The Polo Shirt Ranking Nobody Asked For (But Everyone Needs)
2024-07-07 · 5 min read
The polo shirt exists in a style purgatory most men never escape. Worn wrong, it reads as country-club cliche or tech-company uniform. Worn right, it is one of the most versatile warm-weather pieces available: more polished than a tee, more relaxed than a button-down, comfortable enough for all-day wear. The difference is entirely in which polo you buy.
Sunspel takes the top spot. Their Riviera polo, the same one Daniel Craig wore in Casino Royale, is made from cotton mesh that breathes beautifully and sits close without being tight. At around a hundred, it justifies every cent. The collar holds its shape, the buttons are mother-of-pearl, and the fabric improves with washing.
Lacoste's L.12.12, the original pique polo, deserves its legacy position. The classic fit is slightly boxier than modern slim options, which actually reads better in 2025. At around ninety, it remains one of the most recognizable garments in menswear.
Fred Perry's M3600 twin-tipped polo is the definitive slim-fit option. Its association with British subcultures from mods to punk gives it cultural weight most polos lack. The ribbed collar and cuffs create a clean silhouette. Around seventy-five dollars, excellent value.
The budget tier is dominated by Uniqlo's DRY-EX polo at about twenty dollars, which uses moisture-wicking fabric outperforming its price point. It fits well, comes in useful colors, and works perfectly for casual summer wear.
Knit polos deserve their own mention. NN07, Corridor, and Far Afield make knitted polos in textured cotton and linen that read more like knitwear than sportswear. These are the polos to wear under blazers. Prices range from sixty to one-twenty. Shop polo options at https://www.endclothing.com.
The universal polo rule: the collar must stay flat, the body must skim without clinging, and the sleeves must hit at mid-bicep. If any of these fails, the polo fails. Get these right at any price point and the polo transforms from dad cliche into a genuine style piece.
