Men's cotton polo shirts

Six men's cotton polo shirts to start with

All six are 100% combed cotton knits. Pick the one that matches how you will wear it.

• The one most people buy: the 3D Optical Geometric Knit Polo, a 3D cube jacquard with a structured fit, in Rust Orange, Mint Green and Black.
• A quiet pattern for the office: the Limoncello Pinstripe Knit Polo, with a fine vertical stripe, in Navy Blue and Beige.
• Texture without a pattern: the Sorrento Chevron Knit Polo, a vertical arrow texture in Grey, Butter and White.
• A zip neck: the Capri Wave Textured Zipper Polo, a drop-needle wave knit in Navy and Pine Green.
• Something louder: the Moderna Graphic Statement Knit Polo, a bold interlocking block jacquard in White, Dark Lavender and Mocha.
• For hot weather: the Vertical Pointelle Button Down Knit Polo, with perforated stripes and a full button placket, in White and Powder Blue.

What makes a good cotton polo shirt?

A good cotton polo comes down to three things: the yarn, the way it is made up, and the design. At Legacy London we start with pure cotton fibres, sourced from sustainable producers, and the knits on this page use combed cotton, which has the short fibres combed out so the yarn is smoother and softer against the skin. Several of our knits use a 2/30 yarn at 220 to 230 GSM, heavy enough to hold a collar and light enough to wear in warm weather.

Then comes the making. Each shirt is made up in our Colombo workshop, where a team with more than 25 years of experience combines traditional hand finishing with modern machinery. In any polo, ours or someone else's, check that the collar sits flat and stands up on its own, that the seams lie straight after a wash, and that the body keeps its shape from morning to evening.

The design starts in London. Whether you choose a cotton piqué or a knit, the detail worth checking is the same: mother-of-pearl buttons, the proportions of the placket, and how the collar is constructed. Visit our Design Room to see how a style gets from sketch to sample.

Knit polo or cotton piqué: which suits you?

Cotton piqué has the small raised weave you know from a classic tennis shirt. It breathes well, holds a crisp shape and suits golf, business casual and smart weekends. For the full comparison, read our guide to cotton vs piqué polo shirts.

A knit polo is softer and drapes more. It has natural stretch and a smoother or more patterned surface, so it moves with you and looks less like sportswear. Good examples are the Capri Wave Textured Zipper Polo, with its zip neck, and the Contrast Johnny Collar Polo, which has an open collar and contrast trim.

The honest answer for most men is a knit, partly because that is where most of our stock is at the moment: our piqué styles are mostly sold out. Both options earn a place if you wear polos often, so if you want piqué, check the men's polo shirts collection to see what is available. If you want a shirt today, start with the knitted polo collection.

Our cotton polo styles

These are the styles we would point you to first. Every one is a knit in stock on the site at the time of writing, and each product page lists its colours, sizes and fibre content.

What does a textured polo shirt add?

A textured polo gives you interest without a logo or a print. The pattern comes from the way the yarn is knitted, from a fine rib to a bold jacquard, so it cannot crack the way a print can. From across a room the shirt looks plain, and you see the pattern when you sit down opposite someone.

The Capri Wave Textured Zipper Polo is a good first one. Its wave texture comes from a drop-needle knit, and the zip adds a modern neckline to a classic polo shape. The Sorrento Chevron Knit Polo goes the other way, with an arrow texture in soft colours and a tailored fit. Both look at home with chinos and with something smarter.

A smooth cotton polo often needs something else in the outfit to carry it. A textured one can stand on its own. Wear it with plain tailored trousers or dark jeans, and leave everything else simple. For more outfits, read what to wear with a polo shirt or look through our lookbook.

How should a cotton polo fit?

A relaxed fit gives you ease through the body without looking oversized, and suits casual wear and softer knits: the Moderna Graphic Statement Knit Polo is cut this way. Let the fabric hang; a relaxed knit should not cling at the chest or stomach.

A tailored cut, like the Sorrento or the Limoncello, sits nearer the body while leaving room to move, and works tucked into chinos or untucked with dark denim. Whichever you choose, start with the shoulders: the seam should sit at the end of your shoulder without pulling. Our polo shirt size guide has the measurements and shows you how to compare them with a shirt you already own.

Sizes differ by style, so check the measurements on each product page rather than assuming your usual size. Knits generally have more stretch, while piqué holds a more structured shape. Think about how you will wear it too: a slightly looser polo layers better under one of our designer jumpers, and a closer fit looks better alone or under a blazer.

Which colour cotton polo should you choose?

Start with what you already wear. Navy, white and grey go with nearly everything, from shorts to tailored trousers, so they are the sensible first buy if you own few polos. Beige does the same job in warmer weather.

After that, use colour to add something. Pine green, forest green and mocha have depth without shouting. Powder blue, butter and mint are lighter, and suit summer and paler trousers. Rust orange is the strongest of our colours, and it looks best with navy, stone or denim.

Brighter shades suit casual summer days and holidays. Deeper ones suit the office and evenings. The 3D Optical Geometric Knit Polo in Mint Green shows that a bold pattern can still go with plain trousers. If you would rather not match pieces yourself, our co-ord sets do it for you.

What is a jacquard polo shirt?

A jacquard polo has its pattern built into the fabric as the yarn is knitted. Each colour of yarn comes to the surface only where the pattern needs it, which is why the design looks the same after many washes and has a slight depth you can feel with your hand.

The Interlocking Tile Pattern Knit Polo and the Moderna Graphic Statement Knit Polo show the range. The first is an interlocking chain that reads almost like tilework. The second is a bold block pattern that looks back to mid-century design. Both have a classic polo shape and no logo.

A jacquard polo dresses up more easily than its pattern suggests. Wear one with tailored trousers on a Friday at the office, or with shorts at the weekend. To see how the fabric is made, visit our production page.

How to wear a cotton polo in summer

Cotton suits hot weather because it breathes and takes up moisture. Choose a short sleeve polo in a lighter knit and a bright or pale colour. Open structures work best: the Vertical Pointelle Button Down Knit Polo has perforated stripes that let air through.

For a casual day, pair your polo with well-fitted shorts and loafers or clean trainers. For garden parties, outdoor weddings or a Friday at the office, switch to lightweight chinos and proper shoes. Our guide to smart casual polo shirts covers where the line falls.

For cooler evenings and air-conditioned rooms, put a light layer over the polo rather than swapping it: the Tonal Abstract Print Overshirt goes over the top with the collar out, and works just as well in autumn. For a full summer wardrobe, see Passport to Amalfi, the collection most of these knits come from.

What does mercerising do to cotton?

Mercerising is a finishing process that treats cotton under tension, leaving the fibres smoother and rounder. The cloth gains a slight sheen and more strength, and takes dye better. Our article on mercerised cotton explains the process in full.

In practice, that means colours that stay stronger through the wash and a fabric that shrinks less. It is one reason mercerised shirts often cost more, and why the finish is worth knowing about when you compare polos from different brands.

Not every good polo is mercerised, and combed cotton is a separate thing: it describes how the yarn is prepared, not how it is finished. If a shirt's finish matters to you, read the fibre line on its product page, and if mercerising is not mentioned, assume the cotton has not had it. Our Pure Cotton Legacy page says more about the cotton we use.

How to wash a cotton polo shirt

Wash a cotton polo inside out, cold or at 30°C on a gentle cycle, with a mild detergent and no fabric softener. A mesh bag protects the texture on jacquards and open knits such as the Diamond Weave Heritage Polo. Hand washing works too.

Skip the tumble dryer: heat is what shrinks and warps cotton knits. Lay knit polos flat to dry away from direct sun and radiators, and never wring them or hang them while wet. Press the water out gently in a towel instead. A woven or piqué polo can go on a wide hanger once it has stopped dripping.

Fold knit polos, because hanging stretches the shoulders. Make sure each one is completely dry before you put it away, and use cedar blocks if moths are a worry. Our knitwear care guide and Legacy London care guide go into stains and storage between seasons.