We’re all familiar with polo shirts. A men’s clothing staple since its popularization as a tennis shirt in the 1920s, the simple polo has, in some cases, remained largely the same. Short sleeves. A simple collar. Solid colors or simple stripes.
But in other regards, it’s evolved. Today, you can find new spins on the humble polo that utilize exciting patterns, rich fabrics, and unique fits.
Of course, some polo shirts are intended to be subdued. Ones you can wear to the office, to a decent restaurant, or to a country club. The more exciting options typically serve a more casual purpose, as excellent choices for nightclub and poolside excursions.
But whichever type of polo speaks more to your personal tastes, not all of them are created equally. Cheap fabrics and unbreathable materials don’t exactly make for a good addition to your wardrobe, and pieces that are simply too generic run the risk of making you look a bit dull.
So, here are our top recommendations for the best polo shirts a man can buy in 2024. Read on to discover your new favorite!
The Best Budget Polo: Performance Pique Polo by Abercrombie & Fitch
If you’re looking for one of the cheapest options that still serves up great style, A&F’s Performance Pique Polo has everything you want, and then some.
Made from 96% cotton and 4% elastane to provide a drop of comfortable stretch, this pick features moisture-wicking properties and a classic, three-button placket. It comes in four great colors, though we’re partial to the dark brown!
For less than $35 when frequently on sale, this is one polo you can’t pass up.
The Best Basic Polo: Double L® Polo Banded, Short-Sleeve Without Pocket by L.L. Bean
Basic doesn’t have to be boring. If anything it should be solid. Sturdy. A reliable wardrobe staple. Which is exactly what this pick from legendary clothing brand L.L. Bean has to offer.
You can always rely on L.L. Bean for quality, and this polo is no exception. It’s made from 100% cotton and comes in over ten colors. To top it all off, there’s no annoying tag to tickle your neck, and it costs less than $40. What more could you want?
The Best Comfort Polo: Sueded Cotton Polo by Buck Mason
Comfort needn’t sacrifice style, as California-based brand Buck Mason so expertly demonstrates here with its Sueded Cotton Polo shirt. You can expect excellent construction with a super-soft feel that’s reminiscent of a well-worn t-shirt.
Its unique, ultra-soft texture is all thanks to the 145 GSM cotton jersey fabric, and it has a timeless look with a slight vintage twist. There are ten classic colors to choose from, and for $75, we think this polo is well worth the price of admission.
The Best Pocketed Polo: Luxury-Touch Pique Polo by Banana Republic
Banana Republic is far from the mall-brand clothing supplier you once knew. They’ve gone back to the roots of the brand and keep releasing absolute bangers onto the men’s fashion market.
Take this shirt for instance. It’s outfitted with Banana Republic’s signature all-cotton Luxury-Touch fabric, which is soft to the touch and features a subtle knitted texture.
You also get a sharp pocket on the breast, with clean lines and a straight hem. There are ten colors available too, with some especially eye-catching hues.
The best part? It’s often on sale for under $60.
The Best Preppy Polo: Classic Piqué Polo Shirt by J.Crew
The polo shirt is well-steeped in the history of prep and ivy style, so it’s refreshing to see some pieces lean into that.
J. Crew’s Classic Pique Polo Shirt features color-contrasting tips along the collar and sleeves, as well as a tennis tail that hangs slightly longer in the back. These details give this one a slightly sportier look, but don’t be fooled – it’s still a highly refined choice, made from 100% cotton.
It’s available in two colorways as well as classic and slim fit options, all for less than $40 on sale ($80 regularly).
The Best Classic Knit Polo: Liam Sweater Polo by Marine Layer
We love the color and texture options on this pick from Marine Layer. Their Liam Sweater Polo is made from a unique cotton, nylon, and wool hybrid fabric, maximizing comfort and a bit of added warmth.
Don’t worry though, this one’s still plenty breathable, so you’ll hardly break a single sweat while serving up great style.
The Eucalyptus version is fully cotton, however, and features an extra unique texture.
You can snag this one for as low as $108.
The Best Poolside Polo: Sand Crochet Buttonless Polo by SUITSUPPLY
For an ultra-casual, laid-back look, consider this crochet-textured polo as a top-tier choice. Made from 70% cotton and 30% silk, you can expect this shirt to be incredibly soft and tremendously comfortable.
Its buttonless design keeps things more casual than usual, and the semi-sheer effect makes this a perfect pick for relaxing by the pool. Ribbed hem and cuffs add a touch of elegance, however, making this piece easy to dress up or down as you please.
For $159, you get a heck of a lot of versatility out of one garment.
The Best Textured Polo: Cotton Cable-Knit Short-Sleeve Polo Sweater by Brooks Brothers
Brooks Brothers is an enduring icon of American menswear, so don’t be surprised that their polo shirt offerings can keep up with the best of them.
Their Cotton Cable-Knit Short-Sleeve Polo Sweater is richly textured and highly stylish. Of course, you can expect a 100% cotton construction and a ribbed hem to give this shirt tons of smart shaping.
The sleeves are composed of a contrasting jersey cotton, offering extra comfort and movement. In truth, this shirt nearly doubles as a performance polo, only its sharper qualities might be more at home in a country club.
Priced at $118 and with three clean color options for you to pick from, this is most certainly an outstanding choice.
The Best Retro Knit Polo: Goodfellas Salerno Knit Shirt by Scott Fraser Collection
The best knit polos have a distinguishable retro quality to them, and sometimes, that vintage style is the look you really want to go for. Interestingly enough, the best retro option on this list is also the most flexible, thanks to British brand Scott Fraser Collection.
Directly inspired by a shirt worn by Henry Hill (Ray Liotta) in Goodfellas (1990), this shirt might be the most stylish take on the polo we’ve featured yet. With distinctive vertical stripes in hues of blue, plus a dash of crimson, this is one shirt that’ll make you stand out.
It’ll run you a steep 257 GBP (roughly $328 USD), but Scott Fraser Collection knows that full-buttoned knit polos are often best worn with a tank underneath. That’s why they’ve sweetened the deal and offer you two complimentary vest tank tops with a purchase of this shirt, in either white or black.
The Poshest Polo: Linen Montauk Sweater Polo by Todd Snyder
We don’t know how they keep doing it, but Todd Snyder constantly excels at men’s style season after season. Their Linen Montauk Sweater Polo is arguably the poshest polo on this list, with five colors/texture varieties and a sleek, buttonless design.
Thanks to its 81% linen and 19% cotton blend, you get all the breathability you could want with less of the common linen wrinkling – making sure this shirt stays sleek and sharp around the clock. Its subtle ribbed trip provides a fine amount of detailed shaping, and the fabric is silky-soft, promising to be one of the most comfortable shirts you’ll ever own.
It costs just under $280, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find another shirt offering this level of quality and style around that price point.
The Wrap-Up
A good polo doesn’t need to break the bank, and you can find some great deals on solid products if you’re willing to dig a bit into the dense menswear market. Other times, you might be considering an investment piece to last you springs and summers for years to come.
Either way, you can count on Real Men Real Style to break it all down for you. We want you to dress your best, which is why we’ve taken the time putting together this list of the best polo shirts you can buy in 2024.
When it comes to polo shirts, there’s a fine line between classic and boring, and between stylish and garish. Our goal is to show you some of the very best styles for every need and budget. Stay sharp!