The Best Polo Shirts for Men, Tested by Style Editors

Over the past four years, I’ve tested more than 25 different polos from a number of brands, but Lacoste’s pique shirt reigns supreme. For over nine decades, this cotton polo has been a mainstay in the fashion game, blending its tennis roots with everyday style for guys who want to perform on the court and equally look great at the office (or happy hour). With its signature crocodile-logo and knitted fabric, it’s one of the most recognizable polos spotted on the likes of Adrien Brody, Tom Selleck, and even tennis champion, Novak Djokovic.

The original design has a slim fit, cutting close in the arm area with a straight-but-tailored drape. Guys with bigger builds and biceps might want to size up as it can run small. It’s not your average polo. Lacoste uses petit pique cotton, a specially woven fabric that creates a breathable, honeycomb texture with stretch and structure that won’t give out after a few wears. Yes, the material is on the lighter side, but the production cost of this cotton is much higher than your standard cotton, meaning the quality is ten times better.

I’ve been wearing this polo since my college days at Howard University, and it still feels just as fresh as it did back then. When I wear it, I always feel cool, even if the temps have spiked to the 80s. In terms of styling, I typically wear it with blue jeans, but will pair it with shorts in the dog days of summer. You can find it in a bunch of colors, but this dark wine-red shade creates a luxurious, elegant vibe that not many sport-inspired polos offer. Sure, $100 might seem steep for a polo shirt, but consider it money well invested. From its rich heritage and durable construction to timeless style, Lacoste’s polo deserves a spot in your spring-summer wardrobe.

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Pros

• Stretch fabric and roomy fit
• Timeless style
• UPF 50 for extra sun protection
• Comes in a bunch of colors

We’d be remiss not to include Ralph Lauren, one of the OG makers of polo shirts. And the beauty of owning one of these 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.

I’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, I love its roomy fit, which is back in style and works for a range of body types. It’s available in lots of colors, but the navy feels the most classic and versatile enough to pair with cream chinos or blue jeans. It’s also one of those polos that looks sharp, whether it’s tucked in or left to hang.

I wasn’t expecting much from a $14 polo, but this Amazon bestseller punches way above its weight. The slim fit is clean and flattering on a bunch of body types, and the cotton fabric feels surprisingly breathable, even on muggy days. It doesn’t have the added stretch you’d get from spandex or elastane, but I still found it cozy enough for weekend errands and office commutes.

The best part? It comes in so many colors that you could easily stock up on a spring-summer rotation for the cost of a fancy dinner. I’ve paired it with chinos, jeans, even shorts, and it looked great with all of them. Sure, you wouldn’t train or play sports in it, but for day-to-day looks, it’s a solid move.

Banana Republic designed a soft-yet-durable sweater polo bridges the gap between casual and formal wear, earning a spot in our lineup. Our Grooming Editor Sean Zucker loves to wear this one to the office on days when he has dinner plans after clocking out. He can tuck into dress pants and pair the fit with loafers for a put-together look. The fabric is made with a waffle-like thermal stitch that gives texture and retro vibes. It feels comfortable and light, even on days when outside starts to heat up.

Thanks to the straight, roomy fit, Zucker doesn’t feel too suffocated. On laundry day, he tossed it in the washer, which kept it looking fresh, but he recommends letting it air dry to avoid shrinkage. Whether you want a regular fit or tall sizing, Banana Republic has options that make it easy to nail a polished look without trying too hard.

Cos is one of my favorite menswear brands, especially for clothing that feels premium enough wear to a museum opening or fancy dinner. Take this slim-fit pool shirt that’s a step from your typical long-sleeve. It swaps out the sporty jersey fabric for smooth merino wool, making it read like a luxury knit. The material is softer, finer, and more temperature-regulating than cotton. You might read wool and think it’s heavy, but it’s actually lighter than the Banana Republic polo. This is one of the shirts you wear year-round, season after season. Plus, the burgundy color is like the cherry on top, punching it above the basic polos on the market.

It doesn’t feel comfortable in a muggy station, but I’ve found it to be breathable in the city, whether the temps are in the 60-70 range. It avoids the boxy, dad-polo effect and gives a closer fit that skims the body without being too tight. In this case, most body types can rock this option with no issue. You can put it in the washing machine, but it’s best to take a trip to the dry cleaners. Since it has a more polished vibe and will last for some time, those qualities justify the price tag.

Bugatchi ditched the traditional buttons for a Johnny collar (a split V-neck opening) for a unique, flattering aesthetic. For extra style points, the collar and cuffs have double stripe tipping that’ll make you stand out. Unlike many options we’ve tested, this polo shirt is made with pima cotton, which is the finest cotton out there—thanks to its longer fibers that feel durable and luxurious without piling. The air blue colorway pairs nicely with navy chinos and loafers for a semi-dressy look or shorts for a casual lunch fit.

We also like its relatively slim fit that flatters most body types. 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 it during hot afternoon commutes and found that it kept us cooler than most other cotton polos we’ve tested.

Peter Millar built its name on golf shirts, but this one deserves a spot way beyond the fairway. Our editors have worn this on city commutes, business-casual office days, and even for a night out, and it’s never felt out of place. That’s because it has a classic fit that’s super flattering, and it’s roomy through the shoulders, which is a win if you’ve been hitting chest day (though it might be too roomy for leaner guys). I found the polyester-spandex blend has a smooth silky feel that’s not textured or mesh-like. The jersey knit is breathable and stretchy to keep you looking and feeling cool when you’re out and about this summer.

One editor wore it out on the greens in 80-degree temps, but the fabric didn’t get soaked. He stayed dry and comfortable despite the sun beaming down on him during all 18 holes. I’m partial to the Petal Purple style, which has a pop of color without looking too loud, but Peter Millar has a whole range of shades if you want to build a rotation. Pair it with travel pants, chinos, or even shorts, and you’ve got a polished-yet-comfortable uniform.