Polo shirts balance a smart-casual aesthetic with aplomb. The original polo shirt was brought over by British aristocrats from India in the 19th century, but these were made from heavy fabrics to protect polo players from the harsh British weather. It wasn’t until several years later, in the early 20th century, that French tennis whizz René Lacoste revolutionised the polo shirt (tennis players would previously play in full shirt and tie) by shortening the sleeves and using a lightweight, flexible jersey material. The version of the garment he wore at the 1926 US Open Championship is the prototype of the modern polo shirt beloved today. At Thomas Pink, we’ve created a contemporary long sleeve polo shirt made from pure Egyptian cotton with a mercerised finish to give it a gentle lustre and brilliant depth of colour. This makes it stylish and smart enough to wear with tailored pieces as an alternative to a button-down shirt – and with a dash of retro flair.

If it’s versatility you’re after, then you won’t get a better all-rounder than the zip-neck sweater. Sometimes known as a “half zip” sweatshirt, this smart-casual staple has emerged as one of the most popular menswear styles around, with The Guardian recently commenting that it has become ‘the new status symbol of men of a certain position’. This is due to the zip neck’s current popularity with politicians (Rishi Sunak), football managers (surprise style icon Gareth Southgate) and even royalty (Prince Harry). Whether you’re heading to the boardroom or a weekend pub trip, it’s super easy to slip on over a crisp white shirt or plain T-shirt for an extra layer of warmth. The Thomas Pink Merino wool zip neck sweater comes in a variety of colours, ranging from black and grey to eyecatching turquoise, and is made from pure Australian merino wool for optimum comfort.

There’s something undeniably stylish about the classic crew neck sweater. There’s an athleisure touch to this garment but it still has a refined aesthetic overall – and it happens to go with just about everything in your wardrobe, making it perfect for layering. The crew neck is a round-neck, collarless-style jumper that sits across the collarbone close to the wearer. The name was first coined in 1939 and comes from the sweaters worn by the rowers (ie, the crew) on a boat. It looks chic with a plain white round-neck T-shirt peeking through, or a shirt collar tucked in. Thomas Pink has a range of crew neck styles that are woven in Italy and available in various colours. But if you’re going to invest in just one crew neck jumper, make it our grey knitted crew neck, which also features the classic ribbed accents for an elevated touch.

It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly when roll necks (also known as polo necks and turtlenecks) first came into fashion. After all, Queen Elizabeth I and her fellow Tudors were known to favour a ruffled high neck – the more opulent the better. The style became popular during the 1940s and 1950s, with movie stars such as Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn looking effortlessly chic in slinky black numbers. Then it was the turn of The Beatles, Andy Warhol and beatnik poets to adopt the look in the Swinging Sixties. These days the roll neck has become a modern staple and a unique alternative to the shirt when paired with a blazer. It’s classy and timeless, and modern iterations offer wider choices, from streamline silhouettes to chunky. Thomas Pink’s Merino wool roll neck sweaters come in neutral and classic shades to help build the foundation of your wardrobe. The sleek silhouette is easy to wear while still providing plenty of warmth and comfort.

On the opposing end of the neckline spectrum is the V-neck. There are no prizes for guessing how this name came to pass but you may not know that the style dates back to the 1920s, when chunky knit V-necks were popular in sports such as tennis and cricket. Out of all the styles listed here, the V-neck works best with a shirt and tie, because whatever’s worn underneath needs to be more considered. Have fun with the preppy vibe of our Merino wool V-neck sweaters, with contrasting shirt and tie prints and a blazer or jacket to pull the look together