• The Real Deal:
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The Rugby Shirt Spectrum

Ask any American designer and they'll sing the praises of a rugby shirt. Scott Sternberg pushes up the sleeves and pairs them with cords. Michael Bastian layers them over a button-down and under a jacket. Thom Browne, well he cuts them out of really luxe fabrics. Traditionally cut from a hardy cotton with five or six horizontal stripes or "hoops" in alternating colors and finished with rubber buttons, today's versions are a bit lighter, a bit trimmer and safe to wear off the field. Here are five in varying styles, whatever your budget.