Multiple collars stacked on top of one another and embroidered logos featuring obscure latinate mottos. Vintage sports bags crafted from the sails of old family boats and oversized cable knit jumpers. A perceptible, salt-laced smell of the coast despite being in the city. All are necessary ingredients for conjuring an image of a distinctly preppy individual from either side of the Atlantic.
Wildly popular in the mid-2000s and early 2010s, preparatory style was monopolised by high-street brands including Jack Wills and Abercrombie. Here in the UK, teens and tweens would flock to those hallowed, pillared townhouses – the former of which was adorned with iconic pink and navy stripes and decorated with weathered union jacks.
Oxbridge rowing oars would criss-cross at the entryways to those sprawling shop floors, and leather trunks that looked as though they had been plucked straight from the foot of a bed belonging to an Eton boarder were scattered throughout. When it came to the clothing on offer, rugby shirts were simply par for the course. Young girls and women would often shop in the men’s section to embody that coveted “I stole it from my boyfriend” look.
During this historical period, British boyband One Direction represented a selection of the finest male specimens on the planet, and their collective style from the early years can only be described as preppy. The styling from the infamous ‘Gotta Be You’ reflected this, and made those beautiful boys look as though they had been in the eye of a tornado that swept through Jack Wills, Hollister and Superdry before winding down at Ralph Lauren.
Across the Atlantic, Gossip Girl’s Nate Archibald was the blueprint for the archetypal all-American boy. Never too far from a pigskin, a golden retriever or a garment embellished with that particular silhouette of a jockey, this old-money ideal drew from royal style traditions and influences over in the UK.
Collegiate-style clothing has been given a Gen-Z makeover in the last few years, the most distinct marker of this being the oversize-ification of traditionally fitted garments. Short-sleeved polos, rugby shirts, knitted jumpers and trench coats have been given the boyfriend-style treatment and appear to have become boxier in both the men’s and women’s offerings.
Preppy chic’s equal and opposite in the 2010s was Indie Sleaze, which itself is undergoing a revival. It consists of sullying traditionally preppy clothes with ripped tights instead of perfectly knitted stockings, makeup from the night before, gelled, choppy hair and oversized spectacles without lenses.
The current rugby shirt trend sits somewhere in between the two, offering a versatile styling piece no matter which camp you lean more heavily towards. As such, we’ve curated a selection of the most attractive rugby shirts for women on the market right now.
Keep scrolling to stay preppy.
Rowing Blazers New Zealand
Cult favourite clothing brand Rowing Blazers is known for its old-school fraternity-style offering, so it makes perfect sense that they offer such a vast range of unisex rugby shirts. Hop on the preorder list for this New Zealand All Blacks style before it’s too late.
Buy now £210.00, Rowing Blazers
Whistles Rugby Shirt
Hop on the colour-blocking trend with this highly saturated, raglan rugby shirt from Whistles. We particularly love the exaggerated, extra-thick white V-neck collar detail.
Buy now £69.00, Whistles
Sammie Green Rugby Shirt
Crafted from a warm, heavyweight jersey with dropped-shoulder tailoring, we adore how Joules dressed up this style with a dramatic, coordinating silk scarf.
Buy now £59.95, Joules
Kotn Rugby Shirt
Featuring that oh-so collegiate and traditional set of vertical stripes in classic school colours, this shirt has been fabricated with the help of heritage jersey maker Barbarian from heavyweight jersey cotton which is sourced over in North Carolina. This option features tapered sleeves, which gives it more of a sweatshirt silhouette than most rugby shirts.
Buy now £66.00, Kotn
Dyce Navy Knitted Rugby
A slightly warmer, knitted lambswool option in lieu of the classic cotton jersey which rugby shirts are usually made from, this classic style from Beaufort and Blake features a contrasting chevron design which meets at the base of the neck.
Buy now £60.00, Beaufort & Blake
Striped Cropped Jersey Rugby Shirt
This women’s rugby shirt from Ralph Lauren is slightly cropped for those who have a distinct aversion to the French tuck. Featured in a calming navy and baby blue colourway, this is a heritage piece that will still look chic when it’s weathered from a few too many washes a decade down the line.
Buy now £189.00, Ralph Lauren
Axel Arigato Journey Rugby Cotton-Jersey Sweatshirt
Fitted with extra-large bell sleeves for the ultimate oversized look, the relaxing, neutral ombre hues of this ethereal rugby shirt from Axel Arigato make it an immediate year-round piece in our eyes.
Buy now £70.00, Axel Arigato
Big Mach Long Sleeve Polo Sweat - Petrol Blue
Sounder offers up a mid-weight rugby jersey for impeccable layering during the colder months. Pair it with a plain white t-shirt with a thick, ribbed collar, your favourite pair of Levi’s and a cosy button-up fleece for a winter-ready ensemble.
Buy now £100.00, Wolf & Badger
Blue striped rugby shirt
Classic vertical stripes in royal blue and white loose-fitting rugby shirt makes for a brilliant wardrobe staple.
Buy now £28.00, Monki
Mango Mauloa Stripe Collar Jumper, Green
Impeccably styled with yet another seasonal staple –a heavyweight pleated kilt – the exaggerated V-neck of this rugby shirt from Mango imbues it with a distinctly slouchy, effortless feel, especially when contrastingly paired with an expertly tailored garment.
Buy now £49.99, John Lewis
