The Hackett Polo Shirts Worth Buying

This is the heart of the range and where most buyers should start. The Classic Fit Pima Polo at £100 is the workhorse, soft long-staple cotton with a collar that stands properly after a wash, and it comes in enough colours to cover a full week. If you want the same shape with a bit more detail, the Tipped Polo and the Club Collar Polo (the most affordable here at £90) add quiet contrast without shouting. The Travel Pique and standard Travel Polo around £110 are the ones to pack, since pique resists creasing far better than fine jersey. The Logo Pique at £90 is the value pick if you only want one. Sizing runs true to a relaxed British cut, so size down if you prefer it close.

If you already own a couple of basics, this is where Hackett earns the upgrade. The Pure Linen Short Sleeve Polo at £200 is the summer hero, breathable and relaxed, and the Linen Long Sleeve Shirt Polo at £230 is the most expensive piece here for good reason. Linen creases by design, so lean into it rather than fighting it. The Cotton Silk Short Sleeve Polo at £200 has a subtle sheen and a softer drape than pure cotton, which makes it the dressier choice for warm evenings. The Mercerised Long Sleeve Polo at £130 is the value standout in this group, with a smooth treated finish that holds colour and looks sharper than its price suggests. Buy the linen for July, the cotton-silk for occasions, the mercerised for everything in between.

The rugby shirts are the part of this edit you wear from September onward. The Classic Fit Striped Rugby and the LRC Striped Rugby at £160 give you the traditional heavyweight body and contrast collar, while the Branded H Striped Rugby at £170 and the Long Sleeve Peaks Rugby push the heritage detail further. These run warmer and slightly boxier than the cotton polos, so they layer well over a tee or under an overshirt. For something between a polo and a rugby, the Quarter Zip styles (both Slim Fit at £120 and Classic Short Sleeve at £130) give you a higher neck without the full collar. Buy one striped rugby first; it does the most work across an autumn wardrobe.

This group is for buyers who want their polo to carry a bit of personality. The Number, Multi Number and Half Number polos at £120 to £140 lean into Hackett's racing and rugby heritage with applied numerals, while the Colour Block and Two Tone styles around £120 split the body into contrasting panels. The Branded Polo at £100 and the Branded Quad and Branded Panel polos at £120 to £130 keep the logo work tidy rather than loud. The Back Sash and Back Panel polos hide their interest at the rear, which is a nice touch if you want a plain front. The Stripe and Tape polos around £100 to £120 are the easiest to style if this is your first patterned piece. Pick one statement, keep the rest plain.