Polo shirts have long been accepted as business casual. You can take them from the golf course to the office and finish off on the tennis court without raising eyebrows. It is a trick you can’t pull in basketball gear. But now the rugby shirt is back in fashion. Do they work for business casual, or are they best left for going out to the pub?
Rugby shirts can be business casual. These shirts are associated with the preppy, Ivy League look and are almost always worn untucked, but the hem should be shorter than the blazer. However, you should avoid team shirts, skin-tight fit, and shun designs with loud clashing colors when at the office.
Not all sportswear transitions well from the field to the office. Even soccer (football) shirts with a collar are generally considered weekend BBQ wear rather than Sunday brunch.
Some argue this is classicism, and they may have a valid point. However, when at the office, it is all about diplomacy. Ivy League prep, such as polo and rugby shirts, oozes confidence and assurance in getting the job done.
Wearing Rugby Shirts As Business Casual
Rugby shirts can be business casual, but the culture of the office or gathering must be taken into consideration. For example, the trend for loud clashing colors might work in a hip and trendy PR or advertising firm. However, these color combos won’t fly in more conservative establishments.
Also, you need to look for heavy, quality cotton weaves. These have a more sophisticated drape than thinner cotton. The lightweight ones are better suited for hanging out with friends than in the office but will often work fine for a Sunday brunch or a casual church setting.
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Rugby Shirt Business Casual: Short Sleeve Vs. Long
Long sleeve Rugby shirts are favored for the business casual look. They make excellent autumn wear and can look fantastic under a blazer.
However, the short sleeve rugby shirt often comes off as a confused polo shirt. Thus, better to let polo shirts do their job since they already do it so well. It isn’t worth trying to compete and risk looking like a poor imitation.
However, short sleeve rugby is a comfortable, cleaned-up look for weekends for BBQs and when you want something dressier than a t-shirt for hanging out by the pool.
Rugby Shirt Fit For Business Casual
Rugby shirts are worn tight on the field to prevent the opposing team from grabbing them and yanking players down. However, the practical necessity of a tight shirt is not found in the typical workplace, bar, or Sunday brunch.
Thus, go for a relaxed slim fit when purchasing a rugby shirt for business casual. You don’t want it baggy or blousy. However, it shouldn’t define your six-pack or beer belly, either. Keep it neat, with clean lines, but with room for some air circulation.
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Rugby Shirt Colors For Business Casual
The trendiest rugby shirts are bright, loud, clashing colors. Think bright pinks and oranges in slashing stripes. Which could work in some young, bright settings such as social media firms, hipster-casual weddings, and trendy yet relaxed bars.
However, keep the colors toned down at more conservative establishments where the preppy, Ivy League look is preferred.
- Red and navy
- Blue and cream
- Hunter green and navy
- Brown and cream
Leave the electric green and purple to the trendsetters and vibey-twenty-somethings that can pull it off. It’s the cool uncle at the Christening. If that’s you, fantastic. But if you’re deep in dad-joke territory, you might want to stick to a more college-professor color pallet.
Rugby Shirt Untucked For Business Casual
Ruby shirts are worn untucked. However, watch the hemline when worn under a blazer. The blazer should hit lower down on the body than the rugby shirt.
Rugby Shirt With Jeans Or A Trousers
Many offices do not allow jeans on business casual days. However, rugby shirts can give a very adult vibe when paired with jeans if a blazer and loafers are involved.
Rugby Shirt And Shoes
Your shoe choices can really make or break the shirt when it comes to business casual. For example, preppy street sneakers not made for sports can look great with a rugby shirt at more relaxed workplaces and get-to-gathers where you want to look nice but not too stuffy.
However, loafers and monk strap shoes can raise the tone of a rugby shirt, making it just that much more polished and sophisticated without looking uptight.
The rugby shirt can be an excellent addition to the business casual look. However, pay careful attention to the fit, the thickness of the material, and choose your colors to fit the setting and vibe. The shoes you pair with your rugby shirt will also play a big role in setting the tone.
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Image Credits
Barbarians rugby shirt Auckland Museum, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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