HOW TO STYLE: THE RUGBY SHIRT

Myth-busting time: yes, you can dress up rugby shirts. While they were once exclusive to casual wardrobes, trendsetters like Hailey Bieber have given rugby style tops a new lease of life among both pared-back and polished looks. Still swooning over last year's Hamptons summer aesthetic? Then style your rugby shirt like a preppy polo. Just button it up to the top, pair it with neutral tailored shorts, slip into some leather loafers and finish the look with a heritage cap. Avoid black and anchor the look in neutrals – it'll soften up your outfit for spring.

GET THE LOOK:
Polo Ralph Lauren icon logo baseball cap in white, £55
ASOS DESIGN oversized rugby polo top with dallas graphic, £28
Stradivarius Smart shorts with darts in brown, £22.99
London Rebel Amelia tassel penny loafers in brown, £24

Jeans and a rugby top are a duo as old as time. Despite baggy jeans having a monopoly over the rugby top + denim landscape, we’re making a case for straight jeans instead. With some considered layering, you can curate an art gallery-worthy look. Unclutch your pearls at the premise of a pinstripe shirt underneath a rugby top – the mishmash of stripes makes for a modern, Jonathan Anderson-esque combo. Choose neutral 90s-inspired boots to complement the beige panels of this Threadbare rugby top, and voila.

GET THE LOOK:
Threadbare polo rugby top in black and ecru stripe, £28
Stradivarius Basic striped poplin shirt with pocket in denim blue, £22.99
Abercrombie & Fitch high rise 90s relaxed jean in mid blue wash, £75
Topshop Sara Premium leather square toe flared heel boot in buttermilk, £100

Like any wardrobe must-have, rugby shirts have seen their fair share of fresh iterations. The oversized long-sleeve is the default, but you’d be mistaken to overlook slim-fit variants. With the proportions of a polo but the stripes and contrast-collar of a rugby shirt, they offer slightly more Y2K feels than your usual. Bring the playful 00s vibes into your lower half, too – teaming your rugby top with a denim miniskirt and low-pros makes for a party-ready look. And you can’t forget the prints; a cow-print bag lends even more fun to this sunshine-appropriate outfit.

GET THE LOOK:
Puma Speedcat Premium trainers in pink and metallic silver, £100
Pull&Bear Shopper bag in cow print in brown, £27.99
Hollister y2k denim mini skort in light blue wash, £27.95
Monki stripe rugby slim fit long sleeve top in yellow, £25

Thought we were done? There’s one more rugby top styling archetype you need to get familiar with: rugby tops + jorts. This outfit combo is firmly on our agenda for SS26. But instead of trainers or Timberlands being the footwear of choice, take a slightly unexpected route with ballet flats. The blend of masculine and feminine elements results in a runway-ready ensemble – add the supersized aviators into the equation, and you’ve got a head-turning outfit formula.

GET THE LOOK:
& Other Stories rounded aviator sunglasses in brown tortoise, £42
ASOS DESIGN striped oversized rugby top in burgundy, £28
Pull&Bear Low-rise jorts in dark blue, £29.99
Stradivarius Bow detail leather effect ballet pumps in black, £27.99