This "Ugly" Shirt Trend From the '00s Is Officially Back

Polo outfit ideas shown on the spring and fall 2024 runways and on the street style set.
(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight; @amalie_gassmann; @oumaymaboumeshouli; @emilisindlev)
Jasmine Fox-Suliaman's avatar
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Humor me. If you were taken back to the early aughts, what trends would you expect to see everywhere? Baguette bags. Statement belts, perhaps. Don't get me wrong. Many trends have become synonymous with that era, but none were as prolific as polo shirts, IMHO. You could spot this sportswear staple everywhere, from the runway to the red carpet. American sportswear brands such as Ralph Lauren, Lacoste, and Tommy Hilfiger may have championed this top in their collections, but the celebrity set made it cool. Without rappers fully embracing polos in the public sphere—to the point where many were double-layering them—this preppy item would have never had the impact in pop culture that it did. Of course, that's not to say that this item has always been beloved.

Like all trends, its rapid rise eventually led to it being regarded as an "ugly" and "tacky" trend of that period. In the past few months, however, we've begun to see the polo-shirt trend pop off again. While it's easy to assume that its current rise can be solely attributed to its proliferation in the spring/summer 2024 and fall/winter 2024 runway collections, that's not the whole truth. With the boom of fashion aesthetics such as tenniscore and country-club chic—fueled by the blockbuster film Challengers—we've seen sportswear take a big swing in recent seasons. That's occurred in tandem with the embrace of activewear staples by stars, including Bella Hadid, Rihanna, and Hailey Bieber. Considering all of these factors, it's unsurprising that we've seen this shirt style returning to the game.

If you're dubious about how this shirt has become stylish again, keep scrolling. Ahead, I've rounded up polo-shirt outfit ideas from the runway and the streets. Plus, I've shopped out the 20 best polo shirts to inspire you to embrace your inner Sporty Spice. If these examples can't prove to you that this shirt is scoring points in the courts of public opinion again, nothing will.

On the Runway

The polo shirt trend in Gucci's spring/summer 2024 show with a model wearing a gold chain, white shorts, red platform loafers, and a Gucci bag.

(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight; Pictured: Gucci S/S 24)

The polo shirt trend on the runway on a model wearing a gray polo with navy long shorts and fisherman sandals.

(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight; Pictured: Loewe S/S 24)

The polo shirt trend on Miu Miu's spring runway with a model wearing a navy polo under a gray shirt and duster jacket with yellow hot pants, a stuffed brown handbag, and loafers.

(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spolight; Pictured: Miu Miu S/S 24)

The polo shirt trend on Dries Van Noten's spring runway with a model wearing a striped rugby shirt with a white pencil skirt, printed socks, and printed pointed heels.

(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight; Pictured: Dries Van Noten S/S 24)

The polo shirt trend on Lacoste's fall runway with a model wearing a green polo with matching green trousers, a green pleated skirt layered over, and green sneakers.

(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight; Pictured: Lacoste F/W 24)

The polo shirt trend on Tommy Hilfiger's spring runway with a model wearing a chevron blazer over a striped polo shirt with a black pleated midi skirt and black boots.

(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight; Pictured; Tommy Hilfiger F/W 24)

On the Streets

A woman wearing a striped green and brown polo shirt with a pleated tan miniskirt, brown mules, and a brown shoulder bag.

(Image credit: @oumaymaboumeshouli)

A woman wearing a blue jacket over a striped polo shirt with baggy jeans and white sneakers.

(Image credit: @emilisindlev)

A woman wearing a blue jacket over a blue button-down shirt and gray polo styled with a navy pleated miniskirt and brown bag.

(Image credit: @amalie_gassmann)

A woman wearing striped rugby polo with gray sweatshorts, white socks, and black loafers.

(Image credit: @sofiamcoelho)

A woman wearing a navy blazer over a striped polo with a black miniskirt and white sneakers.

(Image credit: @georgia_3.0)

A woman wearing a striped polo with baggy jeans and loafers.

(Image credit: @_paulineleroy_)

Shop the Trend

This post was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

Jasmine Fox-Suliaman
Jasmine Fox-Suliaman
Freelance Fashion Editor

Jasmine Fox-Suliaman is a freelance writer and editor living in New York City. What began as a pastime (blogging on Tumblr) transformed into a lifelong passion for unveiling the connection between fashion and culture on the internet and in real life. Over the last decade, she's melded her extensive edit and social background to various on-staff positions at Who What Wear, MyDomaine, and Byrdie. More recently, she’s become a freelance contributor to other publications including Vogue, Editorialist, and The Cut. Off the clock, you can find her clutching her cell phone as she's constantly scrolling through TikTok and The RealReal, in search of the next cool thing. 

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