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We all know the best men’s polo shirts are a good compromise between classy dress shirts and cozy tees.
They’re often made with the same fabric as athletic wear and come in solid colors, vibrant hues, and bold patterns.
They can be worn for a wide range of occasions, whether it’s in the office, at cocktail parties, during happy hours, or even as a casual base layer for suits.
A good polo shirt needs to be woven with high-quality materials and should be breathable to stand against daily wear.
I’ve researched high and low for the best men’s polo shirts—and even recently tried a few styles from the top brands—that can match your needs for various occasions.
Whether you just want to elevate your attire or have a cozy staple for work, these are the best polo shirts for men.
Key Takeaways
To unravel the best men’s polo shirts, I combed through a ton of brands, Amazon listings, and customer reviews. The nine below are the top options I found based on material, size, fit, and color.
My best overall is the Collars and Co Semi-Spread Collar Polo Rosewood because of its modern design combined with a breathable fit. It’s then followed by the Gildan Ultra Cotton 6.5 oz. Pique Polo for its heavyweight build, soft texture, and affordable price.
Why it’s great: The Collars & Co. Semi-Spread Collar Polo Rosewood weaves comfort and style together. This short-sleeved shirt sports a formal semi-spread dress collar and offers 4-way stretch to ensure the perfect feel, tucked or untucked.
The collar can even accommodate a large tie knot and it’s breathable to wear with a blazer on. It’s also equipped with moisture-wicking properties, so you won’t deal with annoying sweat when you wear it during warm weather or a round of golf.
Who is this for? This is one of the very best men’s polo shirts. It’s a perfect shirt for men who want a comfortable top that doesn’t feel stuffy. Plus, it comes in a lot of colors and patterns.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The fabric may pill easily when washed with other types of clothes. Please follow the care instructions!
Material: 100% Polyester | Sizes: S–3XL | Colors: 28 | Care: Machine wash
Why it’s great: Crafted from certified organic cotton, the Percival Blackjack Negroni Knitted Polo boasts a smooth fabric with a luxurious finish that drapes effortlessly. The fabric has a basket weave knit detail which truly elevates this as one of the more special polo shirts out there.
The shirt’s lightweight and breathable structure makes it the perfect warm-weather staple. It also displays a clean, refined, and modern image through its minimal open placket collar.
Who is this for? If you have the cash for it, then is is one of the best polos for sustainability and design.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: This is one of the best men’s polo shirts you can buy. However, you’ll pay more than $100, so it might not be for everyone.
Material: 100% Organic Cotton | Sizes: XS–XXL | Colors: 3 | Care: Machine wash
Why it’s great: The Billy Reid Pensacola Polo hides its features behind its simple design. It’s cut in soft organic cotton and garment-dyed to produce its soft and vibrant texture. It boasts a classic fit with straight sleeves, giving the shirt an elevated vintage look.
The collar and placket maintain their form through the brand’s woven cotton sheeting technique. You’ll look equally dapper when unbuttoned, as the underplacket’s twill tape adds a refined touch.
The Billy Reid Pensacola is one of the best men’s polo shirts you can get. It’s a versatile top that you can wear tucked or untucked, making it a great everyday wear option for both dressy and casual social events.
Who is this for? A great option for modern guys searching for that “effortless” look. Its construction will also accentuate a muscular build (if that’s you, champ).
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The pocket tends to curl up if cared for poorly. Nothing a regular iron can’t fix!
Material: 100% Cotton | Sizes: S–XXL | Colors: 8 | Care: Machine wash
Why it’s great: Cozy and definitely airy, the Aurélien White Egyptian Polo Shirt maximizes the softness and lightweight texture of fine cotton to provide possibly the most comfortable shirt men can find.
This piece of smart-casual wear drapes effortlessly down the body and is extra soft. It also boasts the relaxed elegance the brand is known for and showcases 14 vibrant colors that can match just about any outfit. All of that makes it one of the best men’s polo shirts out there.
Who is this for? A great option for summer-ready attire for men, as the light cotton fabric provides enough breeze to stay cool despite the rising temperature.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: It’s a bit loose, so men who want to show off their masculine figure may not find this to be the right shirt for them.
Material: 100% Egyptian Cotton | Sizes: S–3XL | Colors: 14 | Care: Machine wash
Why it’s great: Woven in Brescia, Northern Italy, the Luca Falconi Elba Polo is a premium linen jersey polo shirt that showcases unparalleled breathability. Its lightweight weave is accompanied by a smooth and soft texture brought about by its Aloe Vera treatment finish.
The shirt comes with a relaxed fit and nine visually pleasing hues. The mother-of-pearl buttons further upscale the shirt’s elegance. It also comes with sweat-absorbent characteristics, making it ideal for daily wear.
Who is this for? This is one of the best men’s polo shirts you can find. It’s a great, functional staple for a man’s wardrobe. One that goes well with both city casual and beach-side leisure.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The fabric is a bit thin, so it may not be a good option for more formal work events.
Material: 100% Linen Jersey | Sizes: XS–3XL | Colors: 9 | Care: Hand wash
Why it’s great: One of the best deals on Amazon is the Hanes Men’s X-Temp Short Sleeve Polo Shirt. This midweight pique top feels super soft against the skin, and the “X-Temp technology” it’s designed with will keep you cool and dry no matter how hot the weather is.
It’s made to adapt to your body temperature and wicks moisture away from your skin. Moreover, the FreshIQ feature keeps bad odors away from your body and prevents the shirt from permanently staining.
Another nice aspect of this shirt is that it doesn’t wrinkle easily—you can throw it in the closet unfolded, and it’s still going to come out smooth when you pull it out.
Who is this for? This is one of the best men’s polo shirts. It’s great for guys who don’t want to deal with sweat, odor, or ironing. No fusses here.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: They’re a little loose, so order a size down if you want a tighter fit.
Material: 50% Polyester, 50% Cotton | Sizes: S–6XL | Colors: 8 | Care: Machine wash
Why it’s great: The Gildan Ultra Cotton 6.5 oz. Pique Polo is an affordable polo shirt that’s roughly between $8 and $14. Despite being made from cotton, it’s quite heavy, so you know that it’s built to last the test of time. It’s also still soft and quite breathable.
The three wood-tone buttons offer a touch of sophistication in case you intend to wear it to smart-casual business events. Its quarter-turned body (seams on the size) minimizes creases, meaning you’ll look great even when you wear it all day.
Another great thing about this shirt is the extensive selection of colors—you can pretty much grab a colorway for any outfit you may be rocking.
Who is this for? A great, breathable shirt for guys looking to spend less on clothing and still get something good.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: This is one of the best men’s polo shirts. Know, though, that the size runs smaller than usual. Unless you want a super tight look, size up by one.
Material: 100% Cotton | Sizes: XS–XL | Colors: 19 | Care: Machine wash
Why it’s great: The CQR Men’s Polo Shirt is a top that comes with extra athletic features compared to more traditional shirts. Made from polyester FrostTech fabric, it offers sweat-wicking, maximum stretchiness, quick-dry, and two-way air circulation, making it the ideal choice for outdoor activities.
Simply one of the best men’s polo shirts, its classic 3-button crewneck design gives you a sophisticated look, even when you’re hiking, camping, or hunting. It comes with a pen pocket on the left shoulder—talk about added convenience.
In addition, the built-in mesh ventilation system gives the shirt more breathability, so you’ll barely feel the heat even when you suffer the toughest workouts.
Who is this for? This is the polo shirt for trailblazers and adventurers who work and spend time outdoors.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The length is true to size, but the width may run a little tight. Order a size larger for a comfortable fit.
Material: 100% Polyester | Sizes: XS–3XL | Colors: 20+ | Care: Machine wash
Why it’s great: Boasting an ultralight texture that keeps you cool and dry, the Woolly Polo gives you the comfort of merino wool in a standard, professional-looking shirt. Its six color options and modern fit make it ideal for business meetings or date nights.
The flatlock seams, chest pocket, and button-down collar add more style to this subtle yet comfortable polo. Its fully merino construction provides you with natural stretch, odor resistance, and moisture-wicking properties. It’s also hypoallergenic, so you won’t have to deal with skin irritation and itchiness.
Who is this for? A smart casual polo shirt is great for modern men who want to look sharp and feel cool when out on the town.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: This is one of the best men’s polo shirts on the market today. However, it does tend to shrink after a few washes, so it might be safe to order larger than your usual.
Material: 100% Merino Wool | Sizes: XS–XXL | Colors: 6 | Care: Machine wash
Buying Considerations For the Best Men’s Polo Shirts
Material
The best men’s polo shirts will vary depending on their construction and the materials used. If you want a shirt that’s breathable and soft, then a cotton fabric will suit your needs.
Merino wool offers a lightweight texture on top of natural stretch and quick-dry features; so if you’re looking for a more athletic fit, this fabric may be the best for you.
Polyester, on the other hand, is more durable and can easily take daily wear and tear and sweat. Generally speaking, go for polyester for golf or tennis and cotton or linen for casual wear.
Size & Fit
The size and fit of a men’s polo shirt are extremely important, but it all depends on the wearer’s preferences. You might want something a bit breezy, so going for a relaxed or loose fit is the right choice here.
If you’re in the market for a shirt that contours to your masculine figure, then a nice shirt with four-way stretch may be the solution. What you don’t want, however, is a shirt that feels too tight or has extra room under the sleeves – those will never look the best.
Color
Like the size, colors will also depend on how you want your overall style to look. Neutral colors go well with dark pants, whereas patterned and vibrant ones may look better with washed jeans or chinos.
It’s paramount to consider how you want to appear to others—whether you want to look sharp and refined or casual and carefree.
How We Chose
Polo shirts can span from top-quality European fabrics or budget-friendly synthetic blends. The truth of the matter is that each type works better for certain individuals and settings.
Keeping this in mind, I prioritized quality over everything else and read through customer reviews and product descriptions to find the best men’s polo shirts that match specific people’s needs based on these factors:
Purpose: Is it breathable? Is it soft? Does it have sweat-wicking properties? I searched for polo shirts that served the proper purpose, not ones that claimed to be the best all-around shirt for every situation.
Customer Reviews: What do people say about the shirt? Would they recommend it to their friends? Customer reviews were one of the key indicators of a great product when rounding up these selections.
Price: You shouldn’t force yourself to buy the most expensive item available if the affordable alternative offers the same features at a better deal. I balanced quality and price points when selecting the polo shirts.
Why Trust Us?
Joe Niehaus is an experienced researcher, product reviewer, and tester. He’s written for sites including The Adult Man and Travel + Leisure, so he has a keen eye for top-quality polo shirts that can serve men’s needs.
Joe’s careful research method to find the best men’s polo shirts includes testing the products hands-on, analyzing and judging the selected materials, while also working with industry experts to zone in on the features that matter versus marketing jargon.
His readers get first-hand experience and curated recommendations, not just generic descriptions, to help them make enlightened decisions based on real-life customer testimonials.
Final Verdict
The best men’s polo shirts should fuse stylish comfort with appealing functionality like a breathable fit and stretchy texture, all within a reasonable price tag.
The Collars and Co Semi-Spread Collar Polo Rosewood takes the top spot because of its fun patterns and streamlined collar that makes it a great base layer for suits and blazers.
It also comes with moisture-wicking properties and offers a classy and timeless build. It’s loved by hundreds of paying customers, and those testimonials carry a lot of weight, too.
FAQ
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Classic garments like polo shirts will never go out of style due to their versatility and comfortable fabric. They’re fit to wear for various occasions, whether formal or casual. They also come in a wide variety of colors and materials, each having its own characteristics that make them unique and desirable.
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Some of the top brands of polo shirts include Hugo Boss, Ralph Lauren, Old Navy, Gucci, Prada, Bauer, Lacoste, Calvin Klein, Nordstrom, Hanes, Puma, Nike, and Adidas. Each of these companies produces high-quality shirts using different natural and synthetic materials.
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There are luxury polo shirts that are priced over $100, while others offer affordable options made from synthetic materials. Polos often have minimal patterns and designs and rely more on collar construction, reinforced stitching, and intricate embroidery to determine their quality and pricing. Cost varies depending on a lot of different factors, so there’s no one set price across the board.
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Joe Niehaus is a freelance writer here at FashionBeans. His work can be found at Travel + Leisure, Men’s Health, Business Insider, and more. He loves traveling, a good meal from a local restaurant, and a quality white t-shirt.