Spring saw the renaissance of the striped rugby top for women and if you haven't noticed, they're something of a big deal for autumn too. They've become so in vogue that you're lucky to find a rugby top in stock (fear not, I have found some good ones for you). Preppy yet casual, I can see why everyone from fashion influencers at London Fashion Week to This Morning's 70-year-old style presenter Jo Good declared a women's rugby top as her "favourite trend". The rugby top is that delicious mix of sporty without being slouchy, leaning into an 80s vibe especially when worn with jeans and loafers - my personal favourite way to wear the look.
- The classic one: Superdry Striped Rugby Top, £39.99 / $65
- The burgundy stripe: Hush Rugby Top, £55 / $100
- The knitted top: M&S Knitted Rugby Top, £36 / $80
- The trending rugby top: Reformation Anna Rugby Top, £98 / $98
- The black and white rugby top: Boden Collared Rugby Top, £55 / $89
Remember when Kristen Bell wore a rugby shirt Netflix's Nobody Wants This? Her striped Siedres Ole Rugby Polo Sweater immediately went to the top of my wish list, as I loved the bright colour combo.
And if you thought it was a trend for the younger crowd, think again. This is an any age top that looks chic and cool no matter how many candles you blew out at your last birthday. Case in point? This Morning's stylist Jo Good, 70, showcased how versatile rugby tops for women are, too. She inspired me with her styling of the "polished preppy" top, layering a £35 Omnes Rugby Shirt over a white shirt, and giving the look a quiet luxury vibe with a blazer and wide leg trousers on the model. Jo declared: "I love this! This is my favourite, I love it. We had cricket jumpers, now we have rugby shirts with a bit of a difference. I wouldn’t have chosen until I put it together and styled it."
Cat Deeley agreed, saying the style reminded her of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. "It's old-school, but it's a classic."
© GettyOne look at the recent street style snaps from New York and London Fashion Week proved they're still a hot ticket - many of the fashion goers were spotted in one, wearing them with skirts, jeans and as dresses.
How to wear a rugby top
I personally love how this top can transcend ages and styles to be a really useful piece of kit in your wardrobe. Like my HELLO! Fashion colleagues wrote in their article on the trend, it's a top that gives you instant cool-girl status be it with a flippy mini skirt and chunky flats or with jeans and sneakers. They can be knitted, cotton or lightweight, mega striped, colourful and black and white too.
© InstagramIt's been spotted on Hailey Bieber and Gigi Hadid, Frankie Bridge, and Taylor Swift, who made it more feminine, and Princess Diana used to wear her knitted rugby shirt with white jeans - an aesthetic I'll definitely be copying.
I love how influencer Moicocon embraced the stunning autumnal colour combo of chocolate brown and light blue, wearing her striped rugby top with suede accessories including suede brown loafers. You can easily borrow from the boys too, wearing your husband or partner's oversized rugby top or even your teenage son's; if it has a number on the back, it's even more authentic. Look for ones in lightweight knits for autumn into winter, giving a cosy take on spring's trend.
© GettyHow I chose the best rugby tops for women
- Style: Stripes, a V-neck and a collar are the three essentials you'll find on all the rugby tops listed in this edit. The colourways will be from black and white to multi coloured.
- Fabric: I've included both cotton and knitted versions, to suit the ever-changing weather.
- New-in: I've filtered my search to the new in sections of the featured high street brands, so you're getting the latest pieces and not old stock.
- Price: This is not just a micro trend, but it's classic too; that doesn't mean you need to spend loads on a rugby top. I've kept them all under £75 / $100 so you can tap into this trend without worrying about your Klarna payments.
Shop the best rugby tops for women
1/10
M&S Soft Touch Striped Knitted Rugby Top
© M&S- Colour: Camel and black or grey and black
- Sizes: Available in UK sizes 6 - 18
Editor's Note:
Preppy stripes in a rugby top is just catnip for us preppy style fans. This is one of M&S' bestsellers right now, as shoppers rush to snap up this easy to wear, long sleeved knitted rugby top.
2/10
New Look Rugby Top
© New Look- Colour: Burgundy and white
- Sizes: Available in UK sizes 6 - 18
Editor's Notes:
New Look's honed in on one of the most classic rugby top colours - burgundy. With long sleeves, a cotton blend and classic collar, it's a super sweet version that'll look super chic with indigo denim.
3/10
Boden Collared Rugby Top
© Boden- Colour: Navy and white
- Sizes: Available in UK sizes 6 - 22
Editor's Notes:
This Boden striped design is preppy with a nautical twist, personified with a gently scalloped collar.
4/10
Reformation Anna Rugby Top
© Reformation- Colour: Blue and white, green mix, tan mix
- Sizes: Available in XS - XL
Editor's Notes:
This Reformation rugby shirt is handily cropped, so it's great for tucking into high waist jeans or layering over a smart shirt. The soft cotton makes it a super comfy fit, too.
5/10
Joules Rugby Top
© Joules- Colour: Multi
- Sizes: Available in UK 6 - 26
Editor's Notes:
Joules has cornered the market on rugby tops, and this version is about as classic as they come with wider stripes, placket embroidery and the boxy shape helps it to be modern too.
6/10
LAAGAM Rugby Top
© ASOS- Colour: Brown and blue mix
- Sizes: Available in sizes XS - XL
Editor's Notes:
I absolutely love everything about this knitted rugby top. The colours are cute, the fabric soft and ribbed texture is ideal for those of us who don't want anything too sporty looking but love the trend. Wear with white jeans and loafers.
7/10
H&M Knitted Rugby Top
© H&M- Colour: Red and navy, taupe and navy.
- Sizes: Available in sizes XS - XL
Editor's Notes:
Structured yet somehow delicate, this is the sort of rugby top you can throw on and instantly look cool; the soft cotton, the loose fit and the slouchy shoulders are why it's one of H&M's bestsellers.
8/10
Hush Cotton Stripe Rugby Top
© Hush- Colour: Brown and white
- Sizes: Available in sizes XS - XL
Editor's Notes:
This lightweight top is a cool, on trend brown adn white mix; wear with denim, wide leg trousers or even tailored slacks.
9/10
Cos Rugby Top
© Cos- Colour: Black and white
- Sizes: Available in sizes XS - L
Editor's Notes:
If you do want to keep things classic with stripes, let Cos' timeless top do the work with its nod to the trend. From the shirt collar to the breton stripe, it's understated style at its finest.
10/10
Beaufort & Blake Rugby Top
© Beaufort & Blake- Colour: Multi
- Sizes: Available in UK sizes XS - XL
Editor's Notes:
I love the twist on this classic rugby shirt - note the denim collar, adding an extra dose of preppy to this classic style.
