Best Upgrade Polo Shirt: Sunspel Riviera Polo Shirt

One of the swaggiest pieces to come out of the James Bond franchise isn’t a Tom Ford suit or an Omega Speedmaster—it’s Sunspel’s Riviera polo. But the MI-6 agent’s plain-clothes uniform was hot long before it graced the silver screen. The British label has been crafting its luxurious polos since the 1950s and have been some of the best ever since.

It all starts with the fabric which is made using extra-long staple Supima cotton from California. The superior raw material makes for a fabric that’s buttery to the touch, not to mention more durable. Sunspel knits it into a fine mesh fabric that’s featherlight and super breathable, perfect for the French Riviera for which it was originally intended. They fit slim and trim for a more refined, less casual look off the bat, but that doesn’t mean you can’t rock one with some busted jeans and sneakers. It’s a great all-around polo for practically every occasion. And if you’re the kind of guy who needs to level-up every inch of his wardrobe, this is the polo to get.

Best Vintage-Like Polo Shirt: J.Crew Washed Piqué Polo Shirt

You shouldn’t be surprised that J.Crew is on this list. After all, the beloved American label built its success on preppy staples like chinos and Oxford shirts, so you should expect its polos to be among its many strengths. It’s one of the brand’s bestsellers for so many reasons: dialed-in silhouette, super soft cotton pique, and solid construction.

While we really like its regular lineup of polos, we’re particularly fond of its washed piqué polos which have a certain retro feel that’s hard to replicate. The washed-down finish gives it a vintage, broken-in look that could have hardcore thrifters’ jaws on the floor. They’re available in an array of pastels that are the perfect swerve away from the usual candy-coated tones that plague most fraternities.

Best Knit Polo Shirt: Stòffa Cotton-Piqué Polo Shirt

Knit polos are inarguably one of the sexiest pieces of clothing a man can own without resorting to sheer fabrics or leather pants. And we do love the horde of options that have overwhelmed the market, from the cheap and cheerful to the impossibly riche. But our favorite comes from the insider-y label, Stòffa.

It starts with a fine-gauge Turkish cotton which is double-twisted and knit into an airy yet structured honeycomb design using rare knitting machines. Each polo is piece-dyed which gives it a subtle vintage feel that will only get better with age. Other details like a classic straight fit, unique ribbing, and a spread collar that’s to die for make Stòffa’s polo a clear frontrunner for the best shirt in any guy’s closet.

Best Long-Sleeve Polo Shirt: Buck Mason Seafarer Cotton Rugby Polo

There’s a time and a place for everything, but short sleeve polos, as versatile as they are, don’t need to take up space everywhere. Long-sleeve polos are just a little sexier, a little more buttoned-up, a little more chic. There are levels to the long-sleeve polo, from the winter-coded fuzzy mohair joints to the slick and slim dressy options, but our favorite among them comes from Buck Mason.

The Seafarer Cotton Rugby Polo splits the difference between every way a long-sleeve polo can go and is the best for everyday situations. The cotton is hefty and has an incredible, structured drape, but is still breathable enough for spring. The classic silhouette is perfect for layering and sits right at the hips for a flattering look. The price tag may be a big pill to swallow, but the great quality justifies it. Our main complaint? It doesn’t come in more colors.