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Read our privacy notice . When you’re considering men’s fashion, there’s one firm staple that should be part of every wardrobe: the trusty polo shirt. A classic and timeless piece, it’s a versatile item that works whatever the season.

There were once a couple of brands that were almost synonymous with the polo sector (in the same way that Smirnoff is to vodka or Gordon’s to gin ), but newer and style-conscious labels are hot on their heels with adventurous designs that liven up the sea of monochrome colourways. So you have to consider, is it the classic look that you’re after or is a more stylised interpretation just the tonic to your wardrobe cocktail? Polo shirts – both short and long sleeve – are usually made with a knitted cotton pique (a woven and waffle-like construction) or with a jersey fabric (a smoother and flatter texture) and, as the name suggests, were originally worn by polo players in India around the mid-to-late 1800s, hitting UK shores by the roaring 1920s. They soon evolved into the tennis and golf arena due to their versatile aesthetic and flexibility of movement.

Now, they have solidified their place in the everyday fashion rotation of put-together gentlemen around the world, .