The Best Affordable Polo: Target Mossimo Athletic Fit Marled 60/40 Polo – $9.99
Note: The Express Signature is on sale right now for $23.94
Brace yourselves because you’re about to read something that won’t make a lot of sense:
Sometimes polyester is a good thing.
Before many of you crap a bucket of tenpennies, know that some cotton/poly blends can feel just as good as cotton if not a little smoother. My own personal favorite t-shirt is a 50/50 blend, and it feels better than cotton. When it comes to these polos and their 60% cotton / 40% poly blend specifically, the synthetic adds an amount of stretch and durability that’s almost identical to The Express Signature.
The Mossimos used to be 100% cotton and the switch to the 60/40 poly blend wasn’t welcomed at first. Okay, sorta bagged on it a little. But then I bought one and wore it for a few weeks. They’re incredible & beat out the Express in three areas:
1. The Fit: Even more trim than the Signature. See below for the evidence.
2. The Buttons: Something about the Express button spacing can feel off. Leave two buttons undone and if you’ve got chest hair, you’re pale, or both, it looks odd. One less button on the Mossimo = perfect.
3. The Price: Ten bucks? Are you kidding?
The only real downside is the Mossimo solid polos seem to be 100% cotton. Maybe the marled look is a result of the polyester being blended in, but if you’re in an environment casual enough for a polo, a little marling should be fine.
Is it Buster Douglas knocking out Mike Tyson? No. But move over Express, there’s a new champ in town.
Your thoughts? Would you wear a $10 polo? Leave it all below…
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I have three of these, each of which I got on sale for 6 dollars. I absolutely love them. Comfortable like a tee, but classier.
I’ve got both the Express and the Mossimos (per your suggestion, Joe – thanks!), and I find that I wear the Mossimos more often. My Express polo found its way into the dryer, and shortened up quite a bit. While it’s definitely still wearable, the Mossimos fit waaay better. And you’re right – the buttons are spaced nicely.
I bought several of the Mossimos last summer. They look great untucked and dressed down with shorts or chinos and loafers. I wouldn’t wear them to the office tucked into jeans with dress shoes, but for the specific purpose that I wear them, few others come close.
BTW Joe, the headline should read “Crowning a new champ” not “Crowing a new champ”. Not trying to be a stickler just saying…
Um… whoops! Fixed. Thanks LaMar.
Check the web address spelling as well Joe.
How’s the shoulder length? I have a bad feeling these will fit me perfectly except for being way short in the shoulder area (like Mossimo v-necks)
I’m wearing one of the four Mossimo polos I have right now. These are the best polos I’ve ever owned. From the shoulder, to the arm length, button spacing to trim they are perfect for me.
I know this is out of left field, but I’ve grown quite fond of the Land’s End Canvas polos, both the jersey polos and the heritage mesh polos. The former is more casual and the latter works well with khakis and the like. I’ve bought at least 4 during the ongoing sales for about $10 each.
I’ve been learning slowly that Target does a pretty damn good job with some of their clothes. Not with others, though; I’ve never enjoyed a pair of pants from this store. I’ve got some button-ups and v-necks there though, and I’ve been pleased.
I wish these came in my size. Large is like a clown tent and medium way too tight. Feel like i have freakishly broad shoulders.
I actually prefer polos with 3 buttons rather than 2. But I agree that the Mossimo polos are great fit/finish for the price.
At $10, I’d at least buy one and give it a trial run. If I get 5-10 wears out of it, it’d be worth it. I do live near a resale shop. Plenty of polo shirts at $2 a piece.
I have one of the Mossimo blend polos from last year. I’m normally on the small side of small, but I had to size up to a medium (and still got a very tailored-looking fit). Does anyone know if the sizing is still the same, ie, quite small? I’d be tempted to buy a few more….
I’ll have to investigate and pick up 1 or 2 this weekend!
I’ve always had great luck with basics from Target store brands (tees, sweaters, polos, etc). Pretty good fit, decent quality for the price and very affordable.
I own 6 of these and they are by far my favorite. I bought a few last year and picked up some more when it started getting warmer. For the price you really can’t beat em. I’m 6′ 160lbs. and the mediums fit me perfectly.
Absolutely love them as well, since I am a super skinny guy, taking off that extra 1-1.25″ from the Express fit is perfect for me, and the Express fit feels super baggy to me now. Although it can be harder to find the colors that I am looking for now in store, so been watching eBay and such.
Gotta go with H&M. Fit is great, no stupid Express logos, and also only $10.
Yes, the sizing is still very trim so I’d go with the medium. I am right in between a S and XS in most shirts because of my small mid-section (35″ chest and 29″ smallest part of waist) so the small in these polos is perfect because of the super trim fit.
Someone with decently broad shoulders would need to probably size up, but if you just have average to above average shoulders they will land about perfect for a trim cut shirt. (With the seam resting about .25-.5″ before the shoulder falls off.)
Only bad thing I’ve noticed about them as that they pill pretty badly, at least the 100% cotton ones do.
I have four of these polos and they are with no doubt my favorites. I’ve paid for plenty of the Express Signature Polos over the yeas. They’re nice but tend to shrink in length and become too tight in the chest. After your suggestion a while back I picked up a Mossimo polo and have gone back for more. For me the best part of these are their length. This is why I love Dappered, not only have I found a better polo but have saved quite a bit in doing so. Thanks!
Thanks, Joe, for the follow-up post on these. After your first post, I went and found them at Target and found that the fit was fantastic for a skinny guy like me. But I was put off exactly because of the polyester content. This post and the subsequent comments have allayed my fears. I guess for ten bucks I should have just tried one out anyway, but I still had stars in my eyes from the $45 Luxe touch polo from BR I splurged on (which, by the way, has excellent fit and finish, but suffers from high price and limited colors). I’m definitely gonna go try one of the Mossimos now.
I recently moved to Colorado after living in the Twin Cities for five years. Who’d have thought I would miss the Mall of America and its H&M?! (Not to mention the IKEA across the street.)
A lot of H&M stuff is cheap garbage, but the handful of diamonds in the rough completely justify the store’s existence. Got my favorite linen blazer there for about $50 – fits like a dream off the rack. European clothiers could teach America a thing or two about fit.
The only nit pick I have with the Mossimo is the length. The length is great for those who tuck in the polo, but it is too long to wear on the outside. So I have Gap polos to wear over the belt and Mossimo to wear under.
Picked up two Mossimos a week or two ago and I agree with Matt, they are just a bit too long.
I’m loving the Banana Republic Vintage Wash. It’s hard to find them but the fit is superb.
Really? That’s interesting. I didn’t/haven’t noticed that problem. Just measured the backs of both an Express and Mossimo, and the Express is about a third of an inch shorter. So that’s not much there. Interesting though.
The Mossimo medium fit perfectly at first. Then after the wash and dryer I had to return it to Target. It is being resold in the children’s section.
Also haven’t had that issue either. Was it the 60/40 marled blend? Cold wash and not super-hot heat? Mine are holding up great.
I have picked up 3 of the Mossimo polo’s. I’m 5’10” 160lbs and found to be in between a small and a medium. Took the medium home, tried to shrink it, and now I’m happy with them. Great polo’s for the price.
Thanks Phil. I have pretty broad shoulders (at least that’s what my tailor says)
I bought one of these for St. Patrick’s Day because I didn’t own a green shirt that fit, and I suddenly found it in my normal rotation. I’ve bought four more in various colors since.
Couldn’t agree more. These are great, even without considering the price.
I got over my aversion to the tuck flap and picked up a couple of these. I’ll be going back for more. They’re fantastic! Super soft, cut well, good stretch while still keeping their shape.
I wear $300 jeans, $450 loafers, a $4000 watch and these polos. All I get is compliments, and because I wear them with other nice looking/fitting clothes and accessories they look like they cost $100.. Price doesnt always determine the best quality/look
Was out of town and swung by Target to pick up a few. I like them so much, I will have to get some more. Thanks!!
gonna have to try these… thanks for the tip!
I also really like the Kohl’s brand Apt. 9 modern fit solid polo. My wife gets all sorts of junk mail from Kohl’s with sales, so I gave it a try. They are on sale online for $12.99, but with some coupons you can get even more off and free shipping over $75.00. Don’t know about longevity, anyone else ever try these?
Just a note that Target seems to be clearancing select styles – Garnet Red, Nobel Grey, Emerald Green and a few other colors were marked down to $6.98, and presumably will dip lower. Steal for the price!
Also, my only qualm with Mossimo polos is (and has been) the lack of collar structure. Perhaps I’m doing it wrong, but they never seem to lay correctly and it makes me look sloppy.
I’m encountering this problem as well. Love the cut and material but the collar on the left is flattening out on me.
I was at the local Target today and their polos were on sale for $2.50. Not sure if they’re on clearance at all stores but I got myself 3.