Having played rugby every winter season until I was 16, I never quite appreciated how chic the sport was. Tiny little cotton shorts with a perennially stylish rugby shirt - it’s hitting all those preppy aesthetic sweet spots.
Fast forward a decade, and high end brands, high street labels and independent stores all offer their own iteration of the sporty staple.
The hero of the smart-casual dress code, worn with jeans, trousers or even shorts when things start to warm up, throwing on a jersey looks like you’ve made an effort - even if you haven’t.
Back in the 1830s when the sport was invented at England’s aptly named Rugby School, teams wore woollen jumpers on the pitch. When the players realised the unwieldly fabric didn’t lend itself to the contact sport, it was swapped with a heavy-gauge cotton, instead. And so, the jersey as we know it today was born.
It wasn’t until the 50s that it was adopted by those off the field. To begin, they were proudly worn by fans of the sport, but then it became the emblem of preppy style that remains today. Whether you’re in the market for a classic logo embroidered option, a timeless stripe or even a statement colourful design, they all deliver seasonless Ivy League-style in one easy-to-wear hit.
Your first port of call should be preppy brands like Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren for designs that stay true to the collegiate aesthetic. Then, whether you would rather shop high street or the high end, nearly every menswear label has their own take on the look. Our top tip? Whichever style you pick, go for a slightly relaxed fit for a look that’s equal parts laid back and put together.
So, without further ado, this is your cue to add the design to your weekly rotation by copping one of our cherry-picked options below.
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Marks & Spencer Pure Cotton Striped Knitted Rugby Shirt
You’d be hard pushed finding a well-dressed gent who doesn’t have some M&S in their wardrobe. An ultra-soft cotton design, this top is premium through and through - except for the £35 price point.
Buy now £35.00, Marks & Spencer
Wax London Beck Rugby Shirt Ecru
Known mainly for overshirts crafted using French upholstery fabric, the rest of Wax London’s RTW collection is not to be missed, either.
In a neutral beige colourway, this would look best paired with white or neutrals. You could say it’s a real beige magnet.
Buy now £52.50, Wax London
Thames Letters Rugby Shirt
Dating back to 2013, Thames is a brand that’s built a strong cult-following over the past 10 years - and with collaboration with Palace and Adidas under its belt, things are going to get bigger for the British label.
With many sporty-inspired pieces, it’s only nature that they have a coveted range of rugby jerseys, too. Add a pop of colour to your look with this panelled checkerboard design.
Buy now £88.00, End Clothing
Nike Solo Swoosh
An elastane blend for a touch of stretch, Nike’s design is perhaps the comfiest in this edit. The spread collar and hidden button placket deliver on the smart casual front, and we’re in love with this rusty hue which would look best worn with black.
Buy now £54.95, Nike
Rowing Blazers Babar Embroidered Rugby
If you’re into the preppy look, Rowing Blazers is a brand you need on your radar. Every year, they release new collaborations with a whole host of brands, from Winnie The Pooh to Sperry - and this time, it’s with Babar The Elephant.
A super heavyweight design, this is the perfect transitional staple. Even better, when things start to heat up, you can wear it over your shoulders to really up the collegiate ante.
Buy now £200.00, Rowing Blazers
Gant Colorful Gradient Rugger
Whilst Gant has always been the purveyor of preppy style, in recent years its menswear offering has been taken to the next fashion-forward level - as proven by this degradé shirt.
The perfect summer purchase, it features all the colours of the sky at sunset - and it’s cut to a dreamy fit, too.
Buy now £140.00, Gant
Carhartt WIP Stripe Long Sleeve Tork Rugby Shirt, Dark Navy
You can count on Carhartt WIP, the London-based fashion-centric division of the American workwear brand, for seasonless staples that any guy would want in their wardrobe. Decorated with stripes, it will look best worn with blue denim and retro kicks.
Buy now £110.00, John Lewis
Tommy HIlfiger X Shawn Mendes Stars And Stripes Ruby Shirt
Shawn Mendes’ recent collection with Tommy Hilfiger was everything we could have wanted - and more. Show your love for the States in this shirt which has the famous stars-and-stripes proudly on show.
Buy now £180.00, Tommy HIlfiger
Drake’s Navy and Ecru Stripe Cotton Rugby Shirt
Blending vintage sportswear with relaxed tailoring is London-based menswear label Drake’s MO - so the rugby shirt fits in nicely.
Cut from a pattern that’s inspired by the brand’s shirting, this rugby fits easily under a blazer for an elevated look.
Buy now £225.00, Drake’s
YMC Up and under merino wool shirt green/brown
YMC is a cult favourite for true menswear stans. From the knitwear to the expertly cut trousers, the entire collection exudes a sense of London-cool season after season.
This shirt is no exception, designed with a two-tone stripe in a laid-back silhouette, you’ll never want to take it off - and we love the concealed placket.
Buy now £250.00, End Clothing
Goldsmith Vintage Green Striped Half Button Rugby Jersey
Vintage shops are a great place to find genuine rugby jerseys that are packed with authentic appeal - and the first on our list is always Goldsmith Vintage.
A green, black and red tri-colour palette, this shirt will bolster a 90s look with ease. Now all you need is the sports shorts to match.
Buy now £42.95, Goldsmith Vintage
