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.
best stylish polo
Todd Snyder Made in L.A. Tipped Montauk Polo Shirt
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best simple polo
Banana Republic Luxury-Touch Performance Polo Shirt
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best all-occasion polo
Abercrombie & Fitch Cotton-Modal Polo
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best athletic polo
Lululemon Evolution Short-Sleeve Polo Shirt
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best versatile polo
Amazon Essentials Regular-Fit Cotton Pique Polo Shirt
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best go-to polo
Polo Ralph Lauren The Iconic Mesh Polo Shirt
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best designer polo
Burberry Logo-Embroidered Cotton-Piqué Polo Shirt
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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. Hell, some of these polos are even cashmere—a fabric you couldn't pay us to wear when it's over 60 degrees. If you don't believe us yet, maybe these 20 polo shirts will convince you otherwise.
best performance polo
Everlane The Performance Polo
best performance polo
Everlane The Performance Polo
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. Wear. Wash. Repeat.
Material | Cotton, Elastane |
---|---|
Sizes | XS–XXL |
Colors | Black, White |
Fit | Standard |
best stylish polo
Todd Snyder Made in L.A. Tipped Montauk Polo Shirt
best stylish polo
Todd Snyder Made in L.A. Tipped Montauk Polo Shirt
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.
Material | Cotton |
---|---|
Sizes | XS–XXL |
Colors | Black, White, Navy, Olive |
Fit | Standard |
best simple polo
Banana Republic Luxury-Touch Performance Polo Shirt
best simple polo
Banana Republic Luxury-Touch Performance Polo Shirt
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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.
Material | Cotton |
---|---|
Sizes | XS–XXL |
Colors | Black, Navy, Dark Gray, White |
Fit | Standard |
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Pros
Has four-way stretch
Moisture-wicking fabric
Cons
Buyers report the fabric feels thin, like a T-shirt
A casual, everyday vibe that can be smartened up in a jiffy with a blazer and loafers, or dressed down with denim.
Material | Cotton, Modal, Elastane |
---|---|
Sizes | XS–XXL |
Colors | Teal, Black, White |
Fit | Standard |
best athletic polo
Lululemon Evolution Short-Sleeve Polo Shirt
best athletic polo
Lululemon Evolution Short-Sleeve Polo Shirt
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.
Material | Polyester, Lyocell, Elastane, Nylon |
---|---|
Sizes | XS–5XL |
Colors | Heathered Black, Black, Nautical Navy, Iron Blue, Trench |
Fit | Slim |
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best versatile polo
Amazon Essentials Regular-Fit Cotton Pique Polo Shirt
best versatile polo
Amazon Essentials Regular-Fit Cotton Pique Polo Shirt
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 | Cotton |
---|---|
Sizes | XS–6XL |
Colors | 44 |
Fit | Standard |
best go-to polo
Polo Ralph Lauren The Iconic Mesh Polo Shirt
best go-to polo
Polo Ralph Lauren The Iconic Mesh Polo Shirt
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.
Material | Cotton |
---|---|
Sizes | XS–XXL |
Colors | 63 |
Fit | Standard |
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 |
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best designer polo
Burberry Logo-Embroidered Cotton-Piqué Polo Shirt
best designer polo
Burberry Logo-Embroidered Cotton-Piqué Polo Shirt
Pros
Sleek and elegant
High-quality construction
Easy to dress up or down
Cons
$$$
Tonal branding is near-invisible (though this could also be a pro, depending on your perspective)
Burberry knows its way around the classics. This polo is smart and sharp.
Material | Cotton |
---|---|
Sizes | XS–XXL |
Colors | Black, Midnight Blue |
Fit | Standard |
best OG polo
Lacoste Original Petit Piqué Cotton Polo
best OG polo
Lacoste Original Petit Piqué Cotton Polo
Pros
High-quality mother-of-pearl buttons
Iconic look
Cons
Buyers report fabric feels thin
Inconsistent sizing
Lacoste is, after all, an OG in the world of polos. If anyone's perfected the art that they created, it's these guys.
Material | Cotton |
---|---|
Sizes | XXS–5XL |
Colors | 32 |
Fit | Standard |
best sueded cotton polo
Buck Mason Sueded Cotton Polo
best sueded cotton polo
Buck Mason Sueded Cotton Polo
Pros
Small-batch dye process gives a unique, vintage look
Cotton has been sueded for extra softness
Cons
Faded look is hard to dress up
Small-batch garment dyeing creates a timeworn effect in this faded wash. Disclaimer: it's not suede—it's sueded for softness.
Material | Cotton |
---|---|
Sizes | XS–XXL |
Colors | 9 |
Fit | Slim |
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Pros
Sleek, high-end look
Super soft
Cons
$$$
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 |
best chic polo
Ted Baker Short Sleeve Slim Fit Polo Shirt
best chic polo
Ted Baker Short Sleeve Slim Fit Polo Shirt
Pros
Wide size range
Versatile look
Cons
High price tag for no extra features
Ted Baker imbues everyday elegance into a versatile, preppy polo that's easy to dress up or dress down.
Material | Cotton |
---|---|
Sizes | XS-8XL |
Colors | Red, Navy, Blue, Black, Green |
Fit | Slim |
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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 |
best basic polo
Uniqlo Dry Pique Short-Sleeve Polo Shirt
best basic polo
Uniqlo Dry Pique Short-Sleeve Polo Shirt
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.
Material | Cotton, Polyester |
---|---|
Sizes | 2XS-3XL |
Colors | Black, Blue, Navy, Gray, White |
Fit | Standard |
softest polo
Naadam Fancy Cashmere Short Sleeve Polo
softest polo
Naadam Fancy Cashmere Short Sleeve Polo
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 |
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Pros
Cool, sleek branding
Easy to dress up or down
Cons
Pricey
You know Moncler for its puffy parkas, but you love it for its polos. Or at least you will once you try this one on.
Material | Cotton |
---|---|
Sizes | S–XXL |
Colors | Ice, Black |
Fit | Slim |