A well-made polo is easily one of the most versatile shirts in a man’s wardrobe.
A style staple that’s been around for nearly a century now, the right one can take you damn near anywhere:
From casual weekend errands to important first dates, from the patio to the office, and (perhaps most importantly for a middle-aged gracefully maturing gentleman like myself) from your 20s all the way through to your 60s, if you know how to wear ‘em.
The challenge is knowing where to find one.
Over the years, I’ve bought far more polos than I care to confess (especially to my wife), and found one thing to be true above all else: price alone tells you very little.
Some affordable brands produce excellent polos that hold up surprisingly well, while some premium brands charge a small fortune for shirts that fit poorly, look funny or start to fray after just a few wears.
To help you get the most bang for your buck, I’ve rounded up my favorite brands that make polos in the modern-classic style I recommend, organized by the type of polo they do best.
Polished & Sophisticated
The Tie Bar
From Their Website ↓
From My iPhone ↓
Most guys know The Tie Bar for, well, ties.
But over the last few years they’ve quietly become one of my favourite sources for menswear basics, including some surprisingly strong polo shirts.
While there’s a lot to like here, what I appreciate most is that their designs evoke the Old Money look while consistently remaining on the right side of the modern-classic line.
The fits are trim without being restrictive, the styling is clean without being boring and the colors tend to be versatile enough to work with the rest of your wardrobe.
They’re particularly strong when it comes to sweater polos, which give off a real “luxury brand” vibe without the (bloated and hard to justify) price tag that usually comes with them.
Bonobos
Bonobos basically built its whole reputation on the idea that most menswear doesn’t actually fit real bodies, and while the company has changed hands a few times in recent years, its obsession with fit hasn’t faded.
I’m relatively obsessed with fit myself, and have always been impressed by the way Bonobos’ overall aesthetic matches so closely with my modern-meets-classic philosophy.
Fabric-wise, they’ve quietly become one of the more versatile options out there.
Their stretch pique polos are a great everyday go-to, but it’s the sweater polos and garment-dyed styles that really nail the modern-classic vibe. Some look a little textured, some a little lived-in, and almost all of them offer an intentional look that elevates them above most plain ol’ polos.
They also have a pretty wide array of performance polos for the golf-adjacent crowd that are sharp enough to wear in social and professional settings. I could have added them to the “Stretchy & Sweat-Wicking” category below, but I think their style and overall aesthetic merits inclusion up here.
Quince
Better known for women’s clothes and home goods, Quince’s name may not immediately spring to mind when you think of menswear.
But their “luxury for less” ethos and timeless designs make them a great fit for the modern-meets-classic aesthetic, and a lot of people swear by their products.
Quince’s designs tend to be clean, understated and versatile, with an emphasis on quality fabrics rather than flashy details or trend-driven styling.
They’re also a great source for merino wool and luxury knit polos, both of which punch well above their price point.
Their polos consistently look more refined than most options in the same price range, making them a great choice for guys who prioritize value without sacrificing style.
(And, again, “luxury for less” is their whole pitch. So in a lot of cases, you’re getting materials and finishes that would cost significantly more from traditional premium brands.)
Banana Republic
From Their Website ↓
From My iPhone ↓
If I had to pick one mainstream menswear brand that consistently understands the modern-classic aesthetic, Banana Republic would be near the top of the list.
They’ve been blending timeless menswear staples with modern fits, fabrics and styling for years now, and in general their stuff threads the needle between feeling current without becoming too trendy.
Not surprisingly, their polo selection is usually quite strong. Most seasons, you’ll find elevated fabrics, refined silhouettes and color palettes that tends to lean toward versatile, sophisticated tones over loud seasonal trends.
They’re not the cheapest option on the market, but they’re also far from the most expensive. And because the quality is generally a step above what you’ll find at most mall brands, I think they offer solid value for the money.
If your goal is to build a wardrobe filled with pieces that look just as good five years from now as they do today (and it absolutely should be), Banana tends to be one of the safest bets.
Great for Everyday Errands
Mott & Bow
Mott & Bow originally made its name selling premium jeans, but it’s quietly become one of my favorite sources for elevated basics.
Their approach is refreshingly straightforward: clean designs, comfortable fabrics and timeless styling that works with just about everything else in your wardrobe.
They aren’t trying to reinvent menswear or chase the latest trends, they’re just trying to make everyday essentials look and feel better.
And that philosophy carries over nicely to their polos, which feature a minimalist aesthetic that’s simple, but not sloppy.
To be clear, these aren’t the polos you should reach for if you’re looking for something to pair with dress pants and a sharp pair of loafers.
But their perfect for pairing with jeans and white sneakers for a polished, go-anywhere uniform.
Fresh Clean Threads
From Their Website ↓
From My iPhone ↓
This is another good place to turn if you want to stock up on smart casual staples.
Formerly known as Fresh Clean Tees, they originally built their business on just one product, a timeless, damn-near-perfect fitting t-shirt.
They’ve since expanded into a wider variety of staple pieces, but their polos follow the same formula as their tees, offering clean styling, classic colors and a fit that’s refreshingly consistent from one shirt to the next.
That consistency is one of their biggest strengths.
Once you know which size fits you, ordering additional colors or replacing a well-worn favorite is about as close to a no-brainer as online shopping gets.
(Which is especially valuable when you’re trying to build a capsule wardrobe instead of constantly hunting for the next great find.)
Old Navy
From Their Website ↓
From My iPhone ↓
If you’re surprised to see Old Navy on this list, I promise: I’m even more surprised to be including it.
But as a dad with two young kids, I often find myself worried that I can’t wear my “nice” clothes on the weekends, because they’re just going to get stretched, ripped or stained with all manner of substances (grass, pasta sauce, chocolate milk—the threats are myriad).
So I was both surprised and delighted to find that Old Navy, which is definitely not a brand that usually springs to mind when I think of modern-classic style, often has a handful of polos that combine an elevated look with common fabrics that I can easily throw in the washing machine without having to worry about it.
Of course, it’s still Old Navy—a lot of what they offer isn’t really in line with the modern-classic aesthetic. But if you’re willing to spend a little time separating the wheat from the chaff, you can uncover some surprisingly solid polos at prices that are difficult to beat.
Over the past few years I’ve found some great styles there, including sweater polos with interesting textures, Johnny collars and basic pique polos that have tipping (thin lines of color, usually white) on the collar and sleeves, all of which help distinguish them from most polos at this price point.
Sharp Style + Stretchy & Sweat-Wicking
Mizzen + Main
Another aspect of dad life is constantly chasing after kids, which is why I frequently find myself reaching for clothes made from stretch fabrics…
…and lamenting the fact that the phrase “performance polo” tends to be synonymous with shiny synthetic fabrics that make you look like the assistant manager at your local pro shop.
Mizzen + Main is one of the few brands that’s managed to break out of that mould, combining technical fabrics that prioritize comfort with styles that work well outside of the golf course.
Their polos are lightweight, breathable, moisture-wicking and packed with stretch, but still manage to look like proper menswear rather than athletic gear.
State & Liberty
From Their Website ↓
From My iPhone ↓
Another brand that manages to merge polish and performance, State & Liberty made its name by creating well-cut suits with a ton of stretch that look more like traditional menswear than modern “stretch suits.”
Like Mizzen + Main, their polos are made with stretchy, wrinkle-resistant materials that move with you throughout the day while still maintaining a clean, polished appearance.
But State & Liberty tends to have more of a classic, old-school aesthetic, giving them kind of an Old-Money-meets-modern-tech vibe that I really appreciate.
One thing to note here:
The company markets many of its clothes as being designed for athletic builds, but don’t let that scare you away if your physique is a little more dad bod than demigod.
I certainly don’t have the body of a professional athlete, but I’ve found their polos fit me quite well.
Sometimes clothes that have an “athletic cut” can be kind of restrictive, especially around my not-so-pro midsection, but the stretch fabrics they use do a good job of accommodating different body types without looking too tight or overly baggy.
