A premium polo shirt can instantly elevate your style, helping to bridge the gap between more casual fitted tees and the formality of a shirt. With versions now available in merino wool alongside the traditional cotton types, you can also wear them all year round.
Whether you're after a long sleeve polo for work or vintage striped styles for fun in the sun, read on to discover our picks of the best polo shirt brands for men…
Reiss
The Reiss polo shirt collection will appeal to all guys who prefer muted colours in their wardrobe. Spanning across a timeless range of colours including warm greys, pastel greens and deep reds, whichever one you pick is guaranteed to be an investment piece that'll see you through season after season. All styles are crafted from either cotton or wool fabric and tend to be cut to a slim-fit.
Lacoste
Whenever people discuss polo shirts there's usually one brand that everyone knows – Lacoste. The French firm has managed to gain an iconic status and today Lacoste polos are one of the core building blocks of most men's wardrobes. The collection is vast and you're guaranteed to find a Lacoste polo shirt in the perfect fit and colour to add to your new season wardrobe.
Ralph Lauren
For a smarter alternative to a designer t-shirt you can't go far wrong with a Ralph Lauren polo shirt. The American brand makes them in just about every cut, making it easy to find the best fit for your body shape. Most styles do come in quite long, so if you are on the shorter side be prepared to tuck them into your jeans/shorts.
Fred Perry
First seen at Wimbledon in the early 1950s, Fred Perry polo shirts have become a mainstay of British style. Although you can now buy them in a large range of styles, our top pick still has to be the heritage twin tipped style like the one featured here. Just add a pair of chino shorts and slim-fit jeans to complete the look.
Hugo Boss
With subtle branding, Hugo Boss polos are great for wearing to more formal occasions when you just want a comfortable, premium top. The long sleeve grey versions look particularly good teamed up with jeans and a blazer, while pastel short sleeve polos will take your style to new heights on a cheeky city break away.
Tommy Hilfiger
Tommy Hilfiger, king of Americana vintage, uses colours from the flag extensively across his collection of polo shirts for men. With all styles made from pure cotton, they're an absolute holiday essential and are guaranteed to inject some much-needed colour into your designer summer wardrobe.
Ted Baker
Crafted from soft cotton blends for extra comfort, Ted Baker men's polo shirts have become renowned for bold prints and playful detailing that you don't see with other designers. If you're looking to mix things up, it's one of the best polo shirt brands to shop and won't disappoint.
Paul Smith
Upgrade your 9 to 5 wardrobe this season with a Paul Smith polo shirt from the latest collection. Try teaming up a navy polo with a blue suit for summer style points, or opt for long sleeve charcoal styles in winter for sartorial success without compromising on comfort.
Zegna
Zegna polo shirts exude the luxurious tailoring that the Italian brand is so well known for across the globe. With subtle detailing such as mother-of-pearl buttons, they're in a different league to many other designer polos - but do come with a hefty price tag to match. One for the wishlist perhaps!
Diesel
If you're after a designer polo shirt for off-duty days, DIESEL should be near the top of your list. Cut to a shorter length than most other brands, they look great paired with distressed denim and are a worthy wardrobe investment. Opt for styles in traditional cotton piqué for maximum durability and you won't be disappointed.
John Smedley
With a heritage dating back over 200 years, John Smedley still produces its collection of polo shirts right here in England. For knitted polos you won't find a better brand, with each style crafted from merino wool sourced from the other side of the world in New Zealand. This should be your go-to brand if you're looking for the best quality polo shirts for work.
Lanvin
Now the oldest couture fashion house in France, Lanvin uses only the finest materials across its small range of polo shirts for men. These won't be for everyone as they're generally made in a regular cut for a comfortable fit, meaning they're not going to flatter athletic body shapes like slim-fit alternatives. However, if you have the budget for it then Lanvin is arguably one of the best brands for polo shirts you'll find.
