Let's picture it together – the sun is shining and you've been dying to break out those denim jorts you've been dying to wear for months. It's finally (!) hot enough to bare those knees and bask in the warmth of the outdoors, and while you could wear them with anything, let us propose an option you might not have considered: the rugby top. SS26 runways saw countless iterations spring up across Fashion Month, and we couldn't help but take notice.
While we're seeing subtle changes in silhouette across styles – think slimline and cropped, versus boxy and oversized – the hallmark contrasting collar and colourful statement stripes remain a mainstay.
Trust us, you don't need to be pitchside to wear this trend. The key is to lean into the sporty style by matching up with pieces like Adidas Firebird shorts and a Mary Jane trainer, or opt for intentional contrast and dress it up for a slightly preppy vibe with a pencil skirt and sling-backs.
Stuck on where to start your hunt for the perfect rugby top? Look no further than the high street, who have it nailed. A prime example would be Next's blue and brown iteration. It comes in one of this season's coolest colour combos, a mid-weight cotton and is incredibly versatile. Also, it's £19! It pairs especially well with dark wash denim and a strappy sandal for a casual day when you're doing a little bit of everything.
Shop some more of our favourite rugby tops here:
Angel Cordova-Todd is the Fashion Assistant at Cosmopolitan UK, Red and Prima. Having previously spent time at Elle UK, The Sunday Times Style, Net-a-Porter and The Outnet she’s a budding shopping specialist. You’ll typically find her overpopulating her online wishlists, prepping threads for our next cover star, swimming in Bermuda, or internally debating whether she should root for Piastri or Hamilton during a Grand Prix (most likely both..).
