One of these and you will look like a prince © Hackett

Every man should have a good polo t shirt in his wardrobe. Not the £4.99 ones from a supermarket, but a nice designer polo t shirt. Why? Here’s why!

1 – You can look smart but casual at the same time. Ok. So smart casual isn’t exactly hard to come by, but the collar on a polo t shirt gives it that extra edge of smartness over a normal t shirt and an extra casualness over a shirt. Simple eh?

2 – No one wears polo t shirts. Take a look around a club and you’ll see people in t shirts or shirts, but very few in polo t shirts. You don’t want to be one of the crowd do you? Why look like everyone else when you can spend £50 on a good polo t shirt and look individual and cool?

3 – A polo t shirt can be more versatile than you think - whether you want to look like toff like Prince Harry in Hackett, or cool like Justin Timberlake in Abercrombie and Fitch.

4 – Girls love polo t shirts. I don’t know if it’s ‘cos they’re a bit smart, or because they look like rugby jerseys, but whenever blokes bring their girlfriends into my shop, more often than not they leave with a polo t shirt. And that can’t hurt, can it guys?

5 – Because I say so! I sell clothes for a living, I know what I’m talking about and I say you should buy one. Go on. What are you waiting for?

Peter

Rated: from 3666 votes

flickr © kiddo

Are you someone who can’t mention Burberry without talking about the familiar place in chav fashion? Well I’ve got news for you - there is still some Burberry that it’s ok to wear.

I’ve got no idea how the beige tartan became the uniform of choice for small-town teenagers and gangs of lads, but there is more to Burberry than that. It’s got some similar drawbacks to Lacoste that I blogged

© Burberry

about earlier, mainly that it’s got quite an old target audience. They do some decent clothes though – a bit country gent but it also great quality. For instance, what about a Burberry polo shirt?

Take this season’s short sleeve polo shirt with bold grey and coloured stripes and 3-button collar. It’s not trying to be trendy, but it’s a quality garment. I wouldn’t choose to wear it and at £75 it’s a bit steep, but I’m not the target market am I?

The Burberry polo shirt proves that there’s life in the company yet, and they’re still an option for posh casualwear that’s smart enough for the country set.

And what’s more, there’s no beige tartan in site, which is a good thing! It was perfect for ladies in the 1950s but I think for people like you and me, it’s out of bounds for the next 10 years at least.

Peter

Rated: from 2943 votes

flickr © wonderferret

All the talk of the new Bond film Quantum of Solace has reminded me about Daniel Craig and his love of polo t shirts. Personally I think Daniel Craig is as far away from a good Bond as you can get. Casino Royale was a good movie but I think he’s more of a scowling poser than a charismatic gentleman-spy. But then what do I know, I grew up with Timothy Dalton as Bond.

© Sunspel

Anyway, when he wasn’t wearing skimpy shorts or a sharp suit, Craig spent a lot of Casino Royale dressed in a classic blue polo t shirt from Sunspel. As a fitted polo t shirt, it was developed for the Italian market in the 1950s. This makes it timeless and he wears a tight fitting version that makes his arms look strong and broadens his chest. Of course it helps if you’ve spent 6 months working out for 4 hours a day with a personal trainer.

I bet Daniel Craig just wears what the wardrobe department tells him to, but the person in charge certainly knows their stuff. Bond is a great barometer for quality, dignified clothing, and this is no exception. You’d never see him in a shell suit or trackie bottoms, but he can still do effortless casual wear. You can get a Sunspel polo t shirt for under £60, but if you are struggling to find the exact Sunspel polo t shirt there are similar versions out in the shops now.

Peter

Rated: from 2545 votes

© Ben Sherman

Polo t shirts seem to have it all - you can wear them as casual or semi formal, and they’re far more unusual and adaptable than plain t shirts. But they are a minefield!

How come? Well you’re only a step away from looking like a US college boy.

Wear a polo t shirt under a v neck sweater or a blazer and you’ll look like an extra from Beverly Hills 90210. It’s a bad look, trust me! And please don’t pop your collar either because polo t-shirts with the collars turned up are strictly for frat boys. There was a trend in the UK a couple of years ago for popping the collar, and it should stay in the past.

If you follow these few simple rules though, it means you’ll be able to benefit from some really nice polo t shirts this season. Ben Sherman do a good range of casual polo t shirts but I’d never stock Ben Sherman because, well, I’m a snob. My favourite polo t shirt at the moment though is a nice black one from Diesel – it’s understated but trendy, modest but cool, and you can wear it to the club, to work, and look effortlessly fresh - and nothing like a fratboy.

Peter

Rated: from 2384 votes

© Fruit of the Loom

If you’re seeking fantastic quality and great value for money in a t shirt, then you need look no further than Fruit of the Loom.

Fruit of the Loom is a company we all know well, and you can treat yourself to their fabulous T shirts at prices you can afford on many websites or on any high street in the country. And even better, in addition to their great t shirts, polos and sweats Fruit of the Loom do a brilliant range of men’s and women’s underwear.

Established as long ago as 1851 in Rhode Island, USA, Fruit of the Loom has a reputation for quality design and manufacture using only the finest cotton. Fruit of the Loom believes that nothing rivals pure natural cotton as a material for t shirts or any other item worn next to the skin. And when you try on their t shirts or underwear, and experience the luxurious feel of the fresh natural cotton against your body, you’ll understand why.

And because of their long experience and efficient high tec manufacturing processes, Fruit of the Loom is able to offer their prime quality t shirts, sweats, polos and underwear at really down to earth prices.

Peter

Rated: from 2438 votes

© Timberland

Famous for the quality and durability of its products, and having a worldwide reputation second to none, Timberland is particularly proud of its Timberland Pro range of clothing and footwear.

The Timberland Pro series has been developed specifically for working professionals who need comfort, protection and durability in their workaday lives and demand the most from their clothing.

For people working in demanding environments and harsh conditions, Timberland Pro is designed and rigorously tested to come though any challenge.

The range of Timberland Pro t shirts fits well with this belief system and the range is breathtaking, from pure cotton, though cotton mix, to Coolmax®, the performance fabric that has been helping top athletes push harder and longer but is now being discovered for the cool comfort it brings to everyday men’s fashion clothing.

In a range of styles, including long sleeve, short sleeve and polo t shirt, the Timberland Pro range will have something to suit you, whether for work or play.

Peter B

Rated: from 2874 votes

© Replay

As a cross between a straightforward t shirt and a men’s fashion shirt, you can’t beat a polo t shirt. The collar adds just that little extra something, and means that a polo t shirt is wearable across a whole new range of activities.

© Quicksilver

I have a whole host of plain polo t shirts in my wardrobe, but I really do like one by Replay that I came across this weekend and I’m sure will prove very popular to those looking for that little extra in a polo t shirt.

In a denim blue, 100% machine-washable cotton for feel, wearability and durability, the Replay polo t shirt strikes a bold new note in that it has frayed edges and a large and very distinctive motif across the shoulders – quite unusual on this type of men’s fashion.

You’ll certainly be the style-setter among your group with the Replay motif polo t shirt, frayed edges and all!

Peter

Rated: from 2673 votes