There’s a fair bit to think about when buying a football shirt – for example, which team to pick – but buying a rugby top is a little more straightforward. With a rugby top, you don’t need to pledge allegiance to a club (or, as the case may be, false allegiance), since, in lieu of emblems or logos, they typically come unadorned and either striped or block-coloured. You can easily embrace this trending sporty mood as a fashion fan, rather than a real one.
Rugby tops were a standout item on the spring/summer 2024 runways, where directional takes were paired with embellished skirts and outerwear at Dries Van Noten, and seen styled with lace-up trousers at DSquared2. Even The Row, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s label renowned for its “quiet luxury” DNA, put its own spin on the silhouette, with a pale pink cashmere polo (look 13) and an optic-white sweater with matching tracksuit bottoms (look 76).
Elsewhere, London-based label Talia Byre has made rugby shirts her signature. The designer’s striped, oversized iterations, which feature stiff collars, have become a common sighting in the Vogue offices – and many editors have got their eye on the disco lamé versions she debuted for spring/summer 2025.
While there are plenty of new-season options available, the second-hand market has an abundance of vintage styles, which you can find on eBay, Vestiaire Collective, Vinted and Depop. Looking to invest? Pay close attention to the sizing – oversized fits have proven popular, but you want to ensure that the sleeves aren’t too long (you can also get these altered if something fits well everywhere else).
And when it comes to styling a rugby top for everyday use (rather than genuine sporting activities), it’s pretty versatile. Treat it the same as a long-sleeved knit: it looks good with denim, tailored trousers, skirts and shorts. Plus, it can be used as a layer, whether atop a tank or wrapped around the shoulders. Scroll on to see some outfit ideas to take on board for autumn.
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