The Best Men’s Polo Shirts To Wear Right Now

Polos are one of those menswear staples whose relevance has been proven in the face of controversy time and time again. For even despite the questionable block cuts of the ’90s, the dorky designs of the aughts, and — the worst of them all — the tech material bro culture of today, the garment remains unshakably resilient in its ability to elevate a guy’s appearance. Then again, the polo is a shirt that transcends style right from the very beginning. Sure, Réne Lacoste might have created the original piqué polo as a piece of athletic performance apparel; however, it was always destined for greater things.

All that is to say, polos might be considered ‘back’ but that’s because they never really left. On the contrary — hidden amongst the worst of the garment’s associations is a treasure trove of fashion-approved fits. From towel-like terry cloth to retro ribbed finishes to super-soft Italian silk, the polo is a shirt abound with options. As such, it can be pretty overwhelming to find the options worth your time and money. Never fret, though; as always we’re here to help, and we’ve put together this handy guide to get you on your way. What follows are what we consider to be the best polo shirts for men because the style’s gotten a bit of a bad rap in recent years, and we’d like to set the record straight.

What To Consider

Fit: When finding the right size for your polo shirt, knowing if the model is true-to-size is important. That said, you should determine your own size by a few factors. For one, the hem of the shirt should fall right below the waistline, which may cause a taller wearer to go a size up. Likewise, the shirt itself should be fitted but not too tight. 

Sleeves: As opposed to the shirt’s fit, the sleeve length will be determined by the application. The safe choice will be for the cuff to fall about halfway between your shoulder and elbow. However, for less casual occasions, you may want to opt for longer sleeves, whereas shorter sleeves will be better for a more retro appearance.

Material: While falling victim to shrinking over time, cotton is often a higher-end material that will be found in more formal polo shirts. That said, a lot of cheaper options will use a less-expensive cotton base as well. Blended materials such as polyester-cotton will be better for the workplace or casual settings. As for performance-ready attire, you’ll find polyester and/or nylon materials, often blended with stretchy spandex and offering moisture-wicking properties.

L.L.Bean Double L Polo with Pocket

The Starter: Crafted using remarkably soft cotton pique, this traditional-fitting piece from L.L.Bean is a sturdier alternative to typical affordable options from mall brands, like UNIQLO or Banana Republic. Made for comfort, the Double L Polo with Pocket is made for excellent breathability, with a printed label that won’t irritate. Equipped with a no-roll collar and a tonal herringbone pattern that’s subtle yet classic, the shirt has a trimmer fit that sits higher on your shoulder, which may not be optimal for broader individuals. 

Ralph Lauren Soft Cotton Polo Shirt

The Safest Bet: No list of polo shirts would be complete without an option from Ralph Lauren. After all, the brand’s eponymous designer is the one who made the garment an international icon in the 1970s. This Soft Cotton shirt largely keeps with the OG polo aesthetic, though it’s been updated with a slightly more relaxed fit, a luxurious cotton interlock construction, and an ultrasoft finish. Oh, and of course it sports the iconic polo player embroidered on the left chest.

Lacoste Smart Paris Polo

The Other Safest Bet: René Lacoste single-handedly invented the tennis shirt back in the 1920s, so it should come as no surprise that his brand makes the cut. With the Smart Paris Polo, you’re getting the same stretchy cotton piqué construction, ribbed sleeves, and clean collar as his game-changing innovation. However, in order to create a modern, more refined style, Lacoste has concealed the button placket and embroidered the signature croc in an understated monochromatic colorway. Left up to us, we’d rock it in black, but you can’t go astray with any of the many available hues.

Todd Snyder Slub Jersey Montauk Polo

The Upgrade: Button-free polos might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but this Slub Jersey Montauk Polo from Todd Snyder features the exact quality you’d expect from the U.S.-based style brand. Designed to look better every time you throw it in the wash (which also means you’ll have to wash it separately from your other clothes), the natural indigo-dyed shirt comes in several shades of blue, and also black, and is given a trim fit for a classier yet relaxed look. If you’re a fan of Todd Snyder’s standard Montauk Polo, note that this version is slightly thicker.

Thom Browne Chest Pocket Polo Shirt

The Premium Polo: Expensive? Yes. But that’s the price you pay for making a statement. And we found it crucial to highlight a brand whose sartorial prowess ranks second to none right now, especially amongst a style that leans toward the business casual end of things. Featuring a quintet of buttons down from the collar, Thom Browne’s Chest Pocket Polo is the only $400 option on this guide, but with that, you’ll get a brilliant fit made from the finest cotton you can find. Fortunately, the aggressive sleeve stripes on the brand’s other polo are swapped for the understated stripe detailing on the top of the pocket, making this one less in-your-face.

UNIQLO AIRism Full Open Short-Sleeve Polo Shirt

The Best Affordable Polo: Something more affordable than the $35 option from L.L.Bean? We can’t believe it either, but it’s no surprise to see that UNIQLO has you covered. If you want to dress for success without breaking the bank, Uniqlo’s AIRism Full Open Short-Sleeve Polo is easily your best bet. Like all of the Japanese label’s offerings, it goes big on value, combining a quick-drying cotton-polyester fabric blend with a streamlined silhouette to result in a shirt that keeps you feeling as cool as you’ll look. And with its hidden buttons, fine thread count, and seamless design, it offers a more minimalist take on the classic polo finish.

Outerknown Hightide Terry Polo

The Beach-Ready Polo: Sure, Outerknown might not be the first name that comes to mind when looking for more formal attire, but the Kelly Slater surf brand is chock-full of sustainable style. For instance, its Hightide Terry Polo shirt comes crafted from a combination of organic cotton and 100% post-consumer recycled polyester, meaning that it skips out on chemicals and cuts down on plastic waste. And because it’s knit from terry cloth material, you better believe that it’ll be keeping you cozy in towel-like comfort that gets you ready for any weekend excursion.

Sunspel Riviera Polo Shirt

The Bond-Approved Polo: If a shirt’s good enough for Bond’s steely-eyed style, it’s good enough for us civilians living in the real world. First created for Daniel Craig’s performance in Casino Royale, Sunspel’s Riviera polo is a shirt that’s since become a staple in the world of men’s fashion. Spun from a breathable cotton mesh and cut with a trim fit, this is one option that’s as hard-working as it is handsome. In short: It’ll have you looking ready for Her Majesty’s Secret Service, though we can’t promise you keys to the DB5.

lululemon Metal Vent Tech Polo Shirt 2.0

The Best Performance Polo: lululemon’s Metal Vent Tech tee is arguably already the most prominent piece in its catalog, boasting a seamless, chafe-free construction that is as beneficial for days at the gym as it is for tepid trips to the office. The athleisure giant recently updated its ever-popular piece to have extra roominess in the chest area for an even-more-relaxed fit when you need it most. Giving the polo additional versatility, the meshed nylon and polyester construction will make sure that your skin can still breathe even when your workout heats up. 

Proof 72-Hour Merino Polo

The Runner-Up Performance Polo: Let’s be honest, sometimes you just can’t get to a washing machine when you’re hiking or traveling. Other times you simply forget to do laundry before squeezing in a gym session after work. Giving you at least three days of performance with no fuss, Proof’s 72-Hour Merino Polo is constructed with a special blend of 16.5-micron merino wool (89%) sourced from farms in New Zealand and nylon (11%) that’s both odor-resistant and moisture-wicking. Proof makes a 72-Hour T-Shirt as well, but for transitioning from the gym to the office, this Polo is your best bet.

J.Crew Cotton Cable-Knit Polo Cardigan

The Starter Knit Polo: Okay, we’ll admit that this one is pushing the polo definition just a bit, but we can’t get enough of the vintage style. Between the full button-up closure, the cable-knit design, and the heavier-weight fabric, J.Crew’s Cotton Cable-Knit Polo Cardigan sweater has all the makings of a first-rate fashion piece that would have made Steve McQueen very proud. Throw this on with a pair of jeans or chinos and you’re bound to make an impression in any room you enter.

Corridor Scallop SS Slouchy Polo 

The Premium Knit Polo: Leave it to Corridor to transform a polo into a practical sweater. The brand takes its knitted silhouettes very seriously, whether it’s embroidered sweaters or even tie-dye polos. Implementing an oversized fit constructed of plush, long pima cotton fibers with a wavy pattern that even extends to the bottom of the breast pocket, this Peru-made Scallop SS Slouchy Polo may have a specific type of wearability but if you can pull it off, you’ll be a hit anywhere you go.

The Best Summer Pants

Though a polo shirt will go a long way in helping you look your best, you can’t neglect the rest of your outfit. Pair it with one of our picks from our guide to the best summer pants for men and you’ve got a winning combo that’s comfortable no matter the occasion.