jeans.
You simply can’t discuss great polos without referencing Percival: snazzy polo supplier to the stars. By the time you reach the end of this sentence, its Piccante polo may well have sold out, so we’ll keep its description short and sweet: a sleek spring knit with a spicy jacquard print worth adding to your wardrobe, stat.
More from the polo-shirted world of James Bond, this time via Daniel Craig in Casino Royale. The exact match? The Riviera by Sunspel; a piece that has come to represent excellence by way of sturdy supima cotton and a tailored cut.
The undeniable monarch of Ivy League style, we can hardly shop polos without the honorary shout-out to Ralph Lauren. In a tongue-in-cheek homage to how established the silhouette is, this garment-dyed version is not just embroidered with the label’s mascot, but also with some faux repairs to the collar to give a time-worn feel.
Fred Perry's ‘Laurel Wreath’ logo goes a long way in the style game – and what better way to embrace it than a polo shirt? The most famous piece to come from the British brand, its most recent rendition is assembled from a recycled bouclé jacquard: expertly knitted to a regular fit, perfectly contrasted with a cream milano collar and stamped with the acclaimed motif at the chest. Oof, what a beauty.
While all polo shirts tend to have something of a tennis-whites vibe to them, no brand does it like Lacoste. Founded by four-time international tennis champion René Lacoste, nicknamed ‘the Crocodile’ by the press, he first began to wear hand-sewn crocodiles on his sports jacket, creating an emblem that would go on to become the key motif of his world-renowned label. Cut from cotton piqué in a Wimbledon white, this polo carries the patch with pride.
If you’ve been getting your hoodies from Uniqlo for years but are yet to branch out into what else the retailer has to offer, may we recommend a cotton piqué polo shirt? This is not any cotton piqué, either. Being Uniqlo, this sub-£25 piece has been infused with the moisture-wicking capabilities of Airism. A performance polo that really performs.
Hats off to Reiss for offering a polo shirt which ticks the box for serious quality at under £100. Designed from 100 per cent merino wool – AKA a textural sign of luxury – this ‘Duchie’ titled style is shaped with an open collar neckline and boasts an impeccably soft finish. It's available in a range of eleven shades (pretty impressive), but our top pick is this deep navy option, as it's most likely to accommodate all kinds of outings.
If you're looking for a decadent polo shirt to see you through the duration of summer, this style by Marks & Spencer is calling. Bringing a dose of artistic energy to your silhouette, it's printed with an Art Deco-like graphic across its pastel blue frame, which is made entirely from a breathable and durable cotton. Comfortable, eye-catching and affordable at once, take our advice and add it to your basket before it's too late.
With summer just around the corner, now is the time to inject some pastel shades into your style game. Case in point: the baby blue which covers Mr Porter’s in-house polo shirt, crafted from a honeycomb knit and fitted with an open collar for relaxed appeal upon wear. If you purchase it, be sure to scan the QR code located on the label to discover essential information for its care.
Looking to serve some romantic sensibilities via your polo shirt of choice? An opulent red shade is the way to do it if so, which is where Cos' latest style comes in. Elegant and ethical in its construction (it's knitted from a recycled mulberry silk blend), it falls with a relaxed drape, is centralised with a classic spread collar and is finished with ribbed trims around the edges. Enriched style, sorted.
Your average piqué polo shirt, this pick certainly is not. Twinged with that famed Burberry slant, this relaxed fit polo is trimmed with the label's signature Vintage Check at the collar. Excellent.
To those in search of a staple polo shirt which won’t dent your bank account, allow us to present this style by Arket. Featuring a rib-knitted collar and V neck at the top of its khaki frame, it’s cut from a masterful blend of cotton and linen for pure softness upon wear, and falls with a slightly boxy stance to streamline your silhouette. Ready for the start of spring? You will be with this in your wardrobe.
Brunello Cucinelli is an expert at serving contemporary designs with superior craftsmanship, and this polo shirt is an excellent example of why. Bringing depth to the traditional style through its open ribbed stitch, this timeless blue design looks like it has been plucked straight out of The Talented Mr Ripley – therefore a failsafe option to score some serious sophistication this summer. Keep the surrounding pieces white to really enhance this effect.
Arket is a failsafe source for all essentials, which naturally includes a polo shirt. For the current Spring/Summer 2023 season, the high-street label proposes this sixteen gauge knit style, woven through a delicate blend of linen and cotton and finished with ribbed trimmings across the sleeves, collar and hem.
Stripes for summer? It's an instant style win from us, especially when they come courtesy of Richard James. Expressing the Savile Row tailor's expertise for quality menswear garments, this fresh polo shirt features a pink rendering of the summer-ready motif across its short-sleeved body. Made from an excellent blend of jersey, cotton and silk, it promises the softest standing upon wear and would work particularly well with white Bermuda shorts underneath.
Welcome to the Riviera (or Miami if you're Sean Connery as James Bond in Goldfinger). It's hot here, and if you're not a local, you're more than likely wearing shorts. But what to pair with them? Orlebar Brown has the solution, with its humidity-beating towelling polo in textural terry cotton.
If it’s a traditional, spring-ready polo shirt that you’re in the market for, who better than Ralph Lauren to serve it? A hallmark of the American designer’s offerings, this fresh style comes courtesy of his polo brand: crafted from a classic beige cotton, cut to a slim fit and embroidered with the brand’s signature polo player motif at the right of the chest.
French brand A.P.C. is a failsafe port of call for elegant essentials, including the polo shirt. Cut from a lightweight cotton piqué and stitched with black logo embroidery, this white design is shaped with sharp lines to structure your silhouette with ease – expressing the French brand’s pared-back coolness from head to toe. For additional styling, we recommend checking out other classic staples from its atelier.
Let’s be honest: the man that chooses a very short-sleeved polo does it because he has hard-won gains that deserve an audience. With a physique skimming-fit and taut ribbed cuffs, this one’s ready and waiting for the gun show. Score one in black and white, then show up and show off all summer long.
A polo shirt may be a menswear staple, but Gucci is proving that it can also be a statement. Shaped in a stark colour combination of primary blue and orange, this piece is boldly decorated with the house's famed GG-logo jacquard, fastened with a striking cream spread collar and finished with athletic stripes across its ribbed edges. Maximalist summer style, sorted.
Crisp, classic and cool, it's hard to beat the sartorial charm of Boss. Done out in a stretch cotton construction, Boss' sleek answer to the humble polo shirt seals its appeal with a square logo stamp at the chest and a sharp cut that skims the torso for a slim but flattering fit.
Where old-school Burberry was defined by its dizzying array of patterns, Riccardo Tisci's time at the helm saw the British heritage brand embodying a relatively “less is more” approach to design. In a noir black hue contrasted only by the subtle flash of Vintage Check that hides behind its buttoned closure, this polo rewards those who look closely.
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