While the name of this classic garment might refer to one particular sport, the origins of the modern polo shirt come from another activity altogether. The polo shirt we know today was created by René Lacoste to replace traditional, stiff tennis whites, and for the 1926 Open, he debuted an unstarched, flat shirt with a protruding collar to maintain a sense of formality.
These days, there are a myriad of polo shirts for men from the likes of Ralph Lauren, Fred Perry and Ted Baker, but not all are created equal. Thankfully, in this article we've ranked the top 10 best polo shirts for men in the UK, including links to buy them online on ASOS, Amazon, John Lewis and eBay!
Quick List - Top Men's Polo Shirts
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While the classic polo shirt is probably something every bloke has been wearing since he was a young boy, it’s not often men think about what they’re buying. In this section, we aim to do just that by comparing the subtleties of fit, sleeve length and the various other factors that go into choosing the right polo shirt.
The first factor you'll need to consider when buying a polo shirt is the fit. A polo shirt should be fitted, but not tight, giving you the option of regular or slim depending on your build and body type.
A regular fit polo shirt will probably be the best bet for most blokes, as it strikes the right balance. After all, you don't want it to be too wide or too narrow. The fabric should hang loosely over the torso, whilst aiming to avoid the oversized look.
If you’re of slimmer build naturally, or spend a lot of time working out, opt for a slim-fit polo shirt. These narrow towards the hip and have the 'upside-down triangle' shape that many men aspire to have. That said, it shouldn't be too tight, as this type of garment will look infinitely better with a bit of space between your body and the fabric.
When and where you plan on wearing your polo shirt? While the short sleeve polo is still a smart-casual garment, long sleeves take it to that next level. Even though the polo will never reach the same heights as a traditional button-down shirt in terms of formal attire, long sleeves veer away from a sports or workwear aesthetic.
That said, a short-sleeved polo shirt is going to be more versatile. If you’re looking for a garment that can be worn on a variety of occasions, such as an afternoon in the beer garden, an evening in a cocktail lounge, or even during a dress down day at the office, then this is probably the better choice.
The block colour polo is by far the most popular. They come in a wide range of tones to suit many occasions, from pastels for the summer to dark, rich colours for the autumn. However, if you like to have a little more fun with your wardrobe, choose a patterned shirt.
The most beloved and, arguably, most fashionable are either the striped or Carlyle pattern polo. These give the shirt a touch of character and a sportier look. You could even opt for a rugby shirt. These are typified by having a white-collar and come in an array of patterns, from stripes to quarter designs.
Finally, you’ll want to consider the the fabric your shirt is made from. Practically all polo shirts will be 100% cotton. That said, there is still a difference – is the cotton woven or knitted?
Woven cotton is the most common and therefore, has the standard look and feel that you know and love. These polo shirts are durable, comfortable and flexible, meaning they won’t need as much care and can usually be washed alongside all your other clothing. Although, we would certainly double check that on the label!
Knitted polos, on the other hand, are made from interloping yarns, which give the garments a little more stretch. There are many different types of knitted polo. However, this is rarely specified. It may still be something worth looking into if you’re a fashion conscious bloke.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Lacoste L.12.12 Polo Shirt | ![]() | The Original Polo Shirt for Men | |
2 | Burton Knitted Long Sleeve Polo in Camel | ![]() | A Smart-Casual Classic | |
3 | Fred Perry Twin Tipped Polo | ![]() | A Quintessential British Staple | |
4 | Ralph Lauren Slim Fit Pique Polo | ![]() | Polo by Name, Polo by Nature | |
5 | John Lewis & Partners Supima Cotton Pique Polo Shirt | ![]() | Even Cosier Than Regular Cotton | |
6 | Ted Baker Blok Polo Shirt | ![]() | The Sporty Yet Sharp Aesthetic | |
7 | Adidas Originals Striped Polo Shirt | ![]() | Stripes Straight From the 90s | |
8 | Ted Baker Fulhumm Long Sleeve Polo Shirt | ![]() | A Polo Shirt From a Long Standing British Institution | |
9 | Fred Perry Striped Cuff Knitted Polo Shirt | ![]() | Just a Touch of Character | |
10 | Dickies Oakhaven Striped Shirt | ![]() | From the Workwear Giants |
When it came to picking our number one, it was a bit of a no brainer! Not only did Lacoste start the trend, but they've stayed ahead of the pack with a quality polo shirt that's well manufactured, combing both durability and comfort.
These shirts come in a wide array of colours, as you can imagine, but we've opted for the 'panorama' baby blue as a nod to another British stalwart, the one and only Alex Turner. If you're wanting to pick up the perfect polo, then what better than the brand who did it first?
This offering from Burton reminds us of the much-coveted John Smedley long sleeve polos, but at about a quarter of the price. So if you're looking for a smart-casual polo to see you through autumn and winter, you can't go wrong.
Simple and sophisticated, it can be layered under a jacket or blazer, or worn on its own tucked into pretty much any pair of trousers. It's a sensible staple with a regular fit. However, if you're a bulkier bloke, it might be worth considering a size up as they do run tight.
The Fred Perry polo was a direct response to René Lacoste's range, setting themselves apart with an embroidered logo instead of an iron-on. By the 50s, their polo shirt became a popular choice among teenage boys, transporting the garment from the court to the streets.
Since then, this polo has been worn by practically every subculture and is, without a shadow of a doubt, a British staple. We've chosen the twin tipped polo, for that classic Fred Perry buttoned-up look that's both timeless and very versatile.
When your brand logo is a polo player, the chances are you're going to know a thing or two about producing the shirt. Although, interesting fact - the emblem first appeared on women's suits. Nowadays, it's synonymous with the brand and found on all of their attire.
Whilst Ralph Lauren have multiple polo shirts to choose from, we've opted for their slim fit, which is a little more contemporary. Of course, they also have the original, regular fit should you prefer. Plus, they come in a crazy amount of different colours!
If you're in the market for something that will do the trick, and aren't too fussed about fancy branding, then this simple polo from John Lewis & Partners will be right up your street. The design comes in eight different colours, but we've opted for this everyday eucalyptus green.
It's made from 100% woven Supima cotton, a supremely soft fabric that gives it a much cosier feel. It might not see you up there with the fashionistas, but it still looks very smart.
This polo from Reiss epitomises the vintage-inspired sports aesthetic, with a sharper edge. The classic block striped design follows that of many traditional rugby polo tops, but we particularly like the colours used. The muted tones complement one another, and will easily fit into the rest of your wardrobe.
We believe that this polo could become a rotational staple throughout the year, due to its slightly thicker cotton weave. The sport-chic might not be to everyone's taste, but if you ever wanted to try it, and didn't know where to start, this might be just the garment for you.
Any follower of fashion will have noticed that the 90s are having a resurgence right now. We're seeing many of that decade's trends coming back around, and this offering from adidas Originals encapsulates some of the most prominent - vertical stripes and vivid colours.
This polo looks like something Will Smith would have worn in The Fresh Prince, which is to say that it's bold and a little flamboyant. If you've got the confidence to match, then why not give it a go? It's also one of the cheaper options in our ranking.
Ted Baker has been a staple of British men's fashion since the late 80s. After opening their first store, the brand went from strength to strength, finally opening up in the famous Covent Garden. And, if we're being honest, we're not surprised, given the quality of the brand's output.
Take the Fulhumm Long Sleeve, for instance. It has a simple yet sophisticated design that's ideal for any smart-casual event. The fit is known to run true to size, and the dark navy colour is one of the most versatile options. It might not be the most exciting choice, but it's a solid 8/10 for practically.
While Fred Perry might be best known for their twin-tipped polos, they frequently dabble in more experimental attire. This shirt offers a little twist on the standard design, with a solid black collar and cuffs split into white, grey and yellow.
Moreover, the company have opted to use Supima cotton, which is superior to, and much softer than standard cotton. It might not be the most adventurous, but there is certainly a touch of character in this updated design.
Getting the ranking underway is this rugby-style polo shirt from workwear brand Dickies. This shirt uses a brilliant colour combination that might seem a little out there at first, but as both are fairly neutral, they'll work with many different outfits. That means this polo can be paired with chinos, jeans, or even shorts should you want to.
As the brand is best known for workwear, you can rest assured that all their apparel stands up to wear. Sure, it's not for everyone, and might be a bit casual for some, but if you're after something for relaxed days, this could be it!
If you like to look good, but don't exactly love scrolling endlessly online, worry not! We've taken the hassle out of shopping by ranking some more of the best men's fashion in the UK. From matching co-ord sets, to linen shirts, your new wardrobe is only a click away.
After reading our article, you're hopefully feeling a lot more confident about picking your new polo shirt. Once you've decided which one will work best with your wardrobe, fingers crossed that the sun stays out so you can show it off!
Author: Lewis Clark
No. 1: Lacoste|L.12.12 Polo Shirt
No. 2: Burton|Knitted Long Sleeve Polo in Camel
No. 3: Fred Perry|Twin Tipped Polo
No. 4: Ralph Lauren|Slim Fit Pique Polo
No. 5: John Lewis & Partners|Supima Cotton Pique Polo Shirt
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