Collared Classics: The Best Long Sleeve Polo Shirt Brands

Few garments walk the tightrope of smart-casual quite as effortlessly as the polo shirt. Somewhere between a T-shirt and a shirt, it possesses the best qualities of both – refined when it needs to be, but without getting all straitlaced and stuffy about it.

It can strut its stuff with a two-piece suit, but it’s relaxed enough to hang with the rest of your casual wardrobe too. To call it versatile would be an understatement, and you don’t have to stop wearing it just because the clocks have gone back. All you really need is some longer sleeves.

The long-sleeve polo packs in all the perks of a regular polo, but with a more winter-appropriate silhouette. It’s perfect for layering, works well as a replacement for a traditional button-up, and can be worn as a standalone top, too.

Thinking of adding one to your cold-weather wardrobe? Below you’ll find a few pointers on what to look out for, as well as a list of the best brands in the department right now. Here’s everything you need to know.

Buying Considerations

Fabric

Luca Faloni

Traditionally, polo shirts are cut from cotton piqué, which is durable, breathable, and features a unique raised texture that adds another dimension to layered looks. It’s great, but the breathability might not be what you’re after in colder weather.

If you’re looking for something a little warmer, consider a knit version made from merino or cashmere. For an extra touch of texture, something fuzzier, such as mohair, can work well.

Fit

Wax London

A polo is designed to serve as a base or mid-layer. As such, you don’t want to be swimming in it. A regular fit is the safest place to aim. You want to be comfortable with good freedom of movement, but the garment should still feel and look fitted around the shoulders, chest and waist.

You need to be able to pop a jacket over the top without it bunching up awkwardly underneath.

Details

Luca Faloni

Much of the difference between a high-quality polo shirt and a cheap one lies in the details. From the stitching to the buttons, it’s the little things that really set a proper polo apart.

Always try to get the piece in hand before deciding whether or not to pull the trigger, and look out for things like binding on the seam inside the neckline, mother-of-pearl buttons and country of manufacture.

These details aren’t the be-all and end-all, but they can usually give you a good gauge of whether a product is worth the price being asked.

Price

Luca Faloni

The price of a long-sleeve polo can vary wildly. A simple pique version from a modest brand might only cost you £30, but a knitted cashmere option from a storied Italian label could set you back many hundreds or even more.

Obviously, the latter is ridiculous and completely unrealistic for the average customer, so we’d advise aiming somewhere between £50 and £200. Anything more than that, and you’re definitely paying for the name on the label, which is fine… if you can afford it.

The Best Long-Sleeve Polo Brands

Luca Faloni

When it comes to knitwear with a continental edge, Luca Faloni is the place to go. The brand’s long sleeve polos are spun in Italy from fine-gauge merino wool or cashmere, finished with elegant collars and seamless construction.

Think less shirt, more lightweight knitwear, making them ideal for smart-casual layering in cooler months.

Shop now at Luca Faloni

ASKET

Swedish essentials brand ASKET refines the basics. It does away with seasonal drops in favour of one big permanent collection that contains everything you need to be well dressed all year round.

Pieces are designed to be timeless and versatile, allowing them to be mixed and matched endlessly. Naturally, polos are part of it, with the brand’s long-sleeve version available in four muted colours for £120 each.

Shop now at ASKET

Wax London

Wax London has built its name on making everyday clothes that look considered but never contrived. Its long-sleeve polos are cut with a slightly relaxed silhouette, lending them an easy, lived-in feel that works with chinos, jeans, or even tailored trousers.

Add in the brand’s commitment to natural fabrics and sustainable production and you’re onto a winner.

Shop now at Wax London

Sunspel

British brand Sunspel has a long-standing reputation as one of the best luxury basics brands in the game. If it’s widely considered a wardrobe essential, chances are these guys are making one of the best versions.

Prices are steep, yes, but not laughably so, and there are plenty of understated styles to choose from, ranging from knits to soft Supima cotton.

Shop now at Sunspel

Polo Ralph Lauren

The clue is in the name. If you know anything about menswear, it should come as no surprise to see Polo Ralph Lauren on this list.

The American label’s polo shirts are world famous, easily spotted by their iconic polo player logo and dropped-back hem. A classic choice, available in a plethora of colours and materials.

Shop now at MR PORTER

Lacoste

Another OG polo shirt mainstay is Lacoste. Tennis pro René Lacoste’s signature shirts were the first designer polos in the world when they were launched in the 1930s, and they’re still one of the most popular options on the market to this day.

Shop now at Farfetch

Drake’s

For a long-sleeve polo that leans more towards tailoring than sportswear, Drake’s is hard to beat. The London label approaches casualwear with a refined, sartorial eye, meaning its polos are designed to work just as easily under an unstructured blazer as with selvedge denim.

Expect beautiful fabrics, Italian-made construction and a subtle nod to Ivy League style that never strays into costume territory.

Shop now at Drake’s

Uniqlo

If you’re after something simple, affordable and reliable, Uniqlo is difficult to beat. The Japanese retailer’s long-sleeve polos are made from soft cotton or its proprietary Airism fabric, offering impressive comfort for the price.

The cuts are clean, the colours are neutral, and they hold up well through repeated wear and washes.

Shop now at Uniqlo

Beams Plus

Japanese label Beams Plus takes mid-century Americana and gives it a modern twist. Its long sleeve polos reflect that perfectly – vintage-inspired cuts, heritage colours and just the right amount of preppy flair.

Shop now at MR PORTER

John Smedley

John Smedley’s mastery of knitwear is second to none. Each piece is crafted in England from extra-fine merino or Sea Island cotton, finished to perfection in the brand’s Derbyshire mill.

The long-sleeve polo is one of its signature styles – refined, versatile and as soft as it is sharp. If it’s good enough for 007, it’s good enough for us.

Shop now at MR PORTER

NN07

NN07, short for ‘No Nationality’, has made a name for itself through quietly confident, well-made staples. Its long-sleeve polos are minimal and modern, built with premium cotton or wool blends that sit neatly between smart and casual.

Shop now at MR PORTER

Fred Perry

Fred Perry’s long-sleeve polo is as British as it gets. With its twin-tipped collar and laurel wreath logo, it’s an icon of subcultural style, worn by mods, punks and Britpop stars alike. A true classic with the history to back it up.

Shop now at Farfetch