eli schmidt
Best Overall
Bugatchi Tipped Solid Polo
Best Overall
Bugatchi Tipped Solid Polo Credit: eli schmidt Pros Flattering fit Timeless style Cons Somewhat pricey for a pima cotton polo
Of all the polo shirts we’ve tested this past year (and trust us: we’ve seen a lot), Bugatchi’s polo climbed to the top of our rankings for its flattering fit, timeless style, and its breathable fabric. First, let’s talk about looks. Our fashion director Ted Stafford likes the polo’s pipping around the collar and arm bands, which adds pops of color without being too flashy. We also like its classy three-button style, and its relatively slim fit. In short, this polo will look good for years to come, decreasing your cost per wear.
Like some of our favorite menswear essentials, Bugatchi’s polo has some performance features. It contains a hint of stretch that moves as well as some of our favorite workout shirts, while its pima cotton is cozy, but breathable. We’ve worn this during hot afternoon commutes and found that it kept us cooler than most other cotton polos we’ve tested. If you’re going to invest in one polo shirt this season, let it be this one.
Read more: Best Golf Shirts
Materials Pima Cotton Fit Slim Sizes S to XXL
Best Classic Polo
Polo Ralph Lauren Performance Polo Shirt
Best Classic Polo
Polo Ralph Lauren Performance Polo Shirt Credit: eli schmidt
We’d be remiss not to include Ralph Lauren, one of the OG makers of polo shirts. And the beauty of owning one of the shirts: you know it’ll never go out of style. We especially love Polo Ralph Lauren’s Performance Shirt, which takes the brand’s classic polo and infuses it with athleisure features like stretch fabric, a breathable knit, and UPF 50 for extra sun protection. We’ve worn this just about everywhere, from the links, to barbecues, and everywhere in between and found that it looks great in just about any casual setting.
Plus, we also love its roomy fit, which is back in style and just adds an extra layer of comfort. In other words, if we could live in this polo shirt, we would.
Read more: Best UPF Clothing
Material Cotton Fit Relaxed Sizes S to XXL
Best for Vacations
Todd Snyder Terry Pocket Polo in Bisque
Best for Vacations
Todd Snyder Terry Pocket Polo in Bisque Credit: eli schmidt Pros Terrycloth fabric dries easily Roomy fit is very comfortable Cons Might be too casual to use as an office uniform
If you’re looking for a breezy shirt to wear to the pool or beach, this Terry Pocket Polo from Todd Snyder has got you covered. It’s mostly made with terrycloth—the same fabric found in luxury hotel towels—which feels incredibly soft, and dries quickly. We’ve thrown this shirt on after a poolside dip and found the roomy fit to be extremely cozy and breathable.
We like the contrast piping along the collar and chest pocket, which adds a retro flair to our looks. Our fashion editors prefer wearing these with bright swim trunks or equally roomy shorts for a foolproof tropical fit. Take note: even though this polo is very elevated, it’s for vacations only. Don’t try to pull this off at the office.
Material Cotton, polyester Fit Relaxed Sizes XS to XXL
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Best Sweater Polo
Madewell Johnny-Collar Short-Sleeve Sweater Polo
Best Performance Shirt
Faherty Movement Pique Polo Credit: eli schmidt Pros Extremely stretchy Classic fit
A bunch of menswear brands have been churning out polos with performance features. But few do it as well (or with style) as Faherty. Its movement pique polo looks like a classic polo, but houses some modern specs. It has a hint of stretchy elastane, which allows the shirt to move like a second skin (hence the name). We like the modal-cotton blend fabric, which is soft and breathable, while still looking polished enough for the office.
Our editors have worn this on golf courses, in meeting rooms, and found that it worked well in both settings. That means you’ve got an extremely versatile shirt. And thanks to its old-school silhouette, you know it’ll always be in style.
Read more: Best Workout Shirts
Material Cotton, modal, elastane Fit Classic Sizes S to XXL
What Else to Consider Buttons
One of the signature details of a polo shirt is its buttons. There can be two or three buttons—the more, the more formal the shirt looks. They can contrast or blend in with the color of the fabric, for style purposes. Most importantly, there can be no button at all—replaced by a buttonless Johnny collar or a zip.
Color and Pattern
You want to have a few solid-color polos in your arsenal—preferably white, navy, black, or gray and a couple of seasonal colors. Beyond that, you can then invest in some more detailed polos like a stripe, any graphic pattern, color-blocking, or just a few contrasting stitches here and there. These make for great vacation shirts, layering options, and night-out shirts, whereas the solid-color polos are better for more formal occasions.
Occasion
Determine the purpose of your polo shirt. For casual wear, soft comfort and a flattering fit are keys. For business casual and formal wear, stick to classic colors like black, white, or deep navy and a button-down or spread collar as well as a tailored fit. For athletic and outdoor activities, make sure your polos are made with moisture-wicking, quick-drying, stretchy, or even UV-protection fabrics. For traveling, a polo shirt would be stretchy, wrinkle-resistant, breathable, and versatile enough to be dressed up or down. Lastly, polo shirts are all-season-friendly, but you’ll want lightweight, breathable fabrics for summer, and thicker, heftier materials for colder weather.
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How to Style Polo Shirts
While polo shirts have always (and will always, mark our words) been in style thanks to their timeless cuts and formidable versatility, the ways to style them have changed for the better: so long the polo you choose looks appropriate with the bottoms you have and with the occasion you’re attending to, it’ll work.
For instance, in formal settings, a solid-color, slim-fit polo shirt will look extra classy with chinos or dress trousers. For vacations, a relaxed-fit polo shirt can be worn with matching or contrasting swim trunks and sweat shorts for a casual vibe.
Additionally, think about whether to tuck in polo shirts to look more elevated or formal. A straight-hem polo, for instance, is made to be tucked in. A loose-fit polo, on the other hand, looks much better untucked. And when it comes to the hem, you want it to hit just below the waist so you can easily tuck it in but doesn’t dangle below your hips.
Ted Stafford is the Fashion Director of Men’s Health. He oversees all style and fashion content for the brand, and also styles their fashion stories. His active lifestyle informs his passion for translating great designs into real-life style, a favorite part of his job. Prior to joining Men’s Health he worked at GQ magazine and Calvin Klein
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