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I've got rugby on the brain all the time these days, and not just because I'm watching the Australian spin-off of Survivor. It's mostly because I can't throw a rock without hitting another fashion collection using it as a reference – but as a fan of the collegiate look I'm certainly not complaining. Retailers all along the price spectrum have embraced the rugby shirt as an unbeatable staple for spring, with its medium weight and oversized fit perfect for the variable temps of shoulder season.
So whether you're a devoted fan of the game, or like me, you don't know a single rule apart from the fact that they tackle each other, I've got eight recs for the best, boldest and stripiest rugby shirts around. Now let's get a good scrum going.
The perfect layer for if that last gasp of winter chill is hanging on, B by Ben Sherman's Rugby Layering Sweatshirt takes the classic silhouette and adds some extra warmth to it. The red and white stripes across the hem and cuff accent the marine blue color perfectly, and I'm never mad at the addition of a front pouch pocket. Especially for the discounted price tag, this one's quite the steal.
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Though the rugby shirt is typically synonymous with large horizontal stripes, J. Crew is flipping the script with this vertical iteration. Large navy columns alternate with thin pink pinstripes, an unexpected bit of color-blocking that lends lightness to an often heavy look. The cotton jersey means extra comfort and the reinforced elbows mean extra durability – it's got you covered whether you're on the field or at the coffee shop.
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The only solid color option on this list, this shirt is a great example of why Madewell deserves more love outside of just their denim. The construction on the shirt really stands out, especially the stitching where there would usually be a stripe of color. It's got a perfect fit for tucking in (maybe into a pair of their jeans), and also comes in a gray-and-white edition if you can't part with the two-tone look
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Reigning Champ gets bonus points for offering a pretty killer matching set: the above rugby shirt with matching 6" rugby shorts ($110). It's my favorite of the bunch, a classic aesthetic with some bold updates like the 00 jersey number on the back. I'm a big fan of the comfy, chunky cuffs too, and love both pieces equally as separates and as one cohesive fit. Plus that forest green color just looks good on everything.
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Talk about a statement piece. The mustard yellow dip-dye on this black rugby shirt is cool as hell, bringing a ton of texture to an already heavyweight cotton. The collar is more reminiscent of a non-rugby polo, but the extended buttoning means you can wear it similarly. If your looks skew more streetwear than sporty, you won't find a better match.
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You've heard of the famous Princess Diana black sheep sweater – now get your hands on the Diana Red Sheep Rugby. Made byWarm & Wonderful, the same company that revived Lady Di's iconic look, this shirt opts for one lone sheep that pops playfully against fire engine red fabric. If you like the traditional shape but want more colors in the mix, check out the rest of the offerings through Rowing Blazers: they're very much the authorities on rugby fashion, and for good reason.
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Last but not least, we've got a pattern with even more history than the game itself: the green, red, yellow and brown stripes are inspired by Canadian woven blankets from the 1700s that were used as part of the North American fur trade. That style is now translated onto heavyweight cotton, with an off-white base that lets the stiff white collar pop even more. It's got a Moonrise Kingdom vibe to it that I just can't get enough of.
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