The rugby shirt craze certainly isn't going anywhere.
After being spotted all over spring and fall 2024 runways, from Dries Van Noten to The Row and Tommy Hilfiger, the preppy top was a standout at the latest Copenhagen Fashion Week—proving to be a major trend we'll continue to see next year.
Originally worn for sport, rugby shirts first entered the fashion zeitgeist in the '50s, when they were co-opted by college students to support players on the field. Then, in the '80s and '90s, the three-button style was immortalized when worn by the likes of Mick Jagger and Princess Diana. Over the past few years, It girls like Taylor Swift, Hailey Bieber, Rihanna, and Kendall Jenner have all been seen embracing the style. Given the rise of sportswear-inspired trends like tenniscore—coupled with an ever-present desire for nostalgia—it comes as no surprise that the athletic-leaning top is once again having a moment.
Reformation Anna Rugby Shirt
Guest in Residence Striped Rugby
Whether you opt for a silhouette that's structured or slouchy, made of lightweight cotton or warm cashmere, there are now so many ways to adopt the trend—and countless outfit ideas. Because I'm also currently obsessed with rugby shirts, I recently added two popular iterations to my wardrobe: the Striped Rugby from Gigi Hadid's Guest in Residence line and Reformation's Anna silhouette. Read on to see how I'm styling them.
Look 1: Cozy & Casual
Guest in Residence's unisex cashmere sweater is incredibly soft, with an oversized fit that's perfect for layering. To off-set the bulkier fit, I like to pair it with a mini skirt, though I've also styled it with some cozy sweatpants for simply lounging at home. For a more cohesive look, I opt for coordinating pieces with black, green, or white accents to match the top's color palette.
Look 2: Cropped & Tailored
Reformation's Anna rugby shirt is made from a thick rayon-blend fabric that holds its shape quite well. Because of its cropped, boxy fit, I think this top pairs best with structured, high-waisted denim. Done in a more muted green shade, it's slightly more versatile and simpler to style. In the summer, I can easily imagine myself wearing it with some high-waisted jorts and sandals.
For even more inspiration, I've compiled more of my favorite rugby shirts, below. They'll pair swimmingly with some equally preppy trousers and loafers, your go-to jeans and sneakers, or even a flowy skirt and ballet flats this season (and beyond).
Banana Republic Cashmere Cropped Rugby Sweater Polo
Rowing Blazers Block Stripe Rugby
Tatjana Freund is Hearst's Fashion & Luxury Commerce Editor, covering beauty, fashion and more across multiple brands. Previously, she worked at ELLE.com and Marie Claire. She's a fan of whiskey neat, podcasts that give her nightmares, and one time Zoë Kravitz laughed at a joke she made.
