As the fall weather arrives and we are craving for more transitional pieces in our wardrobes, polo shirts become the perfect staple for the cooler season.
Not only do polo shirts offer the best smart-casual looks, thanks to their soft collar, placket buttons, and short-sleeve (mostly) features, which make them look dressier than a simple T-shirt. But you can also wear them for different occasions, from office wear, laid-back gatherings to semi-casual events.
And let’s not forget that they also work great with or without layers. You can easily layer polo shirts under blazers, trench coats, or sweaters without worrying that they will look bulky underneath. Or with a variety of bottoms: shorts, chinos, jeans, and even trousers.
In recent years, we have also seen how polo shirts are gaining massive popularity due to their preppy and sporty aesthetics. So, it’s no wonder that polo shirts have also become a staple for many sporty looks, such as the viral #tenniscore trend that lets people wear tennis-inspired outfits in public.
For transitional fall outfits, polo shirts also work great thanks to their comfortable materials, mostly made of piqué cotton mesh or other modern fabrics. They offer great comfort, as they can easily stretch and are thick enough to protect you from the cool breeze. It also goes without saying how universal polo shirts can be, as anyone can wear a polo shirt and look great in it.
So, as you prepare to update your wardrobes this month, learn about the history of polo shirts and discover the five luxury brands that offer fabulous polos that you can shop at MAYFEYR.
The History of Polo Shirts & Celebrity Fans
As the name suggests, the origin of polo shirts is attributed to the team sport, whose players wore collared, button-up shirts during their matches. But the modern polo shirt was then popularised in the late 1920s by French tennis player René Lacoste, who was looking for a more comfortable outfit to wear on the court.
Inspired by his friend the Marquis of Cholmondeley, who wore a polo shirt while playing on a tennis court, according to a 1979 People magazine interview, Lacoste began designing a short-sleeved version for himself, which he famously debuted at the 1926 U.S. Open. He later went on to commercialise the shirt in 1933 with André Gillier under his own namesake brand.
And, of course, over the following years, polo shirts quickly became sought-after pieces for men who wanted to wear something smart and casual. Polo shirts were not only worn by sportsmen, but eventually also by the world’s biggest A-list celebrities, such as Hollywood legend Paul Newman and rock and roll god Elvis Presley.
The list of famous actors who loved their polos also continues in modern times. From Brad Pitt to Cillian Murphy, who have been spotted wearing polo shirts during Wimbledon matches or casual outings, many female starlets have also shown their love for polo shirts.
For instance, the world’s biggest pop singer, Taylor Swift, has been photographed numerous times in classic knit polo shirts that she wore with light-wash denim, making it the chicest outfit for many younger generations.
Speaking of knit polos, this is another recent trend that you can’t ignore. Slightly different from regular polos, knit polos, also known as sweater polos, are made of thicker materials, such as wool, silk, or finer cottons, and are knitted from sweater yarns.
But the biggest difference is the continuous one-piece collar compared to regular polo shirts, which also makes them a celebrity favourite. From Chris Evans, who arguably became the poster boy of knit polos, to Ryan Gosling and Jacob Elordi, the appeal of knit polos is that they give a much more luxurious look with their unbuttoned-cum-unbothered style that fits the quiet luxury vibe.
Now, let’s take a look at the five designer brands that carry luxury polo shirts that will make you feel like a star.
Brunello Cucinelli
Known as the brand beloved by billionaires and tech moguls, Brunello Cucinelli offers a mélange of soft and comfortable polo shirts that are made from the finest quality materials (jersey, linen, and piqué cotton) and designed with talented Italian artisanal craftsmanship in the hamlet of Solomeo, Italy.
Offering a variety of polo shirts, from shirt-style collars to striped and knit styles, Brunello Cucinelli pays attention to detail with its crisp collars, delicate ribbed cuffs, and real mother-of-pearl buttons. They are also available in both short- and long-sleeve models and come in a slew of warm, rich colour palettes that are perfect for the fall season.
As a go-to brand for the elites, you can also look sharp in Brunello Cucinelli polo shirts, easily match under a tailored blazer or wear casually on their own with the brand's finest trousers and loafers.
Thom Browne
Before building his own fashion empire, Thom Browne spent some time honing his skills working with Club Monaco when it was still under Ralph Lauren’s company.
In 2001, Browne launched his namesake brand and changed the face of fashion with his formal dressing: the shrunken men’s grey suit and, of course, the 4-Bar Stripes signature that can also be found in the luxury brand’s polo shirts.
Over time, Thom Browne’s polo shirts became popular among men who wanted something sporty and preppy, turning classic clothes into high-fashion statements. You can never go wrong with the label’s polos and knits, featuring Browne’s four horizontal stripes around one sleeve.
From classic cotton piqué and smooth jersey to ottoman knit and seasonal wool or cashmere blends, Browne offers a wide range of polo shirts that are ideal for the end-of-year weather. Besides its famous four-Bar Stripes, Browne’s polo shirts are also defined by the house’s signature Red-White-Blue (RWB) grosgrain loop tab at the back collar, woven name-tag appliqués at the front hem, and side-hem buttoned vents with hidden RWB ribbon trim.
Prada
When we think about Prada, we may remember its avant-garde clothing or its popular Galleria bags, but we say don’t sleep on Prada’s fabulous polo shirts as well.
Blending Italian minimalist style with sharp tailoring, Prada’s polo shirts come in both short and long sleeves and are available in a slew of rich and cosy colours for anyone. Crafted with meticulous precision, their polo shirts are made of premium fabrics, like soft cotton piqué, cashmere, and even luxury wool polos that will make you feel like you’re being hugged by clouds.
They also offer a slew of stylish designs. For instance, if you want an extra oomph in your polo shirts, Prada offers stylish striped polos with ribbed knit collars and cuffs, along with an embroidered logo, that you can easily pair with neutral-coloured shirts for any kind of occasion.
Burberry
If you’re looking for designer polo shirts with rich heritage design, then you could do no wrong with Burberry. The legendary British fashion house is known for its vintage check pattern, which can also be found in its variety of polo shirt offerings.
While other polo shirts feature plain-looking collars, Burberry polos infuse their classic check designs subtly under the collars, or on their button plackets, giving them a unique lavish touch. But don’t worry, as they also offer a wide range of different styles, including striped polo shirts that come in bright and vibrant colours and polos with embroidered Equestrian Knight and TB monogram logos.
For styling tips, pair Burberry’s polos with tailored trousers, dark denims, or crisp linen pants for a smart-casual look. If you’re leaning into a more sporty look, match your Burberry polos with pleated tennis skirts or layer them with its iconic trench coats.
Tom Ford
With its unique design philosophy that combines sharp, hyper-masculine tailoring with unexpected fabric blends, like cashmere-silk and lyocell-cotton, Tom Ford’s polo shirts are known for their understated aesthetics that definitely stands out from the rest.
Ford’s polo shirts avoid sporty cuts and treat their polos more as a luxury canvas. This results in a multitude of selections, ranging from piqué to fine-gauge, contrasting piping, and towelling polo styles. Not to mention that their mesh polo shirt, with its semi-sheer, 18-gauge mesh knit, also puts a unique spin on the traditional polo. The Tom Ford way.
Shop your next must-have polo shirts only at MAYFEYR.
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