The archetypal rugby shirt is emblematic of the duality of man. Reconciling the rugged, often somewhat violent nature of rugby with its preppy, upper class origins, the rugby shirt is hardwearing enough to withstand 80 minutes of scrapping yet, thanks to its collar and ribbed cuffs, doesn’t look out of place worn under a blazer.
Prior to the 20th century, dedicated sporting clothing was exclusively chattel for the upper class. While sport as a whole was not restricted to a singular class, most people who wanted to engage in outdoor activities or team sports would simply wear their old clothes. The variant of football we now know as rugby was thought to have emerged at the Rugby School in the East Midlands of England around 1845.
In the early days of the sport, players would wear flannel shirts, caps, and trousers, with some participants even donning monocles. However, it was quickly discovered that these articles were not well equipped for the rough nature of the sport, with the flannel shirts later replaced with collared wool sweaters. In turn, players found that wool sweaters were too hot and itchy to wear for the duration of the game, so in the early 20th century, rugby jumpers were cut from thick cotton which was able to withstand the inevitable tackles and scrums of the sport.
These jumpers featured a rigid collar and placket rubber buttons, with the cotton fabrication making it easier for teams to select coloured jumpers. As the sport grew in popularity, more rugby clubs emerged which made it difficult for teams to find original colours. As a result, several rugby clubs introduced two-tone shirts which featured horizontal stripes (known as ‘hoops’) of alternating colours. With the rise of preppy style during the mid 20th century, rugby shirts became a sartorial staple off the field, initially worn by British private school and university students to show support for their home team before trickling over to the United States and further abroad. Today, the rugby shirt has more connotations with Americana than Britannia, thanks to heritage brands like Brooks Brothers, Ralph Lauren, and L.L.Bean making the style a core part of their offerings.
While it’s of the same preppy ilk as the polo shirt, the rugby shirt has a decidedly tougher, edgier feel which can perhaps be equally attributed to its sturdier make as the physical contact element of the sport that led to its creation. And while actual rugby players now sport lightweight short-sleeved jerseys made of synthetic blends, the quintessential rugby shirt retains its appeal.
Its heavyweight cotton fabrication and long sleeves make it the ideal autumnal wardrobe staple, while its collar allows it to be dressed up or down. Pair with dark denim and sneakers for something casual or go rogue and throw it under a suit and round off the look with a pair of loafers for a relaxed take on smart casual attire.
The best rugby shirts for men in 2025
Keen to enter the scrum? These are the best rugby shirts to sport this autumn.
1. Brooks Brothers Cotton Rugby Shirt
Eschewing the typical hoops of rugby shirts, this colour-blocked iteration from the archetypal purveyors of prep adds a rugged sensibility to everyday ‘fits. Currently, Brooks Brothers has a selection of striped rugby shirts on offer, each boasting durable thick cotton construction.
Price: from $154AUD
2. Drake’s Cotton Rugby Shirt
Cut with a slightly higher armhole and a slimmer body fit, the Drake’s Cotton Rugby Shirt is a refined take on the style, designed to be worn under tailoring. The rugby shirt is a quintessential garment for Drake’s, with the British menswear label always having a selection on offer. Drake’s rugby shirts are cut from knitted cotton which lends them a tactile appeal, while striped and colour-blocked patterns pair well with classic menswear staples.
Price: from $470AUD
3. Gazman Multi Stripe Rugby Jumper
Australian menswear retailer Gazman’s rugby shirts prioritise a classic relaxed fit cut that’s well-suited for weekend warriors. We’re particularly partial to the way the colour palette extends onto the collar.
Price: $119.95AUD
4. Rowing Blazers Rugby Shirt
The preppy rugby shirts from Rowing Blazers are cut from an ultra-heavyweight cotton, making it a practical (yet fun) addition to your transseasonal wardrobe. Unfortunately this multi-coloured vertical striped iteration is sold out, but the American clothing brand has several other viable alternatives across both its permanent collection and ongoing slew of collaborations (highlights include cute collabs with Winnie the Pooh and Paddington bear).
Price: from $250AUD
5. Artknit Studios Organic Cotton Tricot Polo
All work and no play? Allow us to recommend the Artknit Studios Organic Cotton Tricot Polo. While the only scrum it’ll be entering anytime soon is of the agile project management nature, its tactile knit fabrication lends a tactile feel to the rugby shirt. It’s deliciously soft and sits close to the body, allowing it to be worn under a suit or blazer.
Price: €209 ($344AUD)
6. J. Crew Rugby Shirt
Heritage American brand J. Crew always has a selection of rugby shirts on offer. Some lean traditional with heavy cotton construction, while others emulate the silhouette but are crafted from wool or a cotton waffle knit for an elevated upgrade.
Price: from $159AUD
7. Ralph Lauren The Iconic Rugby Shirt
With a classic, slightly roomy fit, Ralph Lauren’s take on the rugby shirt works well over jeans, chinos, and tailored trousers alike. The pattern of this one skews traditional, but the heritage American label also has colour-blocked and patchwork style rugby polos on offer.
Price: $329AUD
8. Private White V.C. Rugby Shirt
Elevated details like corozo buttons and branded copper rivets on the hem coupled with durable heavyweight cotton construction mean the Private White V.C. Rugby Shirt is equally well suited to playing on the field as it is to simply playing the field. A refined yet rugged staple.
Price: $410AUD
9. Gant Heavy Rugger
Gant knows how to make a good hardwearing rugby shirt. Its striped and plain heavy ruggers are cut from heavy pique cotton and feature a twill collar and underplacket with knit ribbed sleeves. They’re available with classic rugby hoops, stripes, and plain.
Price: from $169AUD
10. Velasca Zuccarello Long-Sleeved Polo Shirt
While the aesthetic of the Velasca Zuccarello Long-Sleeved Polo Shirt is inspired by vintage sportswear, its regular (read: not baggy) fit and knitted bouclé cotton fabrication lend it to more smart casual outfits. Style it over a pair of pleated trousers or corduroys.
Price: $378AUD
What is a rugby shirt?
A rugby shirt is a long-sleeved shirt cut from heavy cotton with a stiff collar with a buttoned opening similar to that of a polo shirt. The placket of a rugby shirt typically has either rubber buttons or a concealed button closure (the latter is more popular when wearing the garment for casual purposes). Rugby shirts often feature ribbed cuffs which allow the sleeves to be rolled up with ease. Most rugby shirts feature bold two- and multi-toned patterns, including horizontal and vertical stripes. These originally corresponded to the colours of various rugby clubs, but are now employed for stylistic effect. The stiff collar of a rugby shirt is often either white or in a complementary colour.
The durable yet stylish qualities of rugby shirts coupled with their upper class origins mean they’ve been embraced by proponents of street style as well as lovers of the old money aesthetic.
How to style a rugby shirt
The key to styling a rugby shirt is matching its fabric weight with your other pieces. The hardwearing nature of rugby shirts means they sit well under a woollen tweed or houndstooth blazer, or look good worn alone over sturdy jeans or woollen odd trousers. Lean into the rugged vibe with a pair of vintage hiking boots or retro-inspired sneakers, or elevate it to smart casual territory by finishing your ‘fit off with a pair of Chelsea boots.
Enjoyed this style guide to rugby shirts? Check out our other men’s style guides here.
Feature image courtesy of Drake’s
Words by John Deckard
