From Court to Cocktails: The Best Luxury Polo Shirt Brands For Men

A polo shirt bridges the tricky gap between smart and casual better than almost anything else. It’s sharper than a T-shirt, less formal than a button-up, and blends in seamlessly with either in most social settings. But let’s be honest – not all polo shirts are created equal.

If you’re eyeing something more elevated, you’ve probably come across the term ‘luxury’ polo shirt. But is it worth shelling out for, or just another marketing ploy? The answer, as ever, depends – and this guide aims to make things a little clearer.

Yes, there are plenty of designers slapping their logo on a basic polo and charging triple for the privilege. However, some brands produce genuinely superior versions, featuring better fabrics, fits and construction.

Here, we break down what sets the best apart – and highlight the names delivering true luxury where it counts.

What Makes A Polo Shirt ‘Luxury’?

So, how do you know what you’re looking at is the real deal, and not just a piece of overpriced, mass-produced rubbish with a fancy name on the label?

In our opinion, there are four markers of a true luxury item, and if you can tick the majority (or, better still, all of them) off, you’re probably onto a winner.

Materials

Luca Faloni

When it comes to clothes, luxury begins with the fabric. The finest materials are expensive for brands to acquire, so they are typically reserved for higher-ticket items.

When it comes to polos, this might mean a cashmere blend or extra-fine merino instead of simple pique cotton. This is where it can be useful to physically get your hands on a garment, as if the material really is premium, you’ll be able to tell by how it feels in your hand.

Craftsmanship

Luca Faloni

Closely related is craftsmanship. True luxury items are made in smaller batches, allowing those making them to take extra time and pay their full attention to each garment.

Often, this ties in with where the product is made. While it’s true that Asian factories are capable of producing extremely high-quality items, there’s a reputation attached to places like Italy, France and the UK when it comes to certain types of clothing and accessories.

These are countries where labour is more expensive and manufacturing facilities are fewer and farther between, which means much higher price tags.

Brand Heritage

Velasca

While whose name is on the label isn’t always a reliable indicator of quality, it certainly can be. Some brands are renowned for their rich histories of producing high-quality garments or utilising the finest materials.

These reputations have been built over centuries in some cases, and that’s what you pay for.

Price

The Resort Co

A sky-high price isn’t automatically indicative of a luxury garment, but it plays a part. You won’t find a true luxury polo shirt being sold for peanuts, so a higher-than-average price point is certainly one of the ways in which these pieces differentiate themselves from the rest.

That said, it’s essential to consider the cost in relation to the other factors mentioned above. If it ticks all of the boxes, it could be a good investment in the long run.

The Best Luxury Polo Shirt Brands For Men

Luca Faloni

Made-in-Italy menswear is the name of the game at Luca Faloni. The brand specialises in elevated fabrics, such as linen, cashmere and merino, and the aesthetic is timeless, elegant and understated.

If you want a simple polo executed to perfection, these are the guys to turn to.

Shop now at Luca Faloni

Velasca

Another Italian brand with a strong focus on quality materials and craftsmanship is Velasca. A footwear brand first and foremost, Velasca’s range has expanded over the years to include everything from tailoring to some of the finest polo shirts money can buy.

The brand partners with some of the finest artisans in the country to produce its garments, and polo shirts are no exception.

Shop now at Velasca

The Resort Co.

The Resort Co. is a Swedish brand offering a tightly curated collection of (you guessed it) resortwear and beach-friendly basics. Think swim shorts, polos and jazzy patterned camp collar button-ups.

There’s a strong focus on quality, so expect prices to reflect that, with polo shirts starting at around £120 and reaching up to £200.

Shop now at The Resort Co.

Frescobol Carioca

Born on the beaches of Rio de Janeiro, Frescobol Carioca is a brand that knows its way around a laid-back summer wardrobe. The vibe is very much beach to bar, but think more superyacht-packed marinas than downtrodden surf shacks.

Polo shirts, obviously, make up a core part of the tightly curated seasonal range. Expect knitted fabrics, tastefully executed patterns and just the right amount of playfulness.

Shop now at MR PORTER

Derek Rose

You might know British label Derek Rose as a nightwear specialist first and foremost, but there’s more to this brand than bathrobes and expensive boxer briefs.

The full range includes a number of elevated off-duty essentials, including polo shirts made from premium fabrics and presented in tailored (but comfortable) cuts.

Shop now at Derek Rose

Brunello Cucinelli

If your house doesn’t have turrets, you can probably keep scrolling past this one. Brunello Cucinelli’s prices are not for the faint of heart. Even simple wardrobe staples like tees and polos will set you back more than your average package holiday.

But if you’re the type of guy who likes exclusivity when it comes to clothing, it’s one of the key names to know. Known for its fine Italian cashmere fabrics, it elevates everyday items to the absolute pinnacle of what they can be.

Shop now at Farfetch

John Smedley

Knitted polos are a great way to add a bit of texture to your summer outfits, and few do them better than John Smedley.

Remember, this is a brand with a long history of dressing James Bond, so if it’s rakish appeal and a timeless aesthetic you’re after, look no further.

Shop now at Farfetch

Loro Piana

In a similar vein to Brunello Cucinelli, Loro Piana is another Italian cashmere specialist that produces a full range of ultra-high-end menswear for the wealthiest individuals.

It’s one of the names most commonly associated with the ‘quiet luxury’ trend, thanks to its aversion to in-your-face branding, exorbitant prices and high-quality materials. Polo shirts come in various forms, but if you’re after a cashmere long-sleeve version, you can expect to pay north of £1,000.

Shop now at MR PORTER