:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/081425-ways-to-style-a-rugby-shirt-soc-cbbec2e71c1b469caada68e973fbae29.jpg "11 Sporty and Stylish Ways to Wear Rugby Shirts This Fall")
- Rugby shirts are making a style comeback, being worn by the likes of Rihanna, Taylor Swift, and Hailey Bieber.
- From streetwear-cool, Miu Miu prep, to casual sporty, there’s a variety of ways you can wear a rugby shirt.
To the untrained eye, the highly curated wardrobes of Rihanna, Taylor Swift, and Hailey Bieber have nothing in common. But there’s one key garment that unites them, transcending each of their unique styles, like an invisible string—and that item is: the humble rugby shirt.
These sporty tops are so versatile, each star has been able to find a style that fits their own specific aesthetic successfully—and if they can do it, so can you, simply by following in their seasoned footsteps. Riri, for example, wore her own turquoise style pulled up around her baby bump, with a pair of loose-fit jeans. Bieber, meanwhile, styled the exact same top with her signature leather jacket and matching boots, and Swift wore hers with a Tennessee meets Stella McCartney-style (i.e., pantsless, with riding boots).
The opportunities for styling are virtually endless, but no matter which route you go—streetwear-cool, Miu Miu prep, or casual sporty—any look they’re worn with is guaranteed to have that effortlessly cool type of vibe all the girlies are after. So while we wait for the weather to finally get cold enough to wear them, let’s peruse the most stylish ways to style rugby shirts for fall.
With Polka Dots
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In addition to rugby shirts, polka dots are set to be one of the most prevalent trends of 2025—so, naturally, combining the two looks makes for one incredible outfit. Throw your style of choice over a polka dot skirt or even a dress for a whimsical print-mix moment. It’s a more eclectic vibe than we typically see with rugby shirts, but is nonetheless stylish.
Rihanna-Style (As a Crop Top)
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You don’t have to be generating life to copy this Rihanna-approved styling hack. Really, anyone can tuck their rugby shirt into their bra strap to turn it into a cropped style. From there, pair it with lots of denim for that laid-back Riri vibe.
With Bermuda Shorts
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Category is: transitional dressing. When the calendar says “fall,” but the weather says “summer,” reach for this outfit combination. The baggy shirt/baggy shorts pairing will give you that breezy feeling, while aesthetically, giving autumn.
With Cargos
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This is probably the most traditional way to style a rugby shirt, because it plays up the shirt’s sporty origins. Whether you go for pants or a skirt, oversized stripes look so chill when paired with those voluminous pockets. Finish with trendy sneakers and hoop earrings to complete the IG baddie vibe.
With Leopard Pants
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In the last 12 months, long-sleeve polo shirts—or rugby shirts, as they’ve recently been re-branded—have become an integral part of my androgynous-leaning wardrobe. And my favorite way to style them? With my trusty Damson Madder cargo pants. To be fair, this is true of pretty much anything in my closet, but especially my collection of rugbies.
As a Dress
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In Taylor Swift we trust! And Taylor Swift wore her rugby shirt without pants, as a makeshift dress. I recommend following in her footsteps—just make sure to shop styles that are long enough to fit the bill.
With Jorts
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If summer 2025 taught me anything, it’s that there’s simply nothing that can’t be worn with a good pair of longline jorts. Naturally, my first move come fall will be to test this theory with my favorite Rowing Blazers rugby shirt and a pair of sleek knee-high boots.
With Baggy Jeans
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This outfit is a perfect example of one you can throw on in two seconds, with minimal accessorizing, and show up to the function looking like the coolest person there. It’s a streetwear classic combo that has really stood the test of time.
With a Bubble Skirt
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If all this androgyny isn’t speaking to your soul, this hack might be a bit more up your alley. Styling a boxy polo shirt with voluminous, bubbly bottoms gives it a softer feel befitting of those with a more feminine style.
Miu Miu-Core
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If ever you find yourself struggling to style a rugby shirt, just google one of Miu Miu’s runway shows. As a pivotal item in their recent collections, it should provide plenty of inspo for you (ex: khaki shirts, layered tops, and suede sneakers).
With Loafers
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Embrace the shirt’s academic vibes with a pair of polished loafers. Styled with a skirt or trousers, the pairing is preppy, but in a cool-girl kind of way.
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