It was a summer of tennis-core outfits, but now it’s time to put your rackets away and head to the pitch in one of the high street's coolest rugby shirts. Preppy polo collars have been spotted everywhere recently and it’s the perfect trend to give your autumn/winter wardrobe a stylish update. Pair with a suede jacket and you’ve got yourself an autumnal look that is sure to slay.
The trend began on the catwalks, which were awash with rugby shirts galore. From Miu Miu to Prada and Tommy Hilfiger, the designers were certainly pro-preppy. It didn't take long for the street stylers to take note. At recent fashion weeks, including Copenhagen, New York and Paris the style set has been repping collared rugby shirts left, right and centre. And it's serving us a lot of style inspiration!
It’s even got Taylor Swift and Gigi Hadid’s approval. The singer and model have both been spotted wearing rugby shirts. Instead of bold stripes Taylor opted for a classic logo style which she paired with brown knee high boots for a look that oozed style. Gigi rocked a striped rugby shirt with a pair of laidback green cargo trousers and a très chic leather jacket.
If you fancy following suit and adding a preppy polo top to your wardrobe, we’ve found all the best rugby shirts on the high street. Our top picks include styles from all our fashion faves, including H&M and M&S. The hardest part is choosing just one, we want them all.
SHOP: the best rugby tops from the high-street
H&Mwww2.hm.com
Try out the trend without splashing too much cash thanks to H&M's bargain rugby shirt. You can never go wrong with timeless navy and white The key to looking effortlessly cool is opting for an oversized silhouette and this style fits that bill perfectly. It features drop shoulders and is cut in a looser fit - size up if you're after an extra baggy look.
M&Swww.marksandspencer.com
There's no denying that M&S has been seriously killing it recently with their sell-out collections and their autumn/winter range is of no exception. We love their take on the rugby shirt trend, which features neutral black and beige stripes and a white collar. It's crafted from a comfy cotton blend and has a cosy textured finish that makes it a great rugby top for the cooler months. It's selling out super fast, so you'll have to act quick.
Anthropologiewww.anthropologie.com
If you're looking for a classic striped rugby shirt, this style from Anthropologie is the one for you. We love the bold red and navy design, that's giving I stole my boyfriend's rugby shirt - which we're totally here for. It's made from 100% cotton, so is super breathable and comfortable to wear. Style with your favourite denim for a causal look, or try a pair of tailored trousers for a smarter feel.
Monkiwww.monki.com
If you fancy a rugby shirt with a little je nai se quoi, this version from Monki features bejewelled pearl-like buttons. With a retro colour palette of mustard brown and blue stripes, the polo top also leans into the 70s trend that is still going strong. It's made from 100% cotton and has ribbed cuffs for a cosy fit. It also comes in a burgundy and pink colourway that we're crushing on pretty hard, too.
Levi'swww.levi.com
Rugby shirts aren't exclusively made of cotton and jersey, we've started to see knitted styles popping up all over the high street that are perfect for winter dressing. We are obsessed with this gorge forest green and pastel blue jumper from Levi's, that features 10% wool to keep you toasty warm. It comes in burgundy and navy blue too, which also looks totally lush.
Coswww.cos.com
Burgundy is kind of a big deal right now. The deep red hue is one of the hottest colours of the season, so when we saw it in rugby shirt form we couldn't resist. You can always rely on Cos for high-quality pieces that will last and this 100% cotton top is of no exception. It's cut in a contemporary boxy shape that feels fresh and modern, while still channelling that preppy retro style that we love.
Abercrombie & Fitchwww.asos.com
Known for their preppy pieces, Abercrombie & Fitch always has a great selection of rugby-style tops to help you channel a cute sporty look. This lightweight 100% cotton design is a great one for year-round styling. Layer it up during the colder months by adding a thin roll-neck underneath for extra warmth. It comes in a relaxed fit, but we'd recommend sizing up one if you prefer an oversized look.
Emma White is a Senior Style Writer for heat and Closer, where she covers all things fashion, beauty and interiors. As a lover of high street fashion and someone who unashamedly trawls the new in sections of Mango, Zara and H&M on an almost daily basis, Emma is your go-to person for any what to wear woes.