After several summers dominated by oatmeal drawstring trousers and 50 shades of ecru, the return of a little colour and personality this season feels refreshing. Nothing too loud, mind. Just enough to suggest the wearer might occasionally enjoy himself. Which is where striped sports shirts come in.
A true modern classic, the polo has long occupied that sweet spot between sportswear and something more refined. Despite the name, the polo shirt as we know it emerged from the tennis court rather than the polo field, when legend-of-the-game René Lacoste introduced his soft-collared cotton piqué polos in the 1920s as a relaxed alternative to stiff sporting whites. Ralph Lauren later transformed the polo into a cornerstone of American prep – collar-popped and chino-tucked with a sweater around its shoulders – while mid-century style icons Paul Newman and Steve McQueen understood its particular magic: casual, but rarely scruffy. A plain polo shirt will seldom see you wrong, but this summer, sporty shirting feels most considered when rendered in stripes. Plenty of brands have played with multicoloured designs, from the bold, hoop-striped rugbys by Drake’s, to Celine’s confident block-striped polos with contrast collars and cuffs.
There’s a simple joy to be found in shirts like these – they are a supremely easy way to lift an otherwise muted outfit. A pop of green, crimson or cobalt blue set against classic chinos or washed denim jeans, layered beneath a dark suede blouson or trucker jacket, looks both low-key and intentional. Parisian brand A.P.C. has produced some particularly beguiling versions in organic cotton. You could go tonal with the chestnut-and-cream long-sleeve polo, paired with white jeans and a chocolate suede jacket, or opt for something poppier with the beige, red and white striped short-sleeve version – particularly good with faded blue denim. Designed with a straight fit, they’re not too slim, and work equally well tucked or untucked as the mood takes you.
The polo’s more boisterous cousin, the rugby shirt, carries with it the same sporting pedigree, but with a touch more swagger. Polo Ralph Lauren still does them brilliantly – see its version in bottle green, navy, red and yellow with a contrasting white collar – while designer interpretations from the likes of Versace push things somewhere more louche.
Either way, pieces like these make getting dressed feel pleasingly straightforward. Hymn their preppy roots and finish with neat deck shoes or soft, unlined suede loafers. Swedish footwear stalwart Morjas or British indie shoemaker Horatio both offer good options here.
There is, admittedly, one potential hazard to striped polos and rugby shirts alike – they can veer into spray-paint-tight Love Island territory if you’re not careful. Avoid anything overly fitted. We’re aiming for Riviera chic, not nightclub promoter. Don’t be afraid of a little bit of colour, either. The striped sports shirt is purpose-built to inject a little personality into your wardrobe, without tipping into full peacocking.
