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The 10 best polo shirts

Some might say the only acceptable short-sleeved shirt for a man is a sporty one. These are the most stylish examples

Lee Holmes
Monday 29 April 2013 16:12 BST
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1. Christopher Raeburn

Christopher Raeburn is renowned for his intelligent eco-friendly designs. From outerwear made from recycled parachute silk to the unassuming polo shirt, nothing is too small for the designer’s deft touch. This grey and orange block colour polo made from jersey cotton is a great way to add colour to your outfit.

£128, doverstreetmarket.com

2. APC

You can rely on the cool French fashion label APC to design a polo shirt that’s both understated and covetable. Wearing this baby-blue top requires little thought – just throw it on with your favourite pair of jeans.

£70, apc.fr

3. Raf Simons for Fred Perry

The British label Fred Perry is already recognised for its successful designer collaborations and the company’s work with the Belgian designer Raf Simons is just part of its ongoing achievement. This is one of the stand-out pieces for the summer and certainly not for the faint of heart.

£130, thecorner.com

4. Y3

The collaboration between the designer Yohji Yamamoto and the sportswear label Adidas has grown from strength to strength since its inception in 2003. Recognised for its quirky take on athletic wear the monotony of this black polo shirt is broken up by the vivid floral print, which, incidentally, is a huge trend in menswear.

£155, thecorner.com

5. Sunspel

Owning a stripy polo shirt is a given for most of us. This is a tasteful take on this classic top. Made from 100 per cent cotton the cut of the top is slim, making it perfect for those smart-casual occasions.

£80, sunspel.com

6. Gap

The polo shirt is a popular choice for men of any age; the style never seems to date. But it can be given a new lease of life with the addition of a print or pattern. This polka-dot version from Gap will appeal to a younger market.

£19.95 gap.eu

7. Valentino

Like it or not, the camouflage trend is back. It’s not the easiest of prints to wear, so if it is your cup or tea then perhaps head down the designer label route for a more tasteful affair.

£220, thecorner.com

8. Jack Spade

This is a fantastic polo from the American label Jack Spade. Made from 100 per cent cotton, the tailored silhouette is a flattering shape. Wear with chinos and your bashed-up Jack Purcell’s for the ultimate in preppy chic.

£55, 020 7734 4768

9. Reiss

The 1971 range from Reiss is aimed at a more fashion conscious customer, a customer who won’t shy away from a pop of colour such as this red polo shirt. Although the knitted fabric has an old school 1950s’ feel the neon yellow tipping gives an extra modern touch.

£69, reissonline.com

10. Matalan

Every year the tried and tested nautical stripe is a hot weather staple and there’s nothing at all wrong with that. Here, this Matalan polo breaks up the navy stripe with cream colour blocking.

£16, matalan.co.uk

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