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Comparison Luxury polo shirts and tees

Sunspel Riviera Polo vs John Smedley Isis Polo: which one should you buy?

Quick answer

Buy the Sunspel Riviera Polo if you want luxury quality for less. Buy the John Smedley Isis Polo instead if you want a fine knit polo.

By Opulique Editorial Team Updated 1 min read

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Sunspel Riviera Polo
Buy

Sunspel Riviera Polo

Best for Best value

Typically $150–$190

Check Price on Amazon Paid link
John Smedley Isis Polo
Buy

John Smedley Isis Polo

Best for Knit polo

Typically $200–$260

Check Price on Amazon Paid link

Quick comparison

FeatureSunspel Riviera PoloJohn Smedley Isis Polo
VerdictBuyBuy
Typical price$150–$190$200–$260
Best forBest valueKnit polo
Key featureRiviera polo in Q100 cottonSea Island cotton polo
FabricCotton meshSea Island cotton
FitRegularSlim
DetailNo logoKnitted collar
Made inEnglandEngland
Where to buyCheck Price Paid linkCheck Price Paid link

Main differences

Fabric

Sunspel Riviera Polo: Cotton mesh; John Smedley Isis Polo: Sea Island cotton.

Fit

Sunspel Riviera Polo: Regular; John Smedley Isis Polo: Slim.

Detail

Sunspel Riviera Polo: No logo; John Smedley Isis Polo: Knitted collar.

Made in

Sunspel Riviera Polo: England; John Smedley Isis Polo: England.

Why buy it

Sunspel Riviera Polo: Riviera polo in Q100 cotton; John Smedley Isis Polo: sea Island cotton polo.

Made for

Sunspel Riviera Polo: best value; John Smedley Isis Polo: knit polo.

Usual price

Sunspel Riviera Polo: $150–$190; John Smedley Isis Polo: $200–$260.

Which should you choose?

Choose the Sunspel Riviera Polo if you

  • you want luxury quality for less
  • value excellent value
Check Price Paid link

Choose the John Smedley Isis Polo if you

  • you want a fine knit polo
  • value superb
Check Price Paid link

If neither feels right

Neither is the only answer. See every piece we would buy (and the ones we would skip) in our list of the best luxury polo shirts and tees.

Not sure about either? Consider these

Sunspel Classic T-Shirt

Sunspel · Luxury polo shirts and tees

Sunspel Classic T-Shirt

Buy it if you want the best basic tee.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Best tee
Typical price
$85–$110

Pros

  • Superb fabric
  • Fair price

Cons

  • Plain
Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review
Brunello Cucinelli Knit Polo

Brunello Cucinelli · Luxury polo shirts and tees

Brunello Cucinelli Knit Polo

Buy it if you want refined.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Refined knit
Typical price
$700–$950

Pros

  • Refined

Cons

  • Pricey
Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review

Frequently asked questions

Sunspel Riviera Polo or John Smedley Isis Polo: which should I buy?

Buy the Sunspel Riviera Polo if you want luxury quality for less. Buy the John Smedley Isis Polo instead if you want a fine knit polo.

Is the price difference worth it?

The Sunspel Riviera Polo usually costs $150–$190 and the John Smedley Isis Polo $200–$260. Pay more only if the differences above matter to you.

Opulique Editorial Team

Part of the Opulique research team. We compare specifications, documentation and real-world trade-offs so you can decide faster.

How we research products Editorial policy

Sunspel Riviera Polo or John Smedley Isis Polo: the full reasoning

Sunspel Riviera Polo or John Smedley Isis Polo? Both are strong luxury polo shirts and tees, which is exactly why the choice is hard. The short version first: buy the Sunspel Riviera Polo if you want luxury quality for less, and buy the John Smedley Isis Polo if you want a fine knit polo. The rest of this page explains why, with usual US prices.

Where they differ

The Sunspel Riviera Polo wins on Riviera polo in Q100 cotton. The John Smedley Isis Polo answers with sea Island cotton polo. Fabric: Cotton mesh on the Sunspel Riviera Polo, Sea Island cotton on the John Smedley Isis Polo. Fit: Regular on the Sunspel Riviera Polo, Slim on the John Smedley Isis Polo. Detail: No logo on the Sunspel Riviera Polo, Knitted collar on the John Smedley Isis Polo. Made in: England on the Sunspel Riviera Polo, England on the John Smedley Isis Polo.

Reasons to buy the Sunspel Riviera Polo

Excellent value, Great fabric. What to accept: plain. Usual price: $150–$190. Our verdict: buy. Read the full Sunspel Riviera Polo review.

Reasons to buy the John Smedley Isis Polo

Superb, Value. What to accept: plain. Usual price: $200–$260. Our verdict: buy. Read the full John Smedley Isis Polo review.

Neither one?

Our list of the best luxury polo shirts and tees has every other piece with its own call. Fabric: long-staple cotton pique and fine knitted cotton or silk keep shape and color after many washes.

Also consider the Sunspel Classic T-Shirt ($85–$110): supima cotton T-shirt. Buy it if you want the best basic tee.

Also consider the Brunello Cucinelli Knit Polo ($700–$950): cotton knit polo. Buy it if you want refined.

Buyer tip

Polos and tees go on sale each summer; buy navy, white and gray, which never date.

Buying in Europe: Italian tailoring uses chest sizes such as IT 48 or 50 (about a US 38 or 40), while knitwear and outerwear use S–XL or IT sizes depending on the house. A European tailor can adjust sleeves and hems on any jacket.

Luxury prices move in a different rhythm from everyday shopping. The great houses (Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Rolex) raise prices once or twice a year, often in January and in spring, and almost never discount their icons. Seasonal pieces, colors and many shoes, coats and knitwear drop 30–50% in the end-of-season sales in January and from late June. Watches from brands such as Omega, TAG Heuer, Longines and Breitling, and most fragrance, see the best prices around Prime Day and Black Friday. Judge any deal against the usual price we show.