The Polo shirt is a simple but timeless piece of clothing. As a classier alternative to the traditional T-shirt, you can easily dress this up or down by adding key pieces to complement it. With its distinctive collar, buttons, and breathable fabric, it’s an item you can wear to any occasion. Whether the temperature rises or there is a drop in mercury, here are the best ways to wear a polo shirt.
Polo Shirt Styles
Classic Cotton Polo Shirts
The classic polo shirt was invented in the late 10th century and was the first item of clothing with button-down collars. This piece of apparel revolutionized menswear as we know it today, so why not wear one with pride? The traditional style is essential for every wardrobe and can be dressed up for casual and smart casual occasions. For the fit, make sure the buttons don’t sit too low; otherwise, it can look like a V-neck. Choose a polo shirt that suits your style, and don’t be afraid to try a bold color.
Long Sleeve Polo Shirt
Although polo shirts are typically seen in the warmer months, it doesn’t mean they’re exclusive to summer. Long sleeve polo shirts look fantastic when the temperature drops and can be styled in several ways. For a casual feel, combine it with a pair of chinos, sneakers, and a leather jacket – a timeless combination that looks great on anyone. The polo is an excellent clothing choice when you don’t know what to wear. It’s easy to dress up or down and works in every season.
Short-Sleeve Polo Shirt
Show off your muscles in style with a short-sleeve polo shirt. The classic design behind this clothing is timeless and works well when combined with jeans, chinos, or even suit pants. Dress it up by donning a blazer with loafers, or keep it relaxed with sneakers and jeans. You can wear this stylish item in many ways; all you need is a bit of confidence, and you’re set.
Knitted Polo Shirts
Knitted polo shirts work well for warmer and cooler months. Made from cotton or wool, they have a soft and cozy feel that looks great when styled with a suede jacket and slim tapered trousers to tap into that 1950s Hollywood vibe.
Polo Shirt Outfits
Polo Shirt and Sweatpants
Keep it relaxed and cool with a polo shirt and sweatpants. The smart top half gets an instant casual vibe with the comfortable bottoms. Polish off your look with stylish low-top sneakers, snapback, and a weekend bag. To avoid looking sloppy, ensure the clothes are fitted and clean – there’s a fine line between athleisure and messy.
Polo Shirt and Shorts
When the weather gets too hot to handle, up the ante with a polo shirt and shorts. From denim to chinos, it’s an effortless outfit that will have you looking super cool. Opt for monochrome colors to create a streamlined and timeless style or try a separate combination. For casual days, keep the polo untucked and ensure it’s well-fitted.
Polo Shirt and Blazer
From a casual dinner with your mates to business casual workdays, a polo shirt with a blazer works wonders together. Wear a white or black polo shirt with a dark suit for more formal events. To add some fun to the mix, try a polo shirt with color to stand out in the crowd.
Polo Shirt and Chinos
Sitting between semi-formal and smart casual, chinos are a great choice for finishing an outfit with a polo shirt. Keep your look polished and sleek by tucking your top half into the pants, and complete the look with white sneakers, loafers, boat shoes, or derby shoes.
When to Wear a Polo Shirt
Casual Attire
Polo shirts are ideal for casual occasions. They look great paired with jeans, sweatpants, or shorts. For a relaxed Miami vibe, you can also wear many different shoe styles, such as loafers, sneakers, boat shoes, and espadrilles.
Smart Casual Attire
Add a relaxed vibe to any smart casual outfit by rocking a polo shirt with trousers and a blazer. The polo is a classier alternative to the traditional T-shirt and is easy to dress up or down, depending on the occasion. Darker shades such as navy, grey, and charcoal are an instant combo for a polished ensemble, but don’t be afraid to inject a pop of color so you can stand out.
Polo Shirt Outfit Tips
- Keeping the top buttons done up is an easy way to create a polished ensemble.
- The fit of a polo shirt shouldn’t be too tight or loose, so make sure you can move around comfortably.
- It’s best to tuck the polo shirt into your pants for formal events.
- Add a blazer to your ensemble to dress a polo shirt up or down.
What to Wear with a Polo Shirt FAQs
Which polo shirt brand is the best?
You can't go wrong with a classic polo shirt from Polo Ralph Lauren with its iconic horse logo.
How many polo shirts should a man own?
Polo shirts are a versatile wardrobe staple for casual and smart-casual occasions. Style experts recommend men own five – three short-sleeve and two long-sleeve.
How do men wear polo shirts?
Polo shirts can be styled in different ways for different occasions. Wear them with sweatpants for an athleisure look, with shorts for a relaxed yet stylish summer option, with chinos all year round, or under a blazer for the ultimate smart-casual outfit.
Are polo shirts attractive?
A clean polo shirt that fits well can be part of an attractive outfit for a guy. However, they are sometimes associated with the 'frat boy' and 'prep school' stereotypes, so don't pop the collar and choose your polo shirts wisely; knitted polo shirts have a more streamlined, designer look.
Alexandra Feiam is an experienced fashion writer who holds a degree in journalism. She has an impressive portfolio and expertise working as the Editor at Power Retail and Commercial Content Editor at Newscorp. Ally has been writing for The TrendSpotter since 2018, and her work has been featured in notable publications such as The Herald Sun, Arirang TV South Korea, Kidspot, The House of Wellness, and The Daily Telegraph.
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