A Style Guide for Men’s Polo Shirts

Contrary to popular belief, the polo shirt that we recognise today was actually invented for tennis. In the 1920s, French tennis player Rene Lacoste wanted to design something more comfortable than the traditional long-sleeved button-up shirt. His marvellous invention? You guessed it: the polo shirt. The garment he created was a white pique cotton shirt with short sleeves and a slightly longer tail to prevent the shirt from untucking during a game.

By the 1930s, polo shirts were so popular that polo players adopted the innovative style en masse, and the term ‘polo shirt’ was born. Predictably, it wasn’t long before the polo shirt became popular in the celebrity world. Clint Eastwood, James Dean and Pharrell Williams have all earned style points with a little help from this reliable garment.

At Orlebar Brown we use only the highest quality materials and our eye for detail is second to none. It’s why we’re proud to be the polo shirt destination of choice for holidays and special occasions that call for something exceptional on your top half which is sleek, sophisticated, and above all fits perfectly.

Polo shirts are versatile by nature but choosing the right fit depends on the occasion and your personal taste. We have three hero styles that combine classic polo shirt tailoring with quintessential Orlebar Brown details you can’t find anywhere else.

The Sebastian is our form-fitting favourite. It has always been a bestseller, owing to the uniquely tailored details and streamlined silhouette. We’ve crafted the Sebastian polo shirt on the principles of a finely tailored men's shirt: smart two-part collar, shaped hem and sewn-on buttoned cuffs.

The Sebastian has an open, non-restrictive neckline and a shaped hem that can be worn untucked to elongate the torso. It’s a men’s polo shirt which is practical, flattering, and easy to wear. Choose from lithe, lightweight linen or indulge your whole upper body by picking a long sleeved Merino wool style.

Terry towelling is a texture which attracts attention for all the right reasons. While it may be soft and velvety smooth, Terry towelling gives off a boundless, brave energy. With just the right dose of unconventionality, our  Terry  towelling men’s polo shirt is the perfect poolside companion. The Terry has a retro-inspired resort placket, tailored silhouette, and side vents to retain shape when seated. The polo’s straight hem is also excellent for wearing untucked.

If, however, you do go for the full tuck-in then look no further than James Bond’s style in Dr. No (1962). Is Sean sporting a terry towelling polo shirt? Why, yes, yes he is.

Finally, meet the Jarrett – the easy going, laid-back younger brother to the Sebastian. The Jarrett polo shirt has a more relaxed fit than our other hero styles, with a short, simple two-button or smart zip placket. The robust ribbed collar offers a sporty accent that will take you straight from the court to the clubhouse.

Perfect for downtime, the Jarrett is a soft, luxurious piece with just a subtle hint of Grand Tour drama in the subtle striped detailing. A staple of your weekend wardrobe, whether you’re lounging on the Amalfi coast or holed up at home with a new hardback.

Terry Towelling

There’s something about terry towelling polo shirts that just works. Let us try and convince you: ‘Terry’ is derived from the French word ‘tirer’ meaning ‘to pull’. It refers to the tiny piled loops which were originally pulled by hand. These loops are highly absorbent and feel like velvet to the touch, garnering every terry towelling polo shirt just a slice of extra attention from style conscious eyes. Our Terry polo shirt boasts a lightweight form of towelling, making it the perfect piece to slip into after a dip in the water.

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Knitted Polo Shirts

If you need to elevate your evening attire but want to keep comfort a priority, then opt for an Orlebar Brown knitted polo shirt. Our Italian made Mallory has the open resort collar and tailored slim fit of a polo with the long sleeves and knitted construction of a refined silk jumper. Alternatively, opting for a knitted Merino polo is great for longer trips when you’re more likely to encounter multiple climates because Merino is moisture-wicking in hot weather and insulating when temperatures drop.

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Linen Polo Shirts

Linen is a material that we will always associate with holidays. Due to its absorbent qualities, linen is a great alternative to cotton when visiting warmer destinations. Linen is also highly durable and is less likely to irritate the skin due to its natural fibres. Our Sebastian polo shirt is available in a light linen knit, ideal for long days in the heat and balmy evenings by the water’s edge.

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Prints & Patterning

The holiday really starts when you slip on your favourite holiday polo shirt for the first lazy morning breakfast on the terrace. For us this is almost always something patterned or printed. We’ve tailored polo shirts with intricate prints, mellow breton details, and classic island life inspired stripes. You can choose to pair these details with lustrous terry towelling texture to start your holiday as you mean to go on – in laid back understated style.

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If you prefer more intricate detailing, opt for a contrast colour to offset the tip of the collar, placket, or cuff, inspired by the chic knitted polos of the 50s and 60s. These details, though subtle, add character to both your long sleeved polo shirts and your classic short sleeves without overpowering your outfit. Check out our  Haden and Horton men’s polo shirts to see the style come to life.

Donning a quality polo shirt is straightforward, but naturally, there are many ways to style it for different occasions and situations. The first big question is: are polo shirts smart-casual? The short answer is Yes. Sure, you can rely on a Jarrett to get you through a heated game of beach volleyball, but style our tailored Sebastian with a blazer, and you have yourself a fully formed smart-casual outfit. It’s for this very reason that polo shirts play such a central role in our wardrobes. Never underestimate the power of versatility.

Partner one of our Jarrett Washed polos—‘washed’ refers to the unique colour treatment—with navy Bulldog swim shorts. The ‘lived-in’ appearance of the soft cotton ties into your own laid-back beach aesthetic. Alternatively, if you’re off to the pool, pull on our classic Terry with its smooth towelling texture and wear untucked to show off the straight hem.

O.B Secret:  If you neatly turn up the sleeve of your Jarrett polo shirt while cooling off after a dip in the waves, you’ll create sharp shoulder definition which rarely goes unnoticed.

O.B Secret: Need to smarten up your polo shirt and day shorts combo in a hurry? Just tuck in your polo shirt, button the placket once, add a belt and congratulate yourself on upgrading your outfit to smart-casual in a matter of seconds.

Opt for the Sebastian's traditional two-part collar over a casual ribbed collar, and reach for chinos rather than shorts. Well done, you’re already well on your way to a smart outfit. Pair with a blazer and ensure the colour complements your chinos for a chic appearance. Alternatively, choose an open collar long sleeved polo shirt knitted in silk, cashmere, or Merino wool. The texture and tailoring are more refined and sophisticated, and the open collar is great for when the music in the bar turns your rhythmic foot-tap into something a little more intensive.

O. B Secret:  If you are ever unsure, opt for a classic colour palette. Match your white, cream, black or navy polo shirt with muted chinos or shorts and you can’t go wrong.

If you take just one note from our men’s polo shirt style guide then let it be this: choose a polo shirt that you’ll feel great in. When you feel comfortable, confidence will follow. Now if - as we hope we have done - we’ve answered all your polo shirt queries, then there’s only one thing left to do: browse the Orlebar Brown polo shirt collection and choose the pieces which you can’t wait to wear.