The polo shirt has been a fashion staple for both men and women for decades. Versatile, comfortable, and ideal for dressing up or down, the polo is an easy go-to option for any occasion.
While the classic polo remains a popular choice in today’s world, new production processes, materials, and fashion trends are introducing a host of new options for consumers. If you’re planning on starting your own fashion business, checking out the top polo trends of 2024 embraced by apparel industry leaders could be a great way to boost your sales potential.
Today, we’re going to take a closer look at the history and evolution of this classic, casual garment, and explore some of the major trends every designer should be aware of.
The Origins and Evolution of the Polo Shirt
Before we dive into some of the latest Polo Trends of 2024, it’s worth taking a moment to explore where this classic garment originally came from. The polo shirt dates all the way back to the mid-19th century, when it was designed as a garment specifically intended for the sport, Polo.
Polo is an ancient and popular game, with roots dating back to the 6th century. The original polo shirt was designed to accommodate the needs of noblemen who played the game on horseback, often throughout regions of the UK, and India.
Compared to standard dress shirts, the polo shirt offered a comfortable, versatile alternative, giving athletes more freedom of movement, and access to more breathable materials. While the polo shirt was more “casual” than a traditional shirt, it maintained its sophisticated appearance with a buttoned collar, making sure it would appeal to the aristocrats of the decade.
Over time, the versatility of the polo shirt helped it to branch into other sporting landscapes, such as tennis and golf. Participants in a range of sports began relying on polo shirts for more comfortable, resilient, and lightweight apparel. As interest in the polo shirt grew, innovators like Rene Lacoste experimented with the design, introducing more breathable, comfort-focused garments.
As the years passed, polo became more accessible to the masses, and stopped being associated solely with the aristocracy. Eventually, the polo shirt became a major fashion trend, appearing in all forms of casual attire.
Common Types of Polo Shirts for Big Brands
From stylish garments, to sporty shirts designed for the athletic space, polos come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Over the years, companies have adopted many different styles of polo shirts, using different fabrics, cuts, and fits, to connect with a wider audience.
Some of the most common types of polo shirt produced by big brands today include:
- Short sleeve polos: The short sleeved polo is perhaps the most popular and well-known type of classic polo. It comes in a variety of colors, and usually features a soft, unstructured collar, and a quarter-length placket with 1 to 4 buttons.
- Pima cotton polos: Otherwise known as a lightweight cotton polo, Pima cotton polos are common among gold and tennis players. They offer excellent moisture wicking capabilities, as well as soft, breathable materials.
- Pique polos: Another extremely popular type of classic polo, pique polos are made with a special kind of fabric. The specific type of cotton gives the polo a little more stretch and durability. You’ll find pique polos produced by Ralph Lauren, Lacoste, and Adidas.
- Long sleeve polos: Long sleeve polos might be less common than their short-sleeve alternatives, but they’re often popular during winter months. They share most of the same design features as the standard men’s polo shirt, just with longer sleeves.
- Athletic polo shirts: Athletic polo shirts are designed specifically for the sporting industry. They generally include more stretchy, flexible fabric, as well as moisture wicking and temperature control properties.
2024 Polo Trends for Big Brands
While the classic polo shirt remains a staple part of many wardrobes, leading companies have begun to experiment with different solutions in recent years. Trends like sustainability, the rise of athleisure, and even new production processes have led to new possibilities with polo design.
Here are some of the major trends making waves this year.
Sports Line (Performance) Polo Shirts
As demand for athletic clothing continues to increase, and consumers invest more time in self-care and exercise, sports and performance-style polos are growing more popular. These shirts are based on standard athletic polos, but take advantage of ever-advancing production technology.
Innovative sports line polos, produced by companies like Nike and Adidas, combine flexible, lightweight materials, with moisture-wicking abilities, and temperature control solutions, to give athletes more comfort during sessions of golf, tennis, bowling, or badminton.
New Polo Fits
Just as companies have begun experimenting with the materials used in polo shirts, they’ve also begun looking into new ways to structure the garment. One of the biggest Polo trends in 2024 is the rise of “oversized” shirts, which offer a relaxed, more comfortable fit. They look excellent when paired with slim-fit shorts and pants, to create a unique contrast.
Similarly, cropped polos are becoming more common in the women’s fashion industry. These products are either worn as a standalone garment to show off the stomach or figure, or as part of a layered outfit.
1 and 2 Button Polos
Buttons are a consistent part of many custom polo shirts, However, for the most part, most polos have featured 3 or 4 buttons in the past. In recent years, companies have begun experimenting with one or two button polos, creating a more structured garment with better coverage.
Ralph Lauren is one of the major brands driving this new trend, with a broad selection of one and two button polos in a range of colors and patterns.
Sustainable Polo Shirts
The sustainability movement is rapidly taking over the fashion landscape. Younger generations are increasingly searching for more eco-friendly and environmentally sound products. This has prompted major brands to invest in new eco-friendly materials, like recycled polyester, organic cotton, and bamboo, to reduce their impact on the environment.
Ralph Lauren even has a dedicated sustainable polo collection, known as the “Earth” series, which creates polo shirts using recycled bottles and plastic that would otherwise overwhelm landfills.
Nike also has a range of sustainable polo shirts, made with unique earth-friendly materials, and non-toxic dyes. Some companies are even using water-free production processes, or print-on-demand manufacturing, to reduce the amount of waste they produce.
Premium Quality Fabrics
One of the key factors that has always drawn people to polo shirts is the comfort they can provide. Many organizations have begun to build on this concept, exploring ever-more luxurious and premium-quality fabrics for polo production. Options range from heavy-weight knit fabrics which add depth and dimension to the shirt, to lightweight cotton garments, silk, and more.
Printed Polos
Polo shirt ideas are evolving as companies discover new ways to add unique designs and patterns to their materials. Printed shirts have become particularly common in the fashion landscape, adding a fun, playful, and unique element to a classic garment.
Many of the world’s biggest brands now produce polos in a variety of colors and patterns, experimenting with color block designs, stripes, polka dots, and even animal or floral prints. These unique prints turn the casual polo shirt into a more stylish piece for any wardrobe.
Retro Polo Shirts
Sometimes, taking the world of fashion into the future means looking back. The retro trend is still going strong in the fashion industry, and garment manufacturers are taking advantage. Brands like Nike and Lacoste have introduced a variety of retro-inspired polo shirts, with bigger collars, bold colors, stripes, and geometric patterns.
These shirts can add a fun and playful element to virtually any outfit, and can be styled in a range of different ways, with layering and accessories.
Athleisure Polo Shirts
As the athleisure industry continues to grow in popularity, polo shirts are becoming ever-more comfortable and flexible. Brands are introducing comfort-inspired shirts with features like ribbed cuffs, convenient zip-up collars, and even mesh panels for extra breathability.
These shirts offer consumers a great way to achieve a casual yet stylish look, whether they’re at home, working out at the gym, or connecting with friends.
Create Your Polo Shirts with NovaTomato
Demand for polo shirts continues to grow around the world, particularly as brands embrace new and exciting design trends. By 2028, the market for polo shirts is expected to reach a value of $6478.24 million.
Fortunately, you don’t have to be a major designer like Ralph Lauren to take advantage of the latest trends. With a fashion-on-demand innovator like NovaTomato, any creator can design their own incredible polo shirts, with minimal effort.
With NovaTomato, you can create stunning, high-quality polos, with premium fabrics, using the same manufacturers as leading brands like Burberry and Coach. Plus, we can help you to take advantage of the latest trends, with our AI design tools, extensive pattern library, and access to a range of sustainable, recycled materials.
We can even help creators produce unique polo shirts ideal for the sports and athletic world, with moisture-wicking, stretchable, and breathable materials, perfect for movement.
Contact NovaTomato today to start your polo shirt design journey.
FAQs
Still have questions about polo shirt trends?
Let’s see if we can answer them.
Are Polos Making a Comeback?
Polo shirts have been popular for a long time, thanks to the incredible designs of companies like Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, and Lacoste. However, the rise of the athleisure industry, and changing customer trends have made polos more popular recently.
Will Polo Shirts Be Trendy in 2024?
Yes! Classic garments like the polo shirt never go out of style. This casual garment is comfortable, versatile, and ideal for a range of occasions. Plus, with various new polo design trends to explore, there are dozens of ways to make your trendy shirts stand out.
What Are the Most Popular Polo Shirt Colors in 2024?
The right colors and designs for your polo shirt will always depend on your target audience. In 2024, however, there is a growing demand for bright and vibrant colors. Shades like red, blue, and green are popular for polo shirts, alongside saturated pastel shades.
