The polo shirt has come a long way since seven-time Grand Slam tennis champion René Lacoste designed a lightweight alternative to his existing and cumbersome tennis attire.
And, from being adopted by polo players to meaning business in the boardroom, this missing link between casual clothing and formalwear has since been seen on screen, catwalks and sports fields alike.
Here are our picks of the best polo shirts you can buy, items that will stand the test of time, keep you comfortable, and ensure you look effortlessly cool.
The Icon, Polo Ralph Lauren Slim Fit Polo: First on the list is the cornerstone of Ralph Lauren’s Polo collection. Available in 17 different colours, from dusk orange to midnight blue, the design of this classic t-shirt has been refined so many times that it may well be the perfect polo. We like the tan, where the horse emblem – that has become synonymous with quality – is a dark brown.
The Original, Lacoste Contrast Collar Polo: Despite the original polo being designed almost a century ago, Lacoste’s current range are still made from the same piqué cotton as their very first shirt. An elegant essential, this is our sporty pick – which will keep you looking sharp long after the final whistle has blown.
The Long Sleeve, Barbour Perforated Knit Polo: Over time, the polo shirt has snuck into business casualwear. Under a jacket, this Barbour long sleeved polo walks the line between sporty and smart. Made with 100 per cent Merino wool, it is sumptuously soft, and the classic three button collar ensures that iconic polo look.
The Patterned, Giorgio Armani Textured Two-Tone Polo: The genius of polo shirts is their simplicity. Block colours, simple cuts, three buttons. But sometimes it is acceptable to introduce a little excitement into the mix and, in the case of this textured polo by Giorgio Armani, positively encouraged. Solid collar and cuffs offset the pattern nicely, and the half-button neckline adds another stylish twist to an established classic.
The ‘Connery’, Scotch & Soda Classic Pique Polo: There are few polo shirt wearers cooler than Sean Connery’s James Bond. In Dr. No, the superspy takes to Jamaica and, to ensure he still looks his best in the humid climate, throws on a polo shirt. This is the closest we could find to Bond’s tropical t-shirt, and we would recommend investing in some Caribbean chic.
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