While we all know athleisure is a key part of most of our wardrobes nowadays, a cult athleisure piece may have just resurfaced from the 90s, and it might surprise you. Seen on the likes of Princess Diana in the late 90s, rugby shirts have now come back into fashion, with a host of influencers and celebrities recently sporting them, including Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner, among many others.
Polished yet preppy, rugby shirts are set to take over the high street this spring. Slightly more wearable and versatile than football shirts, this sporty style is a kit we can't resist this season. Whether you prefer a classic Breton style or love a neutral knitted option, there's a host of chic varieties for you to shop now.
Closer's pick of the best rugby shirts, at a glance
If you're wondering how to wear this off-duty top, take inspiration from Princess Diana who wore a pink and blue striped rugby shirt back in 1997, which she styled with white cropped jeans and matching blue loafers. You could even pair a rugby shirt with any choice of denim, from dark denim jeans to a denim midi skirt for that effortless blend of boho-preppy chic.
Or, if you want to give your rugby shirt a more contemporary feel, try pairing it with cargos like Gigi or jeans and Birkenstocks like Kendall. When spring/summer finally hits, you could even try wearing it with your choice of denim shorts or linen trousers with retro trainers.
With a posh yet iconic off-duty feel, the renaissance of rugby shirts is a trend we can definitely get behind, and quite frankly, anything Princess Diana wore is worth recreating, in our opinion. So, to help you out on your hunt for the best rugby shirts for women, we've hand-picked 10 of our favourites on the high street below.
SHOP: Best rugby shirts for women
Best designer rugby shirt
Ralph Lauren/Selfridgeswww.selfridges.com
Just like Princess Diana's with its pastel blue and pink stripes, you can find this rugby shirt in the men's section in Ralph Lauren.
Best trending rugby shirt
M&Swww.marksandspencer.com
Anything that's trending from M&S is worth taking note of, especially this white and navy striped rugby shirt. So versatile, this rugby shirt will naturally blend into your existing spring wardrobe.
Best pink and red rugby shirt
Joules/Nextwww.next.co.uk
Pink and red is one of the best colour combos, and we think it adds a feminine finish to the typical sporty style.
Best affordable rugby shirt
New Lookwww.newlook.com
Seeing as burgundy was everywhere this autumn/winter, why not add the colour to your spring outfits? Affordable yet chic, this rugby shirt is a great way to try out the trend without breaking the bank.
Best pink rugby shirt
H&Mwww2.hm.com
Pink and brown is another colour combination we can definitely get onboard with, and we love how cosy this one from Monki looks for this upcoming season. Wear it with jeans, skirts, shorts, linen trousers, the list is endless.
Best multicoloured rugby shirt
Joules/Nextwww.next.co.uk
If you're after a bold rugby shirt, this colourful rugby shirt from Joules won't disappoint. Perfect for your weekend wardrobe, this gorgeous rugby shirt is crafted from cotton, making it built to last and soft on the skin.
Best green rugby shirt
ASOSwww.asos.com
If you're anything like me and love green, then this rugby shirt will definitely catch your eye. Versatile enough to wear all year round, the styling options are endless each season.
Best neutral rugby shirt
Uniqlowww.uniqlo.com
Taking it back to basics, this Uniqlo jumper is a knitted take on the traditional rugby shirt. With a similar boxy style, this neutral jumper will become your go-to for the office, work and everything in between.
Best bright rugby shirt
Levi'swww.levi.com
Another bold rugby shirt that we had to include was this vibrant option from Levi's. This rugby shirt is giving us a sporty meets vintage aesthetic, and we're here for it.
Best slogan rugby shirt
Boohoowww.boohoo.com
Casual yet stylish, this slogan rugby shirt is great for those who lean towards more of a minimalistic style.
Image credits: @Caitlin_Marwaha/ @Georgia.Louise1/@missy_elz/LTK
Christina Geggus is a Commercial Content Writer at Closer. She covers fashion, beauty, homes and anything trending. When not writing, she can be found at her favourite Blaze gym class or on long walks with her loved ones with an overpriced coffee.