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Riviera Polo Shirt
About Sunspel’s polos: Sunspel built its polo reputation on the Riviera, an open mesh-knit cotton polo developed in-house and now sold in dozens of colors and both trim and regular fits. The wider line runs from classic jersey polos up to knitted silk-linen styles at several times the Riviera's price.
Is the price honest?
Our take
The Riviera Polo Shirt is Sunspel's signature polo, knit from an open cotton mesh that reads lighter and airier than a standard pique. Owners praise its breathability, soft hand, and a cut that works tucked or untucked; several report it resists odor well enough for a second wear. Caveats are real: the fabric is light rather than substantial, the tonal buttons are plain plastic, and the trim cut will feel close on broader builds — Sunspel sells a regular-fit version for them.
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Write the first honest reviewThe details
- Material
- An open mesh-knit fabric in 100% Supima cotton — a looser, wider weave than most pique polos, with a soft, spongy hand rather than pique's coarseness.
- Fit
- Trim but not overly slim, generally reported true to size, with sleeves ending around mid-bicep and a body length that works tucked or untucked. Owners who prefer more room can take the separate regular-fit version rather than sizing up.
- Quality
- Owner reports are largely positive: flat-stitched seams, close inspections finding no loose threads or button faults, and fabric that survives routine washing and drying without losing shape. A few owners have noted minor stitching inconsistencies, and the plastic buttons strike some as plain for the price.
- Best for
- Warm-weather wear where breathability matters most — an unstructured, open-knit polo for people who find standard pique too heavy and are willing to pay luxury money for the difference.
- Care
- Machine wash cold and air dry to be cautious, though owners report the shirt handles routine machine washing and drying without shrinking.
How Sunspel polos hold up overall
Owners consistently praise the breathable open-mesh knit of the Riviera polo line — reviewers report it dries fast and washes and wears well. The cut is repeatedly described as very slim with a narrow chest, suiting lean builds and bunching against broader ones. One detailed owner review also flagged plastic buttons and a crooked chain stitch as sloppy details at the price.
- Strengths
- Reviewers agree the mesh-knit fabric is unusually breathable and holds up well to regular wash-and-wear use.
- Watch out for
- The very slim, narrow-chested cut is the most common complaint, and one owner called out plastic buttons and stray stitching as cheap-feeling for the price.
- Sizing
- The cut runs notably slim with a narrow chest; reviewers recommend going up one size.
About Sunspel's polos line as a whole. Sources: Sunspel Riviera Polos – The Brooks Review · Sunspel Polo Shirts & T-Shirts: Is It Worth It? (Review) | Gentleman's Gazette · I spent $650 on 6 polo brands to find out the best one! | DressedWell
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