Best striped rugby tops for women: meet winter’s luxe staple

In the Bazaar offices last week, no fewer than four editors turned up to work wearing the same top (not necessarily on the same day). It was simple: a striped polo jumper that was either shades of yellow or contrasting blue tones. It did, however, look really, really good with the high-waisted jeans several people paired with it, and it looked equally great tucked into one person’s kilt skirt with loafers. What’s more, it looked expensive; many of us tried to guess the designer provenance, only to be told that this luxe-looking top is, in fact, from Uniqlo.

Uniqlo x JW Anderson lambswool striped rugby polo top

Part of the high-street brand’s ongoing collaboration with JW Anderson, this polo jumper is one of the highlights of the (very good) autumn/winter 2025 collection. At just less than £35, those of us in the office who weren’t yet the proud owners of such an affordable wonder assumed we’d missed the boat; surely it would have sold out already. Not so, as it turns out. In fact, at the time of writing, both colours are available in most sizes. For now.

While Uniqlo has proven talent when it comes to making jumpers that fashion insiders love, this striped rugby top actually taps into a wider trend on the high street – and beyond. Suddenly, you may have noticed that striped, rugby-style jumpers are (almost) everywhere, from M&S to Aligne and Polo Ralph Lauren.

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Hailey Bieber in Loewe

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Rihanna in Loewe 

This is largely thanks to fashion’s “trickle down” effect. Rugby tops started trending in 2023 — you may remember Hailey Bieber and a then-pregnant Rihanna wearing Loewe’s blue and red style — when designers including The Row and Dries Van Noten included them in their collections. Since then, the trend has picked up pace, finally making it to the high street. There were rugby tops spotted at the spring/summer 2026 shows, too — the best was at Simone Rocha, albeit without stripes – suggesting that this preppy trend is here to stay.

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Dries Van Noten spring/summer 2024

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Simone Rocha spring/summer 2026

As mentioned, these tops go with everything in your wardrobe, and they’re surprisingly versatile. They’ll add polish to dressed-down staples like jeans and trainers, while giving skirts and dresses a more effortless feel. Whether you choose JW Anderson’s take for Uniqlo or buy another of the brilliant styles we’ve found on the market, you’ll find this will be a very hard working addition to your wardrobe indeed.

Uniqlo x JW Anderson lambswool polo jumper Aligne LB Ester knitted polo sweaterShop by collection Whistles ivory stripe polo shirt Claudie Pierlot striped polo jumperMassimo Dutti striped wool blend polo sweaterGant striped cotton heavy ruggerStaud Gavin striped cotton-blend jersey polo shirtRelated Story