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The 18 Best Polo Shirts Will Restore Your Faith in Polo Shirts
Forget boring, business-casual vibes. These are made for work and play.
To be honest, the polo shirt hasn't had the easiest time. For a while, it was shorthand for a kind of office-schlub, sad-sack resignation to the worst impulses of business casual. Then finance-bro versions came along and became the de facto uniform of Wall Street post-grads and lawn-mowing dads alike. And obviously they've become invisibly branded with the phrase "I <3 golf." Yeah, it's been a struggle.
So we totally get why you might be a little hesitant to don a polo shirt. But in acknowledging the polo shirt's checkered past, we hope that we've also given you the foundation to trust us when we tell you the polo is back, baby, and it's looking better than ever. There's a whole slew of polos on the market, ranging from the classic Ralph Lauren style to sweater-y, mid-century-ish versions. These are polo shirts for hanging out and hanging loose. The only polo shirts you'll find here are made for the good life.
Now, the polo is one of the smartest pieces of clothing a guy could own. It doesn't matter the season—the same styles that you wore solo in spring and summer make for great layering pieces in winter and fall, whether under a blazer, sweater, or cardigan. If you don't believe us yet, maybe these 18 polo shirts will convince you otherwise.
Pros
- Sweat-wicking fabric
- Stretchy
- Quick-drying, anti-odor technology
Cons
- Buyers report it's tight for broader shoulders
A go-to option if ever there was one, thanks to the moisture-wicking, stretchy material that's versatile enough to go from the green to the office. Wear. Wash. Repeat.
| Material | Cotton, Elastane |
|---|---|
| Sizes | XS–XXL |
| Colors | Black, White |
| Fit | Standard |
Pros
- Color doesn't fade in wash
- Has chest pocket
Cons
- Buyers report it runs short
Leave it to Todd Snyder to make a polo—so often considered a staple of East Coast prep—into a paragon of laid-back, West Coast style. This contrast-piping style comes in an array of bright, summery colors, so don't feel shy about stocking up on a few.
| Material | Cotton |
|---|---|
| Sizes | XS–XXL |
| Colors | Black, White, Navy, Olive |
| Fit | Standard |
Hanes X-Temp Short Sleeve Polo Shirt
Pros
- Great price
- Anti-odor fabric
Cons
- Buyers report it runs wide
For under $10, this soft style is a steal. It has a classic, versatile look that can be dressed up or down, a standard fit, and—perhaps best of all—anti-odor fabric that you'll come to cherish during the hottest months of the year.
| Material | Polyester, Cotton |
|---|---|
| Sizes | XS–6XL |
| Colors | 8 |
| Fit | Boxy |
Pros
- Moisture-wicking fabric
- Flexible material designed for golf
Cons
- More difficult to dress up than other options
Sweat-wicking, odor-preventing fabric makes this the ultimate polo for an active day. Although Lululemon designed this for golfing, you'll come to realize that you can take this moisture-wicking, classic style out for a spin just about anywhere.
| Material | Polyester, Lyocell, Elastane, Nylon |
|---|---|
| Sizes | XS–5XL |
| Colors | Heathered Black, Black, Nautical Navy, Iron Blue, Trench |
| Fit | Slim |
Pros
- Foolproof style
- Plenty of color options
- Breathable fabric
Cons
- On the pricier side
- Ribbed arm cuffs can squeeze wider arms
Name one thing more classic than a Ralph Lauren polo. We'll wait. With a wide array of colors and an infallibly chic style, this is the option that will never do you wrong.
| Material | Cotton |
|---|---|
| Sizes | XS–XXL |
| Colors | 63 |
| Fit | Standard |
Pros
- Bold, classy look
- Has all-over embroidery
Cons
- Pricey
For a classy statement look, there's no going wrong with Gucci. Picture it: this polo with khakis and leather sandals, plus the best thing on the menu on a warm summer evening.
| Material | 93% Cotton, 7% Elastane |
|---|---|
| Sizes | XS-3XL |
| Colors | Dark Blue, White |
| Fit | Boxy |
Pros
- Has plenty of stretch
- Great price
Cons
- Not the most luxe look and feel
Gap is all about serving up basic, comfortable pieces at great prices. This polo, for instance—you can dress it up, or you can dress it down, but just know you're going to be wearing it a lot.
| Material | 98% Cotton, 2% Elastane |
|---|---|
| Sizes | XS-3XL |
| Colors | 19 |
| Fit | Standard |
Pros
- Lightweight, breathable fabric
- Can dress up or down
- Side vents for mobility
Cons
- Buyers report fabric retains stains
- Color isn't an exact match to images
Wear this with slacks and loafers or jeans and sneakers—whatever the occasion is, it'll rise right to it.
| Material | 100% Cotton |
|---|---|
| Sizes | XS-2XL |
| Colors | Navy |
| Fit | Standard |
Pros
- Anti-odor, moisture-wicking fabric
- Vented sides for flexibility
Cons
- No distinctive look or features
Soft to the touch and stylish in looks, this is the go-to option for a no-nonsense polo. With jeans, trousers, or even shorts, you can't go wrong with this option.
| Material | 100% Cotton |
|---|---|
| Sizes | XS-2XL |
| Colors | 5 |
| Fit | Standard |
Percival's knit polo is still great for the warmer months, because it's lightweight, stylish, and oh-so soft. When you want to stay cool but aren't afraid to mix things up a little bit, this is the way to go.
| Material | 100% Cotton |
|---|---|
| Sizes | XS-2XL |
| Colors | Navy |
| Fit | Relaxed |
Pros
- Four-way stretch
- Moisture-wicking, anti-odor fabric
- UPF 30 rated
Cons
- Thin fabric
In the rare occasion that you do intend to wear your polo to the golf course, Vuori's knit polo is perfect for doing just that. It's quick-drying and moisture-wicking, so you will keep dry in the heat.
| Material | Polyester, Elastane |
|---|---|
| Sizes | S–XXL |
| Colors | 12 |
| Fit | Athletic |
Pros
- Sleek and elegant
- High-quality construction
- Easy to dress up or down
Cons
- $$$
- Tonal branding is near-invisible (though this could also be a pro, depending on your perspective)
Burberry knows its way around the classics. This polo is smart and sharp, with a slim fit, a subtle, embroidered logo, and all the understated elegance that money can buy.
| Material | Cotton |
|---|---|
| Sizes | XS–XXL |
| Colors | Black, Midnight Blue |
| Fit | Standard |
Pros
- High-quality mother-of-pearl buttons
- Iconic look
Cons
- Buyers report fabric feels thin
- Inconsistent sizing
Lacoste is, after all, an OG in the world of polos. If anyone's perfected the art that they created, it's these guys.
| Material | Cotton |
|---|---|
| Sizes | XXS–5XL |
| Colors | 32 |
| Fit | Standard |
Pros
- Small-batch dye process gives a unique, vintage look
- Cotton has been sueded for extra softness
Cons
- Faded look is hard to dress up
Small-batch garment dyeing creates a timeworn effect in this faded wash. Disclaimer: it's not suede—it's sueded for softness.
| Material | Cotton |
|---|---|
| Sizes | XS–XXL |
| Colors | 9 |
| Fit | Slim |
Pros
- Sleek, high-end look
- Super soft
Cons
- $$$
The house's iconic bee makes an appearance on a subtly striped polo shirt. Luxury meets function in elegant ergonomics.
| Material | Cotton |
|---|---|
| Sizes | XXS–3XL |
| Colors | Black |
| Fit | Standard |
Pros
- High-quality construction
- Chic, unique look
Cons
- Those with broad shoulders need to size up
The Stone Island logo is basically a seal of approval at this point—especially on a polo this sharp.
| Material | Cotton, Elastane |
|---|---|
| Sizes | XS–3XL |
| Colors | Navy, Army Green, Purple, Black, White |
| Fit | Standard |
Pros
- Great price
- Lightweight fabric is moisture-wicking and resistant to pilling
- Maintains shape after washing
Cons
- Runs short
- Color isn't an exact match to images
Uniqlo doing what Uniqlo does best: providing simple, well-made basics at a fantastic pricepoint. This polo is affordable, versatile, and lightweight, making it perfect for those long, hot summer days.
| Material | Cotton, Polyester |
|---|---|
| Sizes | 2XS-3XL |
| Colors | Black, Blue, Navy, Gray, White |
| Fit | Standard |
Pros
- High-quality, sustainable cashmere
- Lightweight yet warm
Cons
- Runs small
It's in the name: this is fancy. It's not too fancy, though, but with that 100% Mongolian cashmere fabric, you'll certainly feel like a king.
| Material | Cashmere |
|---|---|
| Sizes | XS-2XL |
| Colors | Navy, Black, Cement, Timber |
| Fit | Standard |
Tips For Choosing
Think of these four things when you're shopping for a polo shirt: fabric, fit, style, and occasion. We've done the work for you by listing out every polo shirt's fabric and fit on this list, so whether you want a slim, quick-drying, moisture-wicking option to wear to the golf course or a standard-fitting, cashmere option to dress up at work, you're not short of choice.
Style and occasion are two elements that go hand in hand. A bold look, like the styles from Gucci or Casablanca, probably aren't going to be your best bet if you like a more minimalist, understated vibe, but something just as high-end—like the bee-embroidered pick from Dior—will do perfectly. If you're just going to work, chances are you can get away with almost any option. But we wouldn't recommend wearing, say, the Lululemon or Vuori options to a formal dinner.
Tips For Styling
The beauty of a polo shirt is that it's versatile enough to look good with pretty much anything. That being said, there are certainly some ways to style a polo that look better than others.
If you're wanting to dress your polo shirt up, the way to do it is with dress pants, which could be pleated trousers, chinos, khakis, or sometimes, even a really nice pair of jeans. Loafers are always a good idea, and for summer, even a leather sandal could work.
Dressing a polo down is a breeze. Pair with anything from jeans to shorts swim trunks, add your favorite sneakers, and be merrily on your way.
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