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Comparison Luxury polo shirts and tees

Sunspel Riviera Polo vs Orlebar Brown Sebastian Polo: which one should you buy?

Quick answer

Buy the Sunspel Riviera Polo if you want luxury quality for less. Buy the Orlebar Brown Sebastian Polo instead if you want resort.

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Sunspel Riviera Polo
Buy

Sunspel Riviera Polo

Best for Best value

Typically $150–$190

Check Price on Amazon Paid link
Orlebar Brown Sebastian Polo
Buy

Orlebar Brown Sebastian Polo

Best for Resort polo

Typically $200–$300

Check Price on Amazon Paid link

Quick comparison

FeatureSunspel Riviera PoloOrlebar Brown Sebastian Polo
VerdictBuyBuy
Typical price$150–$190$200–$300
Best forBest valueResort polo
Key featureRiviera polo in Q100 cottonTerry polo
FabricCotton meshCotton terry
FitRegularRegular
DetailNo logoKnitted collar
Made inEnglandVaries by line
Where to buyCheck Price Paid linkCheck Price Paid link

Main differences

Fabric

Sunspel Riviera Polo: Cotton mesh; Orlebar Brown Sebastian Polo: Cotton terry.

Fit

Sunspel Riviera Polo: Regular; Orlebar Brown Sebastian Polo: Regular.

Detail

Sunspel Riviera Polo: No logo; Orlebar Brown Sebastian Polo: Knitted collar.

Made in

Sunspel Riviera Polo: England; Orlebar Brown Sebastian Polo: Varies by line.

Why buy it

Sunspel Riviera Polo: Riviera polo in Q100 cotton; Orlebar Brown Sebastian Polo: terry polo.

Made for

Sunspel Riviera Polo: best value; Orlebar Brown Sebastian Polo: resort polo.

Usual price

Sunspel Riviera Polo: $150–$190; Orlebar Brown Sebastian Polo: $200–$300.

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 Orlebar Brown Sebastian Polo if you

  • you want resort
  • value fun
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
John Smedley Isis Polo

John Smedley · Luxury polo shirts and tees

John Smedley Isis Polo

Buy it if you want a fine knit polo.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Knit polo
Typical price
$200–$260

Pros

  • Superb
  • Value

Cons

  • Plain

Frequently asked questions

Sunspel Riviera Polo or Orlebar Brown Sebastian Polo: which should I buy?

Buy the Sunspel Riviera Polo if you want luxury quality for less. Buy the Orlebar Brown Sebastian Polo instead if you want resort.

Is the price difference worth it?

The Sunspel Riviera Polo usually costs $150–$190 and the Orlebar Brown Sebastian Polo $200–$300. 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.

Sunspel Riviera Polo or Orlebar Brown Sebastian Polo: the full reasoning

Sunspel Riviera Polo or Orlebar Brown Sebastian 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 Orlebar Brown Sebastian Polo if you want resort. 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 Orlebar Brown Sebastian Polo answers with terry polo. Fabric: Cotton mesh on the Sunspel Riviera Polo, Cotton terry on the Orlebar Brown Sebastian Polo. Fit: Regular on the Sunspel Riviera Polo, Regular on the Orlebar Brown Sebastian Polo. Detail: No logo on the Sunspel Riviera Polo, Knitted collar on the Orlebar Brown Sebastian Polo. Made in: England on the Sunspel Riviera Polo, Varies by line on the Orlebar Brown Sebastian 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 Orlebar Brown Sebastian Polo

Fun. What to accept: pricey. Usual price: $200–$300. Our verdict: buy. Read the full Orlebar Brown Sebastian 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 John Smedley Isis Polo ($200–$260): sea Island cotton polo. Buy it if you want a fine knit polo.

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.