The Best Polo Shirt Brands For Every Budget

The Best Polo Shirt Brands For Every Budget

Why polos are a wardrobe essential

A good polo sits neatly between a T-shirt and a shirt. It looks sharper than a crew neck, yet still feels relaxed, making it perfect for work, weekends, travel, and smart casual dressing.

How to choose the right polo for your budget

If you spend a little more, you usually get better fabric, stronger collars, and a shape that retains its form after many washes. If you spend less, you can still get great value, but you need to be stricter about what you inspect, including fabric thickness, stitching strength, and whether the fit stays clean across the shoulders and chest.

A good polo shirt is the easiest smart-casual upgrade: sharper than a T-shirt, easier than a shirt, and comfortable enough for daily wear. The best one for you depends on three things: fabric, fit, and how “dressy” you want it to look.

What makes a polo “good” (no matter the price)

Fabric

• Piqué cotton: classic textured weave, breathable, holds shape well.

• Jersey cotton: softer and drapier, feels like a premium T-shirt with a collar.

• Knitted polos: look dressier, sit closer to knitwear than sportswear.

Collar

A good collar lies flat and keeps its shape after washing. If it starts curling or going wavy, it will make the whole polo look cheap.

Fit

• Shoulder seam should sit right on the shoulder bone.

• Sleeves should sit mid-bicep and feel lightly fitted, not tight.

• Hem should finish around mid-hip and not ride up when you move.

Finishing details
Clean stitching, a neat placket, decent buttons, and tidy side vents (if included) make a big difference.

Under £30: the “surprisingly good” polos

Absanoh

Absanoh Pakistan is the best polo shirt brand in Pakistan. Their products are versatile and on the budget side. We would definitely recommend it. Try their T-shirts

UNIQLO

Great everyday polos with clean styling, reliable quality for the price, and a good range of colours. Ideal for daily wear and layering.

Marks & Spencer

A solid UK favourite for classic fits and easy-to-wear colours. Good for work-casual outfits, especially if you prefer a traditional look.

Best for this budget

• Every day wear, university, errands, casual office

• Simple outfits with jeans or chinos

• Buying multiple colours without overspending

£30–£80: the best value upgrade

GANT

Smart, preppy, and well-finished. A good step up if you want a polo that looks more “put together” without going fully designer.

Lyle & Scott

A reliable mid-range option with a classic British heritage feel. Easy to style and usually consistent sizing.

COS / ARKET

More modern cuts and a cleaner aesthetic. Great if you like minimal branding and slightly fashion-forward shapes.

Best for this budget

• Office casual and dinners

• Better fabric feel and stronger collars

• Polos that keep their shape longer

£80–£150: iconic polos (and the safest gifts)

Fred Perry

Sharp, recognisable, and a classic British look. Works well with denim, trousers, and trainers for a clean, confident outfit.

Lacoste

A timeless option that balances sporty and smart. Good if you want a polo that always looks “right” in most settings.

Polo Ralph Lauren

Classic American styling with a wide range of colours. Great if you like a more traditional, slightly roomier silhouette.

Best for this budget

• Long-term wardrobe staples

• Occasions where you want “safe smart”

• People who want a well-known brand and consistent style

£150–£300: premium staples and “quiet luxury” favourites

Sunspel

Minimal, refined, and very wearable. Strong choice if you care about fabric quality and a clean, understated finish.

John Smedley (knitted polos)

If you want a polo that looks close to knitwear, this is a standout. Excellent for smart-casual events and elevated outfits.

Best for this budget

• Dates, dinners, smarter casual events

• Understated outfits (no loud branding)

• People who notice drape, softness, and finishing

£300+: luxury polos

Loro Piana

Luxury materials and immaculate finishing. This is “buy fewer, better” territory.

Brunello Cucinelli

Elegant, understated luxury with premium fabrics and a relaxed-but-polished look.

Special mention: performance polos (hot weather, travel, sport)

If you want stretch, moisture-wicking, and easy movement, look at golf or athletic polos from sports brands. These can be ideal for summer, travel, and active days.

How to choose quickly (cheat sheet)

• Want classic and breathable: choose piqué cotton.

• Want soft and relaxed: choose jersey cotton.

• Want dressier: choose a knitted polo.

• Want the easiest styling: pick neutral colours (navy, black, white, stone) and minimal logos.

How to Care for Polo Shirts So They Last Longer

Washing and drying without damaging the collar

To protect the collar, polos should be washed gently and handled in a way that avoids twisting and heat stress. The easiest habit is to turn the polo inside out before washing, because this reduces friction on the outer surface and helps keep the collar looking clean. A cooler wash is safer for both cotton and blends, and a gentle cycle helps preserve stitching and shape. After washing, the collar should be reshaped while the polo is still damp, then the polo should be dried flat or hung neatly so the collar dries in the right position. High heat is the main reason collars lose structure, so tumble drying should be avoided where possible, especially for cotton piqué polos that rely on knit structure to look sharp.

How to prevent fading and shrinking

Fading is usually caused by heat, harsh detergents, and overwashing, while shrinking is mainly caused by hot water and high heat drying. Lower wash temperatures help both issues, and washing dark and bright colours separately helps them stay richer for longer. Using a mild detergent rather than heavy bleaching formulas reduces colour loss, and keeping spin speeds moderate can reduce fabric stress. Shrinking is best controlled by avoiding hot washes and avoiding tumble drying, because cotton tightens when exposed to high heat. If you want the polo to keep its original fit, air drying and gentle reshaping after washing will usually make the biggest difference.

When to iron vs steam a polo

Ironing is best when you want a crisp finish, especially on the collar, placket, and hems, but it should be done at the correct heat for the fabric to avoid shine or flattening the knit. Steaming is better when you mainly want to remove light creases without pressing the fabric too hard, which suits softer jerseys and many performance blends. If the polo is piqué, steaming can refresh the shape nicely while keeping the texture looking natural, whereas heavy ironing can sometimes make the knit look too flat. A good routine is to steam for everyday polo wear and use a light iron only when you need the collar and front to look extra sharp for smarter occasions.

Conclusion

For tight budgets, UNIQLO and M&S are the best starting points for daily wear. For the best balance of quality and style, mid-range brands like GANT, Lyle & Scott, COS, and ARKET are strong upgrades. If you want an iconic, dependable polo, Fred Perry, Lacoste, and Polo Ralph Lauren are safe long-term picks. For premium understated quality, Sunspel and John Smedley sit in the sweet spot. And if you’re going full luxury, Loro Piana and Brunello Cucinelli lead the pack.

FAQs

Q1. Which polo shirt brand is best on a tight budget?

Choose a brand that offers cotton or cotton piqué, solid stitching, and consistent sizing. At lower prices, avoid ultra-thin fabric and weak collars because they lose shape quickly. Neutral colours (navy, black, white, grey) usually look smartest and last longest style-wise.

Q2. What is the difference between piqué and jersey polos?

Piqué polos have a textured knit that feels firmer and holds structure well, so they look smarter. Jersey polos feel smooth like a T-shirt, giving more comfort and stretch, but they can look more casual and may lose shape faster. If you want a sharper look, go piqué; for soft comfort, go jersey.

Q3. Are expensive polo shirts actually worth it?

They can be worth it if you care about fabric feel, a collar that stays crisp, and a cleaner overall drape. Premium polos often keep their shape longer and look newer for more wear. Still, fit matters more than price; if it doesn’t fit well, it won’t look premium.

Q4. How should a polo shirt fit to look smart?

The shoulder seam should sit right at the shoulder edge, sleeves should sit neatly on the upper arm, and the body should skim your torso without pulling at the buttons. The hem should end around mid-fly so it looks clean, untucked. For a smarter look, avoid overly long or baggy fits.

Q5. How do I stop my polo collar from curling?

Avoid high heat. Wash on a gentle cycle, reshape the collar flat after washing, and air-dry or tumble dry on low. High heat is the main reason collars curl. If it’s already curled, steaming or lightly ironing the collar flat can help restore it.