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Summer is gross. Yes, it’s a time for slacking off and shopping leftover Prime Day deals and generally wearing considerably less clothing, but there’s a host of other factors to contend with, namely the oppressive heat and humidity sweeping the country that makes getting dressed feel like an unnaturally sticky chore. It’s a conundrum that presents itself every year, without fail — how does one get appropriately dressed, in the fullest sense of the word, without sacrificing style or comfort? As it turns out, the solution has been available for quite some time — the terry cloth polo.
The Best Terry Cloth Polos
- The Novelty Knit: Tombolo ‘Le Sirenuse’ Limoncello Cabana Shirt, $148
- The Track Terry: Tracksmith Terry Polo, $92
- The Intro Polo: Todd Snyder Colorblock Terry Beach Polo,
$198$149 - The Beach Bum: OAS Dune Short Sleeve Terry Shirt,
$130$91 - The Summer Upgrade: Orlebar Brown Howell Camp-Collar Cotton-Terry Shirt, $298
A staple of Magnum P.I. proportions that began in the early 20th century and sustained well into the 1980s, the terry cloth polo has been forgotten in recent years, offered up as a sartorial sacrifice to make way for new, technical fabrics and old stalwarts of summer dressing (read: linen). But while the fabric, now favored for bathrobes and towels, might seem a bit weird to wear in the form of a shirt, it actually makes sense as the ideal material for summer.
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Short-phobic? We got you.What Is Terry Cloth?
Terry cloth, often referred to simply as towelling, is a woven cotton or cotton blend denoted by long, protruding loops of thread, giving the materials its patented textured look and increasing the fabric’s ability to absorb large amounts of water or a sweaty brow.
And there’s so much more to terry than its sweat-wicking properties. Let’s face it, you’re inevitably going to wear a polo come summer, so at the very least make it one that’s interesting rather than predictable; a terry cloth polo provides just the right amount of unconventionality. There’s an inherent star quality to a textured top — look at Sean Connery’s baby blue terry onesie he donned as Bond, or slightly more recently, White Lotus‘ Sicilian romps in labels like Tombolo.
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Enamored with murder and the Sicilian Coast? Us too, and the enviable style is not far behind.As summertime terry votaries ourselves, we’ve tested more than a dozen of the styles and rounded up our favorites for you to bust out at your next backyard pool party. From slinky Todd Snyder joints to the IG-ready Dandy Del Mar tops, you’ll find a variety of toweling toss-ons ideal for enduring the summer (and its accompanying heat) ahead. Below, the best terry cloth polos to master some serious poolside vibes.
The Best Terry Cloth Polos For Men
Tombolo’s fully captured the Instagram side of terry cloth polos, with tasty branding and a slew of silly Cubana shirts endorsed by everyone from Dwayne Wade to Jeff Goldblum. While they can present a little try-hard in everyday situations, we have zero qualms with you rocking one by the pool or on the beach.
Borrowing from old-school tennis goodness and cutting-edge running tech, Tracksmith’s sporty polo threads an aesthetic that would make McEnroe and Prefontaine green with envy.
Snyder’s take on terry is relatively simple in regards to silhouette, and even the sage colorblocking isn’t too loud. Think of it as the perfect beginner terry polo.
A peach of of a collab between Huck and serious terry cloth purveyors OAS, this patterned button-through polo puts the fun in funky.
Double down on texture with this swanky, ultra-plush terry button-down shirt from luxe label Orlebar Brown. Bonus points for the stormy navy colorway — it has international man of mystery written all over it.
Terry cloth might feel like a distinctly beach-y fabric, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be melded with other aesthetics. Take the above shirt from Dandy Del Mar as an example, offering a super soft and lightweight terry cloth fabric with a Western-style pattern. Because even cowboys enjoy the beach.
J.Crew’s poppy Camp Collar Terry Cloth Shirt has — count ’em — four massive pockets for you to stash goodies in. You know, car keys, sunscreen, can of Modelo, that sort of thing.
We must admit, James Bond’s favorite polo in a very cool color is not a collab we saw coming this summer.
Anyone nostalgic for 1970’s style will appreciate the subtle striping on this Paul Smith terry polo. It’s a nod to a different era without being costume-y or tacky. In fact, we’d say it does a pretty good job of encapsulating summer in both fabric and pattern.
Antwerp knitwear brand Howlin’ makes some of our favorite cozy knits around, and we’re especially digging their party-forward button-through. Draped in a Belgian-made velvety French terry, it’s arguably the best thing you can wear with a pair of very short (and possibly matching) shorts.
Taking inspiration from old-school seaside loungewear, Faherty’s Cabana Towel Terry Polo is made from a sustainable fabric knit with a bold stripe design. The terry is cut into a silhouette you already know and love, with an easy fit to keep things breezy.
Sure, you could settle for a plain navy polo, or you could add a bit of both texture and color to the style with this Terry Stripe Polo from Marine Layer. It’s made from a plush, absorbent terry cloth and features bold stripes across the sleeves.
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