The college student uniform looms large this fall, and among all the track pants, flip-flops, and sweater vests trending right now, the rugby shirt is the most popular campus staple of the moment. And for good reason: It’s one of the most versatile layering pieces you can own, on top of being available at every price point. Why not invest while you’re still ahead of the curve?
Rugby shirts—essentially just long-sleeve polo shirts, traditionally made from thick, sturdy cotton—were initially popularized by their namesake sport because they provided warmth and protection during matches. In the 1950s and ’60s, as the prep aesthetic gelled, Ivy League students adopted the tops for off-duty pursuits. And with the rise of brands like Ralph Lauren and J.Crew in the ’70s and ’80s, rugby shirts (and their short-sleeved cousins) became enshrined in preppy, academic style.
Glamour’s rugby shirt trend wish list
Now they’re back in a big way. Prep has been a major fashion trend for a few years now, but it’s evolving this fall, drawing more on campus style and sporty references—leading us right to rugbies. Bold stripes, another hallmark of the rugby shirt, are also gaining ground among the street-style crowd, as are polo collars, meaning this is one of the easiest ways to buy into several of the season’s biggest trends.
I saw them all over the showgoers at Copenhagen Fashion Week, where brands like Sea and Damson Madder were incredibly popular among the crowds. (You can shop both labels in my edit below.) Rugby tops are also enjoying a big showing at New York Fashion Week; attendees are pairing them with barrel jeans and sheer skirts as the city navigates September’s transitional weather.
Styling a rugby shirt can take about 30 seconds; if you find yourself rushing out in the morning, just throw on one of the stops with some worn-in jeans, leather loafers, and rectangular sunglasses to nod at classic prep. Wear a rugby over a dress in 70-degree weather; you can pop it off and tie it around your waist or shoulders when the sun is out.
But there’s room to get a little weirder too. On chillier days, layer one of the tops over a paper-thin turtleneck and under a denim jacket or trench coat; you’ll look like a Nancy Meyers protagonist. You can also contrast the borrowed-from-the-boys silhouette with more feminine bottoms like sequin skirts or silk pants. At the office, replace your button-down shirts with rugbies—they’ll look just as polished with your oversized blazers and wide trousers.
Get a jump start on your rugby shirt collection below; my edit includes thin, under-$20 gems, heavyweight OGs, and new-school takes in cashmere. Your fall capsule will thank you.