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Polo Shirts: Wardrobe Must-Have for Men and Women

A very versatile top for men and women, polo shirts look great in the summer with a pair of shorts and equally stylish in the winter with long trousers. They have a small collar, several buttons down the neck and maybe a pocket to one side. First popularised by sports like golf and tennis, polo shirts have since become an iconic feature of modern couture thanks to brands like Ralph Lauren, Fred Perry and Paul Smith.

The First Polos

The first polo shirts are said to have been worn by British soldiers stationed in India during the 1800s. After watching a polo match among the locals, they opened their own Polo Club and began wearing buttoned-up shirts to avoid collars moving around as their horse galloped. The first commercial polo shirts were designed and sold by the tennis player and entrepreneur Rene Lacoste in the late 1920s. His brand (with its famous crocodile logo said to reflect his style of play) is still popular today, but it’s been joined on the polo shirt market by many other fashion retailers.

Which Fabric is Best?

If you’ve ever worn a polo shirt, you’ll have noticed that they tend to be made in a fabric that is different to that of a normal t-shirt. The material is usually knitted in a jersey or pique finish, but there are other options. Here’s a list of the main materials used to make polo shirts and the strengths of each.

• Jersey – Some people consider jersey to be the most comfortable fabric as it’s soft and smooth. These tops are usually a cheaper option, but quality versions can still look very smart. If you are looking for a cheap polo shirt that feels great on, jersey is a good choice.

• Piqué - Generally considered a more traditional type of polo shirt fabric, piqué has more texture, but it also feels heavier. The honeycombed weave allows it to breathe more than a jersey version, and it’s also more costly. If you’ll be wearing the shirt for sports or as part of a warm-weather outfit, piqué is a better idea as it will help keep you cool.

• Silk – The luxury choice, silk has a lustre and softness that you won’t find with any other material. It’s perfect for special occasions, but also strong and hypoallergenic. When only the best will do and you want a fabric that’s kind to your skin, go for a silk polo.

• Performance – Created for people who are serious about sport, performance polo shirts usually have UV protection and odour-reducing properties built in. They are lightweight, made with blended or synthetic materials, and come in a range of prices. They aren’t best suited for everyday use but will serve you well during a workout or sporting event.

Choosing the Right Size and Fit

A few well-fitted polo shirts will make a great addition to anyone's wardrobe and can be worn throughout out the year. As they have a structured appearance, finding the right size is important. Here are a few tips for selecting a good fit.

• Fitted without feeling tight – Polo shirts should fit close to the body, and have sleeves which finish between the elbow and shoulder. Tightness is to be avoided, so ensure you can put a finger between the sleeve and your skin. If there’s not enough room or if there’s too much loose material, choose a different shirt – fits do vary. If you will be wearing your polo shirt undone, go for a neckline that just reaches the top of your chest.

• The right length – Traditionally, polo shirts are cut to be longer at the back and shorter at the front. They do lend themselves well to being tucked in, but if you go for a more casual untucked look, the shirt should extend a few inches below your belt or waistline.

Most UK polo shirts for men are sized as small, medium, large and so on, though for women, the usual 10, 12, 14, 16, etc. sizing still applies. In addition, you can choose from four main styles, these are:

• Classic Fit – Ideal if you want a looser fit that gives you more room to move, classic polo shirts have a relaxed shape to cover the midriff. The armholes are usually lower on the shirt and the sleeves are also longer, giving you better overall coverage.

• Slim Fit – If you’ve got a sporty or slimline physique, this style of shirt won’t swamp your body. It usually has a higher hemline so it’s easier to wear it untucked.

• Tailored – Sitting somewhere between a slim and a classic fit, the tailored polo has a formal, modern edge. The sleeves are shorter and the armholes are higher up than with a classic polo. It will sit closer to your tummy but will usually have more length to the hem than the slim fit. These shirts can be worn with work suits to replace a button-down shirt or to update an evening ensemble.

• Regular – For days out, or as a chilled holiday staple, the regular-fit polo shirt is hard to beat. Comfortable and fluid when on, you’ll have more room inside this style. Wear with jeans or leggings for a laid-back, off-duty look.

Popular Polo Shirt Brands

Some brands have become synonymous with polo shirts. Each has a slightly different appeal, so you may need to shop around to find which one most suits you.

• Paul Smith – If you’re bored with polo shirts in muted shades, the Paul Smith collection of vibrant, summery tops will make a welcome change. They work well with denim or black shorts and come in a number of different fits so you can buy the best version for your shape.

• Lyle and Scott – You’ll find plenty of stand-out designs from Lyle and Scott, including bright colours, contrasted collars and stripes. These casual polo shirts provide a sporty look that’s ideal for weekends, nights out and time on the links.

• Fred Perry – An excellent choice if you’re after a simple yet smart look, Fred Perry polos have plenty of quality details like ribbed collars and cuffs. Both the men’s and women’s versions are finished in cotton, making for a comfortable fit. As a low-key top, these can be easily combined with different pieces of clothing to achieve a bold or relaxed result.

• Hackett – Known for its traditional British tailoring, Hackett has a wide selection of classic and slim-fit polo shirts. You can buy sporty shirts with the brand’s logo embroidered on the front, shirts with contrasting collars or designs which feature branding underneath the collar, ideal if you wear your collar up.

Lacoste: Timeless Polo Shirts

Details to Consider When Selecting a Polo Shirt

Not all polo shirts are created with the same attention to detail. Here are some of the smaller features that can make a difference.

• Collars – The collar is made of the same fabric as the rest of the shirt, but in some, there may be lining to create a sharper finish. As they are not designed to be worn with a tie, the focus of a polo shirt can be very much on the collar, so choose a shape that you like when it's both buttoned and unbuttoned.

• Pockets – Some people love the preppy look of a polo shirt with a pocket although these don’t really have any practical use. If you like the style, it’s worth buying one in a thicker fabric, to avoid the pocket eventually sagging.

• Buttons – Most polo shirts have two or three plastic buttons. If you want a more opulent finish, you can choose one with mother of pearl buttons, but these tend to be made by more expensive brands like Burberry.

Finding Cheap Polo Shirts Online and Offline

When you’re looking for a new polo shirt for men or for women online, you have plenty of choices. Some people will prefer specific brands like Ralph Lauren, Abercrombie & Fitch or Paul Smith, and if that’s the case, then it makes sense to shop with them directly. To see a wider selection of polo shirts in one place, browse through the pages of larger department stores like Debenhams, House of Fraser or Harvey Nichols. Many high-street clothing stores like Next, Matalan and Joules also stock their own range of polo shirts.

Annual sales in the Christmas, summer and spring periods always present an excellent opportunity to shop for cheap clothes. Online retailers like Amazon and eBay often have reductions on apparel as part of these events, as do stores like White Stuff and Fat Face. Each November on Black Friday you can pick up polo shirts at lower prices from shops across the UK which take part in the sale. In past years, H&M, Jack Wills and Lands’ End have advertised reductions of up to 55% on clothing.

Polo Shirts Offers at HotUKDeals

At HotUKDeals, we make it easy to find men’s and women’s polo shirts at the best prices. Every offer and deal is collected by our bargain hunting experts, then helpfully presented on a polo shirt page.