CHANCES are, you already have one or two polo shirts in your wardrobe.
The menswear essential has been around for decades and has long been a go-to for those after something slightly smarter than a T-shirt yet more relaxed and comfortable than a traditional collared shirt.
But have you considered a long sleeve polo? Still boasting the familiar soft collar, buttoned quarter placket and lightweight, breathable cotton or wool fabric, long-sleeve polos are a tad sharper still, and represent an excellent long-sleeve alternative to the classic sporty staple.
From how to wear them to the best long-sleeved polo shirts on the market, here’s everything you need to know about this underrated potential addition to your rotation.
Best long sleeve polo shirts at a glance:
- Best budget option: Fruit of the Loom
- Best luxury option: Suitsupply
- Best value option: Next
- Best minimalist option: John Lewis
- Best statement option: M&S
Joules
- Joules rugby shirt, from £34.82 – buy here
Made with bold green and blue stripes, which are extra large for a block colour look, this long sleeve polo owes its design to the rugby pitch.
Based on old-school rugby jerseys, which would bear the colours of the respective school or team, this is a classic, durable shirt that would effortlessly spice up your casualwear.
Made from a soft 100% cotton, it comes with a regular fit, a contrasting white collar and a three-button placket, for a simple, timeless look.
Try yours with light-wash jeans, a baseball cap and your favourite pair of trainers.
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Fruit of the Loom
9- Fruit of the Loom long-sleeve polo shirt, from £12.11 – buy here
You might be familiar with the brand’s T-shirts, but Fruit of the Loom makes incredible-value polo shirts as well.
This is one of the brand’s basic designs, and it’s available in all manner of shades, from black and white to green and red. Ideal as a day-to-day piece, we’d recommend going for one in classic navy.
This incredibly versatile colour has been rendered in the brand’s 100% cotton fabric, which is lightweight and soft against the skin.
Easy to dress up or down, combine it with black jeans, white sport socks and a pair of Clarks Wallabees, and you can’t go wrong.
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M&S
- Carnegie Pure Cotton Rugby, £35 – buy here
Part of M&S’s Originals range, this long sleeve polo features a unique colour-blocked design that incorporates yellow, cream, blue, green and orange.
Boasting plenty of colour and a playful denim collar, it’s also constructed using a 25% recycled cotton fabric, making it more responsibly made than many other designs.
Lacoste
- Long Sleeve Embroidered Polo Shirt, £105 – buy here
Lacoste has a legitimate claim to being the first producer of the polo shirt, thanks to its early 20th-century designs that were worn by eponymous founder Rene Lacoste on the tennis court.
The French brand continues to make them in much the same way, with the brand’s trademark pique cotton and instantly recognisable logo at the chest.
This long-sleeved version, finished in white, is both stylish and incredibly easy to wear.
John Lewis
- Supima Cotton Long Sleeve Jersey Polo Shirt, £40 – buy here
If you’re after a polo you can dress up or down, consider this one by John Lewis.
Crafted from a lightweight Supima cotton, it comes with a simple collar, long sleeves and is finished in black.
Try it with denim jeans and sneakers, or wear it tucked into tailored trousers and leather shoes.
Charles Tyrwhitt
- Long Sleeve Polo Collar Sweatshirt, £29.95 – buy here
For its own take on the long sleeve polo, Charles Tyrwhitt has gone for a sportswear-inspired cotton jersey fabric, which has a fleece-like texture on the rear for impressive comfort against the skin.
Finished in a rich green shade, try it with navy chinos and Desert boots for a sleek weekend look.
Suit Supply
- Navy Long Sleeve Polo Shirt, £59 – buy here
Noted for its slim fit and luxurious Californian Supima cotton, this Suit Supply polo works as well with the brand’s unstructured tailoring as it does denim jeans and loafers.
It comes in a deep blue shade and boasts real mother-of-pearl buttons for an opulent edge.
Ralph Lauren
- Stripe rugby polo, £159 – buy here
Ralph Lauren has long produced a wide range of polo shirts, with its striped rugby shirts proving especially popular for their soft-yet-durable fabrics and huge variety of colourways.
This one is finished in a classic combination of yellow and navy blue and comes complete with the brand’s contrasting Polo logo at the chest.
Next
- Knitted Polo Shirt, £28 – buy here
Season after season, Next continues to design and produce a wide range of staples, with its shirts and polos, particularly impressive.
This knitted polo is made from a soft cotton blend fabric and comes finished in an adaptable light grey shade.
It’s easy to style, whether you dress it up with tailored trousers or down with jeans and trainers.
Things to look out for
Fabric
Long sleeve polos are generally made from a few different kinds of fabrics. The sportiest, and perhaps the one you’ll be most familiar with, is pique cotton. This is the same fabric used for regular polos, the kind made famous by Lacoste and Fred Perry.
Pique cotton was developed for use on the tennis courts, where the polo originated, and continues to offer a great balance of light weight, breathability and comfort.
For something a bit smarter, consider a long sleeve-knitted polo. These are usually made from cotton or light wool and have a smoother texture that looks slightly sharper in appearance. Knitted polos are great for wearing with smart casual looks, and are an ideal alternative to wearing instead of a collared shirt.
Colour and pattern
Long sleeve polos are most commonly found in solid colours. If you want maximum versatility and ease of wear, navy, black or grey are the obvious choices.
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These staple shades will go with practically anything in your wardrobe and can be combined with neutrals like stone or beige, or other dark colours.
You can get long sleeve polos in brighter shades though like red, orange or green if you want to make more of a statement. Alternatively, look for a polo in a striped pattern for a bolder look, which references classic rugby shirts.
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