What is a polo shirt?

Polo t-shirts for men typically feature short sleeves and a polo collar. In traditional styles – popular since the 19th century – the collar has a placket neckline and two or three buttons. Nowadays, there’s more variety. Expect those with stripes or all over prints, long-sleeved rugby polos, and open collar styles too.

The different styles of polo shirt

Our Scotch and Soda polo shirts are typically made from 100% cotton. The thickness of this cotton depends on the individual style. For example, a polo t-shirt will usually be lightweight and therefore great for summer or layering in winter. Rugby polos are made from a thicker cotton and often feature long sleeves with elasticated cuffs. This makes them great for winter days and cool summer evenings.

Plain polos for men

Our plain polo shirts are available in every colour imaginable. Expect everything from summery pinks and teals to classic black and white styles with contrast collar and sleeve detailing. It’s also worth having a few block colour polos in your arsenal as they’re super easy to pair with men’s coats and jackets in the winter and men’s shorts and sandals in the summer.

Printed polo shirts for men

After something a little more eye-catching than a plain polo? A printed polo is probably the answer. If you’re looking for something bright and fun that’ll keep you warm, consider a colour block rugby styled polo with sports-inspired contrast artwork. Or if you’re looking for something fun for the summer, check out our short sleeved polos with mini prints, logo detailing and contrast cuffs and collars.

Rugby polos

As mentioned, rugby polos are generally long-sleeved with elasticated cuffs. As they’re sports inspired, they often feature embroidered logos, block stripes and contrast polo collars. For a classic style, look for retro-inspired designs with a snap button collar in either subtle colourways or contrast blocks. Not sure what shoes to wear with a rugby polo? Keep it sporty with some men’s sneakers or go smart casual with a pair of loafers.

Why are polo shirts longer in the back?

As the name suggests, Polo shirts were originally used by Polo players. To make sure the back didn’t untuck and become uncomfortable when riding, the designers extended the back. This meant it was able to be tucked properly, and most importantly, stay tucked. While the sport Polo is not as common as it used to be, the shirts have stuck around. That’s why you’ll find some with longer backs and some which replicate more traditional men’s jumpers.

What shoes to wear with polo shirts?

One of the greatest aspects of polo shirts is how easily they can dressed up or down. If you’re looking for a smart casual style, consider pairing your polo shirt with some suede loafers and skinny jeans. If you fancy a more relaxed style, a pair of men’s sneakers and denim shorts matched up with a classic polo tee will do the trick.