5 Best Rugby Shirts for Men in Fall/Winter 2025 – The Must-Have Comeback Trend

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This season, gentlemen, there’s one piece of outerwear you’ll want to take very seriously: the rugby shirt. Yes — the collared, heavy-cotton, bold-striped piece that used to live on college campuses and varsity fields is having a full-on resurgence for Fall/Winter 2025. And let me tell you: as a 50-year-old guy who’s seen trends come and go from Bristol to New York, this one feels like a revival that really works for us.

Rugby shirts have enjoyed waves of popularity over the decades — think late 70s, 80s, early 90s when preppy sporty was everywhere. But this time round, the revival is smarter and more relaxed than ever. The difference? It’s leaning slightly oversized. Rather than the fitted, body-clinging versions of the past, the new rugby shirt is roomy in the torso, generous in the sleeves, and designed for comfort and style combined. It’s not baggy—it’s balanced. It gives you that relaxed-prep energy without looking like you borrowed someone else’s shirt.

So how should you wear this piece so it looks sharp, modern, and age-appropriate (rather than youthful frat-boy)? Two very reliable routes:

• Prep style with chinos. Pair your rugby shirt with beige or light-khaki chinos. Let the shirt sit untucked or with a clean tuck (depending on your build), roll the sleeves once if you like, and finish with clean white trainers or loafers. The chinos keep the look grounded and classic while the rugby shirt adds texture, collar detail and stripe interest. Especially good for a relaxed weekend lunch, a casual meeting or an early evening out.

• Casual chic with jeans. Swap the chinos for a mid-to-dark wash straight-leg jean (skip the ultra-skinny unless that’s your go-to). Let the rugby shirt hang slightly boxy over the waistband, maybe half-tucked if you’ve got height and want shape. Throw on a suede bomber or a quilted overshirt for the colder days. Boots or minimalist sneakers complete the look. The key: letting the shirt speak the vintage-sport heritage while the jeans and outer layer keep it grounded in modern menswear.

Because the silhouette is slightly oversized this season, you want to balance it out: if the top is roomy, keep the bottom lean. If your shirt is more fitted, you could go slightly more relaxed on the trousers—but in my view, for men over 40, the “relaxed top / tailored bottom” gives you best results.

In short: the rugby shirt of Fall/Winter 2025 is the versatile, heritage-inspired piece that gives you effortless style whether you’re running errands in Bristol or brushing up in Manhattan. It nods to tradition, but doesn’t feel dated. And because it works in both smart-casual and classic weekend wardrobes, it’s an investment piece worth the space in your closet. So, without further ado, let’s look at five of my favourite rugby shirts for this season.

1-Banana Republic Striped Brushed Rugby Shirt

Banana Republic

Crafted in a brushed heavy-cotton jersey, this rugby shirt brings rich texture and a clean stripe scheme that makes it an instant upgrade to your layered-weekend wardrobe. The regular fit keeps the silhouette sharp—but because of the collar and the bold stripe, it carries that heritage sporty-vibe that works beautifully when paired with chinos or jeans.

2-Zara Contrast Collar Polo Sweatshirt

Zara

With its clean lapel collar, hidden button-down placket and contrast-trim detail, this piece bridges the world between classic rugby-shirt styling and modern casual tailoring. The blend of 79% cotton and 21% polyester gives it structure and easy wear-comfort — ideal for injecting a sporty-heritage vibe into your fall wardrobe without feeling over-the-top.

3-GAP Men’s Rugby Shirt

Buy on Amazon

This heavyweight cotton rugby shirt from GAP offers the bold stripe pattern and traditional polo collar that nod to the classic look, while the relaxed silhouette makes it perfectly suited to the slightly oversized trend of Fall/Winter 2025.
With its clean construction and strong mid-tier value, it’s a great way for men over 40 to embrace the rugby-shirt comeback without feeling like they’re dressing for their teenage years. Perfect to wear with the Gap Men’s Loose fit jeans (on Amazon)

4-AE x Tru Kolors Pique Rugby Sweatshirt

Available @ AE.com

This heavyweight piqué-cotton rugby shirt channels vintage sport-heritage with modern polish—note the herringbone placket and signature logo buttons that nod to the detail-driven trend we’re seeing for Fall/Winter 2025. The boxy fit and standard length make it perfect for the slightly oversized silhouette that fits our style now, especially for men over 40 looking for something fresh yet mature.

5-H&M Loose‑Fit Rugby Shirt

Buy at H&M

This 100 % cotton, loose-fit rugby shirt from H&M nails this season’s slightly oversized silhouette, with its turn-down collar, concealed two-button placket and side hem slits giving you all the right details for Fall/Winter 2025.
The relaxed but not sloppy fit makes it a smart choice if you’re 40+ and want to wear the trend without feeling like you’re dressing too young — just pair it with beige chinos for a refined prep look, or dark denim for a weekend casual finish.

Rugby shirts are one of those timeless menswear pieces that always find their way back into fashion — and this fall/winter 2025, they’re not just back, they’re essential. Whether you go for a premium version from Banana Republic, a trend-forward one from Zara, or a budget-friendly pick from H&M, the key is in the way you wear it: slightly oversized, confidently casual, and with just the right amount of attitude. Personally, I love how this trend feels both nostalgic and modern — a reminder that good style, like a good rugby shirt, never really goes out of fashion.

Jerome

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