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Some occasions call for nice attire, but not too nice—happy hours, dinner dates (can’t try too hard), and more. When a dress shirt feels like too much and a t-shirt isn’t formal enough, polo shirts fill the void.
The best men’s polo shirts combine good looks, breathable fabrics, and a nice fit. These are our top picks. From brands like Reigning Champ to Lululemon, there’s sure to be a shirt that fits your needs.
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Things To Consider When Shopping For The Best Polos
Polo shirts have a rich heritage when it comes to men’s fashion. Originally used in India in the 19th Century by polo players who were dissatisfied with thick long sleeves, the best ones strike a nice balance between performance, style, and comfort.
Fit And Style
Even if a piece of clothing has a stylish look, it’ll be for not if it doesn’t fit your body. A well-fitted polo should be slim, but relaxed, gently forming to the contours of your body. Polos that are too loose look sloppy, while overly tight shirts are restricting and signal bad fashion.
Also make sure the style fits the scenario—classic and slim styles are better for dressier situations why relaxed, performance polos are best for weekends and travel.
Fabrics And Materials
Most polos today are made from a specific weaving technique called piqué knit that gives the shirt its signature waffle-like texture, while also offering flexible breathability. Cotton has traditionally been used, but newer styles and brands like Rhoback and Vuori use synthetic fibers that are better for sweat management and stretchiness. Go for cotton if you won’t be moving a lot and performance blends if you’ll be active and sweating.
Color And Design
A suitable polo shirt collection has a mix of solid colors, neutral shades like black or grey, and perhaps some stripes or patterns for when you want to let loose. The most important thing is to have a well-balanced array—no need to over index in either category, and different settings will be better for different styles.
Occasion
Polos are great all year round: In warmer weather they can easily fly solo, while colder months will likely require a jacket or sweater. If you’re in the office, opt for classic colors like black, white, or navy and make sure they compliment your pants and shoes.
Outdoor activities like tennis or hiking should have performance features like UV protection, sweat resistance, and wrinkle-free materials. Think about how much movement your body will be getting—generally speaking, cotton should be for chill days and synthetic materials for active settings.
Our Top Picks:
Rhoback makes a wide range of activewear for guys, and The Birdie polo is a shining example of a golf polo. It’s made of a polyester-spandex blend and comes in a wide range of cool designs and patterns that’ll look great on the links.
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Best Cotton Polo Shirt
Mack Weldon’s Pima T-Shirt Polo uses soft 100% Pima cotton that comes in a relaxed fit that looks great tucked or untucked.
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Best Performance Polo Shirt
The Evolution Short-Sleeve Polo Shirt are the yoga pants of polo shirts. Yes, it’s made by Lululemon, but it also uses a sporty tri-blend fabric great for sports or socials.
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Best Casual Polo Shirt
Reigning Champ makes some of the best quality basics and this polo is one of my favorites. I wear the Lightweight Jersey Polo in the subtle Aloe color with jeans or khaki shorts and appreciate how light, versatile, and slim it looks.
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Best Striped Polo Shirt
The Japanese Nautical Stripe Polo uses 100% cotton sourced from Japan for a classic-but-fresh silhouette. It has a handy chest pocket (for your sea navigation tools, of course) and features a buttonless collar.
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Best Solid Color Polo Shirt(s)
What could be more iconic than a polo from… Polo Ralph Lauren? The Soft Cotton Polo Shirt comes in Classic or Custom Slim fits with a ton of colors and the signature embroidered jockey logo on the left chest. It really doesn’t get better than this.
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Similar to Ralph Lauren, Lacoste has been in the polo game for decades. The Original L.12.12 Petite Piqué Cotton Polo is an elegant staple in a rainbow of colorways.
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Best Lightweight Polo Shirt
Soft modal, Pima cotton, and stretchy spandex come together to create the “Second Skin” polo from Tommy John. This is the perfect shirt for warm weather and the tagless label ensures no annoying itching when you’re trying to move around swiftly.
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Best Moisture-Wicking Polo Shirt
Columbia’s outdoor expertise is fully embodied in the Utilizer Polo Shirt. It comes in Standard, Big, and Tall sizes and has special moisture wicking and UPF 30-protection fabric. It’s great for anything you’re doing outside, whether hiking or mowing the lawn.
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Best Travel Polo Shirt
Vuori’s best-selling polo is popular for a reason. It’s made of anti-odor and quick-drying fabric that’ll get you from point A to point B while keeping you fresh and ready for your next appointment. Not to mention, it’s about the softest material available—I recently picked one up and it feels like a portable fuzzy blanket, no hyperbole.
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Best Slim Fit Polo Shirt
The Stretch Pique Polo comes in a Slim cut that has a slight taper, perfect for a put-together look in the office. It’s made of cotton-spandex blend that looks classy, but has a touch of performance stretch.
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Most Versatile Polo Shirt
Transitioning from the beach to dinner? The Kismet Polo is made from organic cotton and recycled polyester that offers breathability and fashion. The brand uses nine plastic bottles to make a shirt, but beware, this polo’s beachy colors may keep you in a never ending state of “tropical chill.”
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How to Style Men’s Polo Shirts
While polo shirts have, and always will be, in style because of their iconic appeal and ultimate versatility, the ways you can style them have opened up for the better. As long as the bottoms match the polo and the setting, the outfit will work.
For example, solid-color slim-fit polos look great with chinos or dress pants at formal events and relaxed patterned shirts work great with swim trunks or shorts when you’re on vacation. Another thing to keep in mind is that dress polos should be tucked in for a formal look while more casual shirts look great untucked. You want the hem to sit just below the waist for perfect tucking.
FAQs
Which Are The Best Polo Shirt Brands?
Of course, Polo Ralph Lauren and Lacoste are two of the most iconic polo shirt brands, so you can’t go wrong, but new entrants such as luxury brand Sunspel or Buck Mason have also been making waves with their premium looks.
If you’re looking for a techy shirt, it’s best to go with athleisure brands such as Lululemon, Vuori, or Mack Weldon, as they’re designed for sports and will often have proprietary fabric blends.
Is It Professional to Wear a Polo Shirt?
If you’re not sure what to wear, then opt for a polo. They’re as casual as they are formal. Polo shirts are great for the office, especially on regular non-board meeting days. Just be sure that they fit properly and aren’t wrinkly.
Should I Wear My Polo Shirts Tucked In or Out?
Wearing a polo tucked in or out is a matter of preference and occasion. It’s best to tuck in your shirt at dressy settings like work or a meeting, but on the weekends or out with buddies, a relaxed tucked out fit could be more appropriate. It’s also important to consider when style goes best with the pants or shorts you’re wearing.
What Fabrics Are Best For Men’s Polos?
The best fabric depends on the situation. Cotton has classic softness and works best with dress clothes, while cotton piqué offers a unique sporty look. For sweat management, go for blends that include synthetic fabrics such as polyester and elastane. These will often have specific features like UPF sun protection and four-way stretch.
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