My Hunt for a Short-Sleeved Navy Polo That Really Fits
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Polo shirts are appealing for their simplicity. They’re casual when you need them to be but can be easily dressed up with a blazer or lightweight V-neck cardigan. I own a few in black and gray in cotton piqué, as well as a few sweater versions. But it wasn’t until last year, when I took another look at the navy cotton-piqué polo from J.Crew, that I concluded that that combination is the best of all.
A navy piqué polo is the most versatile for a few reasons: (1) Navy is a neutral and goes with everything, (2) it doesn’t stain as easily as white and keeps you cooler in warmer temperatures than black does, and (3) the slightly bumpy piqué texture gives the cotton fabric both structure and breathability. It’s also easy to wash and hang dry. Piqué is what tennis players actually used to play in because of its ventilating capabilities, before all the new technology-driven synthetics took over the courts.
As with a lot of my menswear staples —canvas sneakersandoxford shirts, for example — I tend to go down a rabbit hole to find better versions of the thing I already have. For my hunt for navy polos, my criteria were that it had to be piqué knit, have a collar that keeps its structure, fit closely through the chest and stomach, have a sleeve length that covers half my bicep, and be able to be worn untucked. While I included some polos made out of cotton-polyester blends, I’ve found that I prefer 100 percent cotton. I generally wear a men’s size small and got all the polos here in that size except where noted. Below, you’ll find all of the navy polos I tried.
My top picks
The ones that didn’t quite cut it
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This polo from the JW Anderson collection is nice for the price, but I don’t love that it’s 28 percent polyester, which feels a bit scratchy on my skin. I had to size up to a medium because the small was sold out, which explains why the fit is a bit oversize throughout the body. The arms also don’t quite hug my biceps the way I would want a polo to. The collar holds its structure and doesn’t flap around, which is always a plus, as I don’t like my polo collars to curl up, especially because I leave one or two buttons undone depending on the placket. (Buttons on a placket are determined by the front opening and spacing and how many can actually fit — with the usual spacing between buttons being around three to four inches.)
[Editor’s note: The navy polo the author tested is no longer available, so we’ve linked to a white-tippednavyversion instead. There’s also ablackversion.]
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I like that Old Navy’s polo comes in every color, size, and fit imaginable; however, this is another one that has polyester (40 percent). This makes the fabric feel less breathable, and the sleeves were a bit too tight on my arms.
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The stretch version from Quince is a good option for people who want to exercise in their polos. Quince’s version is 100 percent recycled polyester in a piqué knit, and feels like a Nike Dri-FIT tee. The fit in the body and arms is decent, but the collar is a bit wider than I would like.
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Several brands continue to put stretch in garments that aren’t meant for activewear, and Gap has done this with its polo. There’s 2 percent elastane in this, which isn’t even noticeable — so why not make it 100 percent cotton? The collar length should also be longer, and the collar flails out when worn undone.
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It’s hard to tell from L.A. Apparel’s website, but this polo is made primarily from a soft, washed-down, garment-dyed jersey fabric. The fit is longer in the arms with a shorter hem at the waistline, which resembles a boxy, cropped tee. The only piqué on it is on the collar — a big detraction for me.
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I love the feel of the J. Press shirt, which is 100 percent cotton, and the tonal embroidered logo; however, the polo is a bit too long for me. I went with my usual small, but what I’ve learned from the brand’s oxford shirts is that the “classic fit” will be fuller through the body and is meant to be tucked in.
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This is what I imagine my navy polos will look and feel like after wearing them for many years. I like earning the patina myself, but Alex Mill’s garment-washed version does all the work for you. The 100 percent cotton is soft, but the fit is more relaxed, and the sleeves don’t quite hug my biceps — which is what I look for in polos.
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I like the faded navy of this polo, but the fit is way too slim for me — and I’m fairly slim myself. The chest area feels a bit constricting, the sleeves are too tight, and the placket is too long, with four buttons instead of the usual two or three. You should definitely size up in this one.
The winners
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I think this is the best polo you can buy for under $50. It’s 100 percent cotton piqué throughout and has a regular-to-classic fit. I’ve been reaching for this one more than the others; it washes well while keeping its original fit and feel, compared to other affordable options that can be ruined (pilling, shrinking, etc.) after two washes.
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This has been my most-worn polo, as I’ve had it since spring of last year. I’ve worn it countless times and have hung it to dry after washing. While it feels a bit stiff after drying, it softens again after each wear. J.Crew has three fit options — classic, slim, and tall — and I have the classic in a size small. The sleeves and body fit well without feeling too snug, and the collar lies down even after washing.
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Lacoste Classic Fit Original L.12.12 Polo
I have to admit to being influenced by the stylist and fashion director ofL’EtiquetteMagazine,Gauthier Borsarello, who buys only the “Made in France” versions of the Lacoste polo (along with the long-sleeved version); I now understand the obsession. For a brand that invented the polo shirt 93 years ago, it’s still the best one. The tightly woven piqué is actually the most breathable out of all the ones on the list, and the sleeves hug my biceps perfectly without feeling like they’re cutting off my circulation. The mother-of-pearl buttons are also more heavy-duty compared to the buttons on the other polos. I’m already eyeing a navy long-sleeved version of this to wear for fall.
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I know this isn’t a shocker, but this has been another polo I’ve enjoyed wearing. The piqué knit is a bit thicker than the Lacoste one, and it has more of a relaxed fit compared to the Lacoste. As with all the other polos except Uniqlo’s, I opted for a small in the classic fit, and it worked out for me.
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