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As a golf aficionado or an avid outdoor sports enthusiast, there is no such thing as too many polo shirts. The classic polo shirt is a step above the everyday tee, is just as comfortable, and is filled with performance-based qualities.
Below are some great men’s short sleeve polo shirt options. We have included a bunch of designer options and everyday favorites that come in varying materials, fits, and styles.
These polos come in an almost dizzying array of colors, classic, regular, and slim fitting options to meet anyone’s preferences. Most have some sort of UPF to provide extensive protection against the harmful rays of the sun. These polos are also made from specialty tech fabrics that are moisture-wicking to keep you dry for all-day wear.
The Top Men’s Short Sleeve Polo Shirt Compared
IZOD Polo Shirt — Best Overall
From a famous maker known extensively for their polo shirts comes this classic polo that has incorporated specialty sport flex technology to provide maximum comfort. This top is designed to be worn on and off the tennis court, golf course, and anywhere else the day may take you and it is also moisture-wicking to keep you cool all day long.
Pros
- The special tight-knit material provides UPF15 protection
Cons
- If you prefer a slim fitting shirt another option might be better
Nautica Polo Shirt — Runner Up
This designer performance-style polo is made from 100% cotton and is not just for sports. This shirt has a polo collar with a sporty, two buttoned placket and ribbed cuffs on the sleeves for movement and style. This is a classic fitting polo meaning it’s not too slim nor too relaxed and can be worn anytime you want to feel cool, comfortable, and confident.
Pros
- This top is available in regular, tall, and plus-size options
Cons
- If you prefer a non-logoed shirt, another option might be better
Frogger Golf Shirt — Honorable Mention
The Frogger Golf Shirt is a must-have piece of golf apparel for all serious players. Featuring a lightweight, stretchy material with UPF 50+ Sun Guard sun protection, this polo shirt makes it easy to stay shielded from the sun's harmful rays while enjoying a full range of motion during a round of golf. The fabric is also 100% moisture-wicking and ventilated to help keep you cool and comfortable.
Pros
- Made of great quality material
Cons
- Not available in all sizes
Hanes X-Temp Polo — High-Tech
Made from a specific polyester/cotton blend, this top also contains advanced odor protection technology to help keep you fresh all day long. This technology is designed to adapt to your body temperature and activity to keep you cool and dry for all-day comfort. This shirt also has all the traditional classic polo details including a ribbed stay-flat collar, three-button placket area, and a mid-weight fabric that is made to feel soft against the skin.
Pros
- A tag-free neckline keeps you scratch-free
Cons
- This polo does not have ribbed collar sleeves
Calvin Klein Polo Shirt — Classic Style
Another great designer polo option is this cotton one that is made with ultra-fine yarns for comfortable ventilation. This polo has a regular, classic fit that wears close to the body, yet is not too tight to be uncomfortable and has a subtle logo on the chest area that blends in with the chosen shirt color. A quick-drying fabric, slight stretch, and lustrous finish all are meant to keep you going all day in premium comfort.
Pros
- This top has UPF protection during any outdoor activities
Cons
- This shirt may shrink slightly upon first wash
Columbia Polo Shirt — Modern Fit
For those that require UV protection, this polo shirt is made with special materials made to block both UVA and UVB rays with its tight weave construction. The polyester fabric is soft and comfortable on the skin, allows for easy laundering, and the classic three-button collar and short sleeves make this top versatile for everyday wear. This top also has a modern, classic fit and features a signature logo at the chest for added style.
Pros
- This top comes in seven color options
Cons
- The shirt is made of a heavier-weight fabric
Amazon Essentials Polo Shirt — Contender
Made from a quick-dry, moisture-wicking material, this knit polo is ideal for a day on the links and is comfortable enough to wear to work. This top features a sleek slimmer fit, three-button placket, and open bottom hem that can be easily tucked in or worn tucked out depending on preference.
Pros
- This shirt provides UPF sun protection of 20-40 depending on the selected color
Cons
- These tops are not available in tall size options
Under Armour Golf Polo — Also Consider
Another high-tech polo option is this one with a specialty textured fabric that is soft, light, and breathable. In addition, this do-it-all fabric wicks sweat, dries fast, and features anti-odor technology to prevent the growth of odor-causing microbes. Although this polo is geared towards golf, it can be worn for almost any outdoor activity and makes a great casual-workday option as well.
Pros
- These polos come in regular, and tall sizes
Cons
- If you prefer a shirt without a logo, another option might be better
Buying Guide: Men’s Short Sleeve Polo Shirts
Do’s and Don’ts With Polo Shirts
Here are a few universal “rules” or etiquettes of wearing a polo shirt:
Don’t wear them too tight
Do wear your polo T-shirts fitted but make sure they’re not too tight to show every bulge. You should be able to stick a finger between the sleeve and your bicep on a short sleeve polo t-shirt. If you can’t fit the finger comfortably between them, get yourself a bigger size.
Similarly, if you see a lot of slack, go for a size smaller. A good fitted half sleeve polo shirt should comfortably and nicely drape over your body. It should skim the body instead of hugging the frame completely. The light cotton-like material of a quality polo shirt looks good only if it fits right.
Don’t layer a polo
A common mistake is layering up your short-sleeved polo with another t-shirt, or worse, another polo. Since short-sleeved polo shirts for men should always be worn in a size that skims and contours the body, there isn’t much room for another shirt underneath.
An undershirt means the neck will crumple at the collar and it will be slipping from under the sleeves. Polo’s aren’t designed for layering up, so you need to steer clear of short or long-sleeved undershirts.
Don’t pop the collar
Popping collars is a trend that’s probably never coming back. Leave it for the teenagers and bar crowd. This trend doesn’t look elegant and takes away the essence of a polo t-shirt.
Do size them height-wise
It’s important to buy the right size of polo not only fitting-wise but length-wise as well. This means that the tail of an untucked polo should reach just midway down your bum. This length is ideal for both tucked-in and untucked looks as it won’t crumple up when inside the pants. And if you leave a long-tailed polo untucked, it’ll just throw off the proportions and ruin the look.
Do tuck it in
When the situation, occasion, and outfit calls for it, tuck your short sleeve polo shirt in. For instance, polo shirts with chinos or seersucker slacks should be tucked in while you don’t need to tuck them in if you’re pairing them with a pair of madras shorts.
Do get cotton blends
Polo shirts come in a variety of materials. From jersey, cotton-silk blends to breathable cotton-linen blends. For summers, invest in a quality cotton blend to ensure comfort.
How Should a Men’s Short Sleeve Polo Shirt Fit?
Although the fit depends on the body type of the wearer, here are some general rules:
Sleeves
Short sleeves should extend till the mid-bicep and should lightly be hugging the arm there. Ribbed sleeve ends would hug a little tighter. They shouldn’t be too tight or too loose.
Neck opening and collar
Polo collar sizes are pretty standard across brands; you need to simply ensure that the collar isn’t too small. The buttons under it should end just around the armpits, no further than that. Leaving the top 1-2 buttons undone will frame the face better. The collar should be standing up rather than lying flat on your shoulders in this position.
Torso
A good-fitting polo shirt should allow you to pinch either side of your stomach between 1-2-inches of the fabric. This rule applies to all body types. For the length, the polo should end at the mid or maybe upper crotch. If the polo has a tail, it should extend more than two inches than the front. Try to avoid buying polo shirts with tails anyways.
How to Style a Short Sleeve Polo Shirt for Men
Here are a few ways you can style up a polo:
- You can pair up a short sleeve polo with jeans, shorts, chinos, and even dress pants.
- For shoes, put on some loafer, sneakers, or moccasins according to the outfit. leather trainers, chukka boots, espadrilles pair nicely as well.
- For outerwear, polo shirts go well with leather or bomber jackets and knitted jumpers.
- A sharp collared polo looks great with slim-fit, cuffed joggers.
- For a laid-back and casual vibe, pair the polo shirt with low-rise cargo pants.
What Makes a Quality Polo Shirt
A few things a polo shirt should feature include:
- A good quality knit material and composition. It could be jersey or pique, but need to be thick and durable enough to hold its shape after washing.
- There should be a distinct logo.
- A quality polo shirt would have a structured collar. Most short sleeve polo shirts come with ribbed folded collars that can easily crumple or roll if they’re made from low-quality material.
- Check if the buttons are strong and can take a little occasional tug and pull.
- Ensure that the brand you’re buying from offers exchanges and guarantees.
Conclusion
Men’s polo shirts are more of a staple wear for most of us. However, there are some unspoken rules and etiquette of carrying a polo shirt. This guide explains that and also recommends the top men’s short sleeve polo shirts in 2022 to help you get the perfect one.
