What have we learned from 2024's European Football Championship? Well, that England's men's team (ahem) might actually bring it home, that Bukayo Saka has a really glam girlfriend and that, most importantly, Gareth Southgate has a new top. We've all been there, that moment where you try something on and feel really, really good in it. That must have been Southgate's feeling in the M&S changing rooms, when he felt the softness of the pure cotton as he slipped on an ivory knitted polo shirt. He was so blissed out by the whole experience that he's worn said knitted shirt for every single game.
That's right friends, we're not in the waistcoat days of 2018. That was a different time. What's not so different, however, is the Southgate effect. When in his waistcoat era, he managed to inspire so many people to buy the same M&S suit he was wearing, it sold out completely. M&S – official tailor to the England team since 2007 – says this natty knit is no exception. The £45 top – part of the brand's M&S x England collection – has completely sold out online (it's still available in stores, lest ye should start panicking) and searches for short sleeved polos, generally, are up by 30%.
Mitch Hughes, director of menswear at M&S, suggested that the polo shirt has become an 'iconic wardrobe staple', which will no doubt delight Southgate. But don't think this is some kind of happy accident. Oh no, Southgate is aware of his sartorial influence, as he revealed when speaking to GQ earlier this year: 'Whenever you put something on, you’re making some sort of a statement, aren’t you? I am conscious of that now. This year, it will be more short-sleeved knits than a suit and tie, because we’re trying to create a relaxed environment. When you’re working with young lads, you don't want to be too stiff – in what you’re doing or wearing.'
I think we've just discovered the magic ingredient behind England's success this year. In fact, other than Ollie Watkins's better-late-than-never goal, many (many) videos of Jude Bellingham giving interviews in Spanish (just me?) and just everything Saka does, this knitted tee could be the real winner of 2024's Euros. I mean, I hope the actual winner is England but, failing that, it's definitely the T-shirt.
Shop: Other Knitted Tops Gareth Southgate Might Like
www.marksandspencer.com
www.cos.com
www.marksandspencer.com
Hannah Banks-Walker is Grazia's head of fashion commerce. She has previously written for the likes of Harper's Bazaar, The Financial Times Glamour, Stylist, The Telegraph, Red, i-D and The Pool on everything from fashion to curly hair (hi!) to the patriarchy. Not necessarily in that order. Find her on Instagram and Twitter. But please don't look for her MySpace profile, which until now was the last time she wrote about herself in the third person.