There are few garments more ingrained in the preppy aesthetic than short-sleeve polo shirts. Like pearls or an argyle sweater, the polo seems immune to the trends of the day, whatever they may be.
And yet in summer 2026, it’s never felt fresher or more relevant. After several decades spent relegated to the collections of brands that made the polo shirt part of their DNA (Lacoste, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, et all), the style has made a return to the trend circuit to become one of the most desirable tops one could have this season. In fact, I’ll be using it in place of my trusty basic white T-shirt. It’s just as comfortable and casual as a tee but adds a little more personality and flair.
Zoey Deutch in New York City
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Mélanie Laurent at Paris Fashion Week
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How to wear a short-sleeve polo shirt in 2026
- With trendy jeans: Because the polo shirt is such a timeless classic, you can wear it with more modern silhouettes like barrel jeans.
- With a midiskirt: A short-sleeve polo + midiskirt any of its versions is a winning combo, but that’s especially true with a straight-cut one a la Zoey Deutch above.
- With a pair of Bermuda shorts: Long denim jorts are the trendiest option, but linen or tailored shorts in black or beige also work and are a more elevated take.
- Over or layered under a slip dress: Bonus style points if you mix stripes with a printed dress.
The polo shirt will forever be a staple, but it’s reaching main character status this summer. To help you stay ahead of the curve, we shopped out some of the best available short-sleeve polo shirts right now.
