Tag / best men’s polo shirts

by Beau H.

The Sunday Sale: This Bonobos Performance Polo is an On-Sale, Ultra-Easy Style Upgrade

Best polo shirt for men.

There are certain style upgrades that are so easy to make, you almost might forget you even made said upgrade. In my book, that can be something as simple as swapping an ultra-soft, laidback polo shirt in place of a stretch dress shirt or even a T-shirt, and that’s where the Bonobos Pima Performance Polo makes the ultimate difference.

You’re getting all the benefits of a breezy top layer, one you can wear with chino shorts, linen trousers or light wash jeans, yet the design comes with the polish of a crisp collar.

And a stylish men’s polo shirt like the handsome Bonobos Pima Performance Polo still offers plenty of mileage as far as wearability is concerned — starting right now and rolling past Labor Day, especially if you find yourself needing to dress for Casual Fridays or a day at the links.

Find out more now at Bonobos

In my experience, a comfortable, moisture-wicking polo can also prove the ideal travel shirt — it moves with you, it’s soft to the touch, it stands up to a long day’s travel and it even looks, dare I say it… a touch nicer than an average T-shirt as you move through the TSA Precheck line.

Yes indeed, there’s much to love about the Bonobos Pima Performance Polo, including the fact that it’s on sale right now through the famed New York City retailer.

The Bonobos Pima Performance Polo comes in a useful, lightweight 50-50 fabric blend of Pima cotton and proprietary performance acrylic fabric for softness, stretch and breathability, while the option to pick one up in either Slim or Standard fits provides variety for every body type (helpfully, sizes also run from XS to XXL).

Shop fashionable shirts, polos and more at Bonobos

Right now, the Bonobos Pima Performance Polo in a highly wearable Light Beige retails for under $60, but a host of other colors are yours for the taking for just $75 — a steal in its own right. Consider scooping up at least one color of your new favorite polo shirt, then wearing said shirt underneath a lightweight navy blazer or else on its own with stretch chino shorts to end summer — how’s that for a style steal you can make work for you right now? Cheers to shopping and saving in style, my friends.

by Beau H.

The Sunday Sale: This Merino Polo from Huckberry Blends Performance and Style (At a Discount)

Best polo shirts for men.

When you scour the market for the best spring style essentials, what do you look for? Do you look for picks that blend the best of utility with performance and effortlessly cool style? That’s the mission of this blog, after all, and it all comes together in one expertly cut polo shirt — one that’s nicely priced at a discount — from our friends at Huckberry.

Think of it like your favorite polo shirt, just done up with performance fabric and the same wear-with-anything design, from the office to the links and back.

You’ll find it among a host of spring style must-haves priced to sell in the Huckberry Sale section, from crisp chinos to stylish lounge shorts, loafers and essentials for the home, but let’s dive into what makes the Proof 72-Hour Merino Polo Shirt so special (and so needed for your own wardrobe).

As Huckberry tells it, your new favorite polo shirt is a cut above, featuring “thermoregulating, odor-resistant, moisture-wicking Australian merino wool,” the kind that wicks away sweat, keeps you cool and serves a long-lasting purpose (Huckberry puts selections like the aptly named Proof 72-Hour Merino Polo Shirt through 72 hours of wear testing, after all).

Learn more now at Huckberry

All the classic details you need in a versatile polo remain, including a three-button placket — this time, the Proof 72-Hour Merino Polo Shirt is finished with matte black snap buttons for a low-key, subtly stylish look.

Nylon is used at key stress points to give the Proof 72-Hour Merino Polo Shirt some durability and a clean look — the kind that allows this handsome performance polo to be worn tucked in with stretch chinos or untucked with comfortable lounge shorts and leather loafers at a weekend BBQ.

Shop on-sale menswear and gear at Huckberry

It’s even finished with UPF30+ sun protection, the sort of detail that Huckberry never seems to overlook. How’s that for the right mix of performance, style and effortless cool? Not bad at all, my friends.

And given the fact that the Proof 72-Hour Merino Polo Shirt is marked down below $70 on sale, it’s also high time to take advantage of a wear-with-anything, go-anywhere polo shirt from the menswear masters at Huckberry.

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: This Relwen Long-Sleeve Polo from Huckberry Is An Unexpected Spring Style Swerve

Best polo shirts for men.

There’s a list of men’s style essentials fit for any spring or summer wardrobe, but particularly when the temperatures start to shift slightly from late winter into early spring. We’ve talked a lot about those essentials here on this Brooklyn style blog in recent weeks and months, of course, and my friends at Huckberry deliver a perfect series of seasonal style swerves — slight departures from the norm that look great and wear even better. Let’s dive on in, shall we?

Shop new spring menswear at Huckberry

And yet, a prime example might be the long-sleeve polo shown above: Yes, a new long-sleeve polo from the Relwen Spring Collection, which blends the traditionally crisp look of a polo shirt with long sleeves for added coverage in brisk spring weather.

The Relwen Pique Long-Sleeve Polo, like other offerings found online at Huckberry and in the Relwen Spring Collection, takes its cues from heritage styles, in this case, the durable rugby polo shirt worn by … you guessed it, rugby players. So while a short-sleeve polo might prove a breezy option on warmer days, the Relwen Pique Long-Sleeve Polo is a wise choice as either a standalone shirt or as part of a layered look atop a field coat or a lightweight cotton blazer (helpfully, Relwen also makes both of those must-haves).

The details are carefully considered with the Relwen Pique Long-Sleeve Polo, including a dressy three-button placket that features horizontal buttonholes — that way, the buttons and buttonholes last longer. The inner collar also features woven facings — extra fabric that gives the Relwen Pique Long-Sleeve Polo a refined finish by helping it retain its shape.

Shop men’s polo shirts and more at Huckberry

Don’t let the more formal nature of the long-sleeve polo fool you, however: You can style this one with expertly faded jeans as readily as you can stretch chinos or even wool suiting trousers on especially cold spring days. The elegantly cool Relwen Pique Long-Sleeve Polo is a welcome change of pace from the traditional polo shirt, and your wardrobe will be all the better for it this season.

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: The Outerknown Sojourn Polo is a Perfect Polo Shirt for Summer

Best men's polo shirt for summer.

In my experience, the best men’s style upgrades for summer are pieces that come in a silhouette you know and love, like one of the best men’s polo shirts, yet boast some features that separate them from the pack entirely.

Somewhere between the sharp style of an office-ready dress shirt and the casual nature of a pocket tee or a rugged men’s henley, the polo shirt is an indispensable summer classic — the short sleeves keep you cool and the collar adds polish, from BBQs to beach hangs.

And while the traditional polo shirt is usually made of, say, a thicker cotton pique fabric, Outerknown takes on the challenge of reinventing the polo shirt in stride.

Learn more now at Outerknown

The sustainable menswear brand, founded by surfing legend Kelly Slater, has long taken casual, eco-conscious men’s style quite seriously, from laidback picks like Outerknown chino shorts to the famed Outerknown Blanket Shirt, and the same can be said for the much-loved Outerknown Sojourn Polo.

That goes for its style as much as its famously outdoor-minded nature, with a range of colorways from navy to charcoal (keep scrolling for more).

Best summer polo for men.

How is the Outerknown Sojourn Polo a change of pace from the classic polo shirt? It starts with the fabric and construction, as so many great staple pieces from Outerknown tend to focus on when improving menswear staple pieces. The Outerknown Sojourn Polo uses super-soft regenerative organic pima cotton, a change of pace in terms of its eco-friendly nature and its ultra-comfortable feel.

That gives the Outerknown Sojourn Polo the breezy feel of a T-shirt, while the two-button placket lends the polish and versatility of a polo. As Outerknown says, the Outerknown Sojourn Polo is like adding a collar to your favorite T-shirt, and that’s the sort of casually cool summer style upgrade I can get behind.

When in doubt and when searching for something in between a dress shirt and an Oxford shirt or even a T-shirt, opt for this must-have from a favorite sustainable brand you can trust.

by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Criquet Shirts Striped Player’s Shirt

A clean, classic polo with eye-catching stripes and a quality fit. That’s what Criquet Shirts does so well.

Now, I know we’ve been talking about rugged early fall style here on the blog for a few weeks now, but … well, what if it’s not quite cold enough to layer up yet in your neck of the woods? Or, what if you deal with the heat year-round and want a wardrobe refresh? That’s what today’s Style Pick of the Week dives into — the Criquet Shirts Striped Player’s Shirt is your answer to both questions above, to say the least.  It’s gotta be among the best men’s polo shirts, for a few good reasons. Here at The Style Guide, we love the all-American style and crisp design brought to the table by Criquet Shirts— and if you want to squeeze every last drop out of what’s left of the warm weather, a  stylish striped polo is certainly a great way to do that. Crucially, the Striped Player’s Shirt retains all the key style details that you appreciate from Criquet Shirts (see this entry in our Style Pick of the Week series for more).  So, we’re talking a substantial, crisp collar and organic cotton jersey fabric. Plus, the bright white base on the Striped Player’s Shirt is a nice nod to breezy style in warm weather. And the fit on the Striped Player’s Shirt? It’s classic through and through — not too slim, not too baggy. So, once you’ve added the Striped Player’s Shirt to your shopping cart … perhaps you’re wondering how to wear a polo shirt to maximize the last of the warm weather?

In short, I’d break out the Striped Player’s Shirt just as often as I could before chilly weather starts to roll in. It’s a stylish, classic complement to your favorite pair of tan chinos, ideally teamed up with classic white sneakers for a bit of preppy style. The good news is, the Criquet Shirts Striped Player’s Shirt works quite well with more rugged pieces. Trust me — with its sharp four-button placket, you can throw the Criquet Shirts Striped Player’s Shirt on underneath an indigo denim jacket, finished off with stylish leather high-top sneakers. That sort of outfit is great for grabbing a beer with buddies or kicking back at your favorite Sunday brunch spot. And if you want to dial in a  business casual look, the Striped Player’s Shirt can get the job done there, too. Simply add a classic navy blazer, grey chinos and perhaps leather loafers — that combo is going to work for the rest of the month. And if you live in a warm climate? You can take the Striped Player’s Shirt with you nearly everywhere — a patio dinner, a rooftop bar, the beach … seriously the Striped Player’s Shirt can go anywhere. Criquet Shirts has again done a standout job crafting a sharp, tailored polo that toes the line between dressy and casual — pick it up now and wear it as long as you can.

Are you a fan of the Striped Player’s Shirt from Criquet Shirts? How would you style this shirt in warm weather?

by Beau H.

Online Shopping Picks: The Five Best Polos to Buy for Spring and Summer

Editor’s note: To fill up your digital shopping cart with  more spring shopping picks, start over here.

When it does warm up, you'll be glad you grabbed a sharp polo. Pictured is one from last year's Michael Bastian x Uniqlo collaboration. Linen shorts by Frank & Oak. Vintage ballcap by Goorin Brothers. Brown leather watch by Daniel Wellington. Glasses by Warby Parker.

When it does warm up, you’ll be glad you grabbed a sharp polo. Pictured is one from last year’s Michael Bastian x Uniqlo collaboration. Linen shorts by Frank & Oak. Vintage ballcap by Goorin Brothers. Brown leather watch by Daniel Wellington. Glasses by Warby Parker. Shot outside the Los Angeles Shinola store.

The polo — underrated style move, or a once-cool style move that’s been co-opted by fellas rocking one too many with popped collars? We’ll consider those important questions and more here today on The Style Guide, where we’re into full-on spring shopping mode. A trusty spring jacket is going to be an essential layering piece, as will a slim, lightweight sweater, but eventually, things will warm up. And when they do, don’t count out the polo. The key to differentiate it from polos of years past (likely florescent in color — see Exhibit A) is to pick out one that’s cut slim and modern, with some unique texture or pattern to boot.  The great thing is that designers have certainly stepped up their game in recent years — get a load of the retro, high fashion-inspired polos produced as part of the Michael Bastian x Uniqlo collaboration in recent years. And as with the style you see at the top of the page, you should be looking for similar inspiration and a trimmer fit. Yes, the polo has gotten its own upgrade (thankfully). And hopefully, the picks below are going to be upgrades for yourself, too. Read on, and get to shopping — those polos won’t buy themselves now.

#1. J. Crew Textured Cotton Tipped Polo Shirt — $49.50

Retro style, meet a very competitive price point from J. Crew.

Retro style, meet a very competitive price point from J. Crew.

J. Crew’s take on the textured cotton polo shirt looks to be a nice return to form from a retailer that’s had its struggles as of late. But when it comes to easygoing seasonal staples, it’s still tough to beat them. This polo combines some retro style inspiration (check out the tipped collar and sleeves) with what should be soft fabric and a trim fit. Any of the three colors would be remarkably solid to rock at the office with slim tan chinos and a retro pair of sneakers, but this writer’s a fan of the navy-and-white colorway in particular.

#2. Uniqlo Dry Shirt Collar Polo — $19.90

The dressier answer to the casual polo, courtesy of Uniqlo.

The dressier answer to the casual polo, courtesy of Uniqlo.

While this Uniqlo polo loses the fancy stripes of the J. Crew option in slot #1, it manages to look surprisingly dressy and crisp thanks to the button-down collar. Plus, the built-in DRY technology will keep you cool. Notably, Uniqlo’s polos are a remarkably good value for the price. The range of color options here again means any of the brand’s picks would be suitable to rock under a lightweight blazer in a heightened shade of blue. While plenty of us just can’t seem to stop wearing blue (myself included), the light shade shown here is perfect for spring Sunday brunch — and beyond.

#3. Grayers Slub Nep Jersey Polo in Denim Blue — $59.50

Spring and summer-ready fabric at a reasonable price.

Spring and summer-ready fabric at a reasonable price.

When it comes to prep style staples, Grayers is definitely a brand to which you want to turn. Its Slub Nep Jersey Polo is crafted from soft jersey fabric that manages to be surprisingly breathable. Having checked out one of these myself, the fit is slim and the styling potential is perfect for spring — for a styling suggestion, check out a recent #OOTD from this site. The heather blue fabric is a nice change of pace when you want to add some texture to a denim jacket, and the price is solid for a polo that can be worn with everything from lightwash denim to grey chinos.

#4. Bonobos Classic Pique Polo in Heather Brick — $58

Don't let the blues get you down -- grab this heather brick polo instead, ehh?

Don’t let the blues get you down — grab this heather brick polo instead, ehh?

Designers and brands have definitely been changing up their approach to polos, opting for softer fabrics than pique — but Bonobos knows its knitwear, so this pick still stands (or is it pique?). The Classic Pique Polo in this case takes a shade of burgundy more commonly seen in fall & winter and updates with some nice heather texture. It’d be a great piece to work into your rotation if you’ve already got polos in other colors, and the price isn’t too bad for being Bonobos (home of tuxedos that push $1,000). Feel free to rock this with slim stone chinos and brown suede chukkas on weekends galore.

#5. Sunspel Riviera Polo Shirt in Navy — $125

As worn by Bond himself, a heritage style updated for modern times.

As worn by Bond himself, a heritage style updated for modern times.

Last but CERTAINLY not least, I give to you — the polo worn by James Bond. Yes. Yes, indeed. Sunspel sure did strike it big when Daniel Craig wore its Riviera Polo in Casino Royale, simultaneously putting that particular style on the map and encouraging a bunch of guys to hit the gym.  At any rate, if there’s such a thing as investment-quality polo, this is it. It’s about the furthest thing from the bad connotations given to the polo — this shirt is all class, with breathable cotton mesh fabric and styling potential worthy of James Bond.

As I sought out the perfect polo (or polos, in this case), I looked several places — perhaps you should, too. Brands like Banana Republic offer their own, slightly dressier takes on the polo, while a more classically focused retailer like Old Navy offers very reasonably priced, sport-inspired options. As with any picks here on the ole Style Guide, focusing on fit, quality and price are going to put you in the right position to pick up the perfect polo (say that five times fast!). Did I miss any key picks? Drop me a line on Twitter, and check out The Style Guide on Facebook either way.

What’s your favorite polo on this list? Do you have yours picked out yet?