The Rugby Shirt: More Than Just a Top

I don’t pull on a jersey to run out on a Saturday anymore. Those days are long gone. Now it’s nursery runs, workouts squeezed in between chores and meetings, and trying to keep up with the young'uns. But every time I throw on a rugby shirt, something clicks.

It’s a connection back to the game. To the collisions, the mud, the mates, the buzz of a changing room that you never really find anywhere else.

Where It All Started

The rugby shirt wasn’t designed for fashion. It was made to survive. Heavy cotton so you couldn’t rip it to shreds. A collar tough enough to grab. Rubber buttons so they wouldn’t break your teeth in a tackle.

That DNA is still there, even in the ones we wear day-to-day. You can feel the toughness, the weight, the sense that this thing was built for a scrap. It’s why even off the field, it carries authority.

Why I Still Wear Them

1. It feels honest
In a world where ordinary sweatshirts and sweaters predominate, rugby shirts, with their distinctive styling and colourful stripes, turn heads; they’re not loud, but they are different.

2. It bridges worlds
I can wear one down the park with the kids, then head straight out for a pint without changing. Try that with a gym top or a dress shirt.

3. It lasts
The good ones don’t just survive; they get better. The collar softens, the cotton fades, and suddenly it feels like it’s lived a life alongside you.

4. It keeps me connected
When you’re not lacing up the boots anymore, you grab hold of the pieces that still link you back. For me, it’s the shirts. They’re a quiet nod to the game without having to say a word.

What Makes a Proper Rugby

There are plenty of cheap versions out there, but a true rugby shirt has a few non-negotiables:

Heavy jersey cotton - thick enough to handle a tackle, even if all it’s tackling now is the weekly shop.

A contrast collar - usually white twill, standing proud.

Rubber buttons - born from practicality, but a detail that matters.

Stripes or solids - the classic hoops are timeless, but plain versions still carry the same weight.

A fit that works - not skin-tight like the modern pro kits, not drowning you either. Just square on the shoulders, straight down the body.

How I Wear Mine Now

Wearing a rugby shirt is stupidly simple.

For a casual look, pair it with dark or light denim and a pair of sneakers, and you’re good to go.

If you want to dress things up a bit from there, swap the jeans for chinos, tuck in the rugby shirt, add a leather belt, and swap the sneakers for chukkas, leather boots, or loafers. You’ve now entered smart casual territory.

Go ahead and add a rugby shirt to your wardrobe. They’ve got a rough-and-tumble pedigree, are durable and distinct, and with no more effort than donning jeans and a sweatshirt, will give you a more put-together look.

Closing Thought

I might not play anymore, but the game is still in me. It always will be. Pulling on a rugby shirt doesn’t replace the pitch, the tackles, or the bruises. But it reminds me of them. It’s a small piece of the game I can carry into everyday life.

That’s why it’s more than just a top. It’s a thread back to who we were, and who we still are underneath.