Polo shirts should be an easy item to style, right? They offer great versatility – you can wear them with shorts, denim, chinos, dress slacks, and even a sport coat or blazer. But a lot of men still get it wrong. We’ll explore the basics of how to wear a polo shirt, as well as different styling options depending on your personal aesthetic.
Get the fit right
A well-fitting polo shirt should flatter your body shape. The opening of the button collar creates small lines going from the middle of your chest out towards your shoulders, which can accentuate the ideal masculine v-shape physique. When thinking of how to wear a polo shirt, getting the fit right is the most important detail.
Too often you’ll see a man sporting a polo that’s a size too large, with extra fabric pooling and swaying around the waist and the shoulder seams halfway down the arm. This does not flatter any body shape. The pictures below illustrate poor sizing. If you try on a polo and it looks anything like the images below, consider sizing down.
On the other side of the spectrum, you also have those who go too tight with the fit of their polo shirt. This mistake can restrict your mobility and give off an uncomfortable appearance. Even if you have a muscular physique. A polo shirt should still look comfortable and exude a relaxed vibe.
Consider your body shape
If you’re in great shape, wearing a polo that’s too big will not complement your physique. Size down and make sure to choose a style that’s cut in a slim fit.
Most often, however, it’s men who are larger that tend to think a larger polo will hide their extra weight. In truth, this will actually have the opposite effect. You will look bigger, and the extra fabric will drape in odd ways, giving a sloppy appearance. Even if you are larger, a well-fitting polo is the best way to enhance your build. Make sure the shoulder seams are over your shoulders and that the body of the shirt offers a relaxed fit. The shape of a polo shirt will naturally bring your shoulders out a bit, and the lack of excess fabric around the body will slim down your midsection.
Getting the fit right will enhance your physique and make you look better, no matter your size or shape. The gentlemen below show you how well-fitting polo shirts can have a slimming effect with a larger frame.
Dressiness consistency
While “dressiness” may or may not be a real word, it refers to how casual, or dressy, your attire is. Since polo shirts fall right in the middle of this spectrum, you can match them with a wide variety of other pieces. This is one key in knowing how to wear a polo shirt.
Polo shirts can reasonably pair with shorts, jeans, chinos, and dress slacks. So why such a concern about keeping this dressiness consistency?
Well, polo shirts vary quite a bit in their own level of dressiness. For example, a polo made from faded cotton slub fabric with a shirt pocket and a soft collar will look much more casual than a cotton/silk knit polo.
The principle here is simple – don’t let your polo veer too far from the dressiness of the rest of your outfit. Your most casual outfits, like shorts or jeans with sneakers, should go with more casual polo styles. You can use a middle of the road polo (like a classic pique fabric Lacoste polo) to dress up this casual look a bit. Avoid dressier styles with combos like these.
With chinos and chukka boots or loafers, most polo styles can work, and you can use the dressiness of your shirt to dictate the formality of your look. A casual polo will relax this look, while a dressier polo will sharpen it up a bit.
The same concept applies to trousers or dress slacks with dress shoes. Avoid your more casual polos and stick to the dressier styles (smoother or knit fabrics with more substantial collars) to give off a relaxed-dressy vibe.
Express your personality
Many people associate polo shirts with a work uniform, or golf, or some other piece of clothing that they are forced to wear in a given situation. As such, they see polo shirts as a bland piece of clothing that you can only wear in basic colors. In terms of expressing your personal style, this perception couldn’t be further from the truth.
If your style leans more laid-back and casual (like t-shirts and jeans), a more casual polo can give your casual looks a little more variation and polish.
For those who like to dress sharply (button-downs and slacks/chinos), a dressier polo combined with other pieces can relax your looks a little bit.
If your style lens more rugged (flannels and boots), a casual polo can slot right into your normal attire and dress things up without being too stuffy.
Like to give off a more bad-boy mysterious vibe? A black polo with black jeans and some Chelsea boots can be a killer look and a nice variation from t-shirts.
Don’t be afraid to use a polo to add a pop of color and boldness to your typical neutral colors. Getting these shirts in a few different colors that complement your skin tone is a great way to stand out, sport seasonal colors (especially in spring and summer), and experiment with bolder looks and color combinations.
Designs and patterns can add some more visual interest and boldness to your outfit. Usage will depend on your personal style, but don’t be afraid to mix it up.
What’s the scenario?
Polo shirts offer unmatched versatility in your wardrobe. You can wear them to run errands, grab coffee, go on a date, get some drinks, catch a game, and for work (both in-person and remote).
Even though they offer versatility, you still must consider the scenario. You don’t want to wear too casual of a polo with a business casual outfit, for instance. And it’s better to reserve your dressier polos for business or smart casual situations. These are really the only guidelines for when not to wear certain polos. Otherwise you can wear this piece in many scenarios without being overdressed or underdressed.
Use a polo shirt to dictate the dressiness of your outfit depending on the scenario. For example, if you’re headed to a friend’s summer cook out and want to look a little sharper, sub in a casual polo for a t-shirt. It’s a subtle change that won’t leave you looking too stuffy or overdressed. You can still pair this with your normal shorts or lightweight chinos or jeans, but now you look just a touch sharper.
Heading on a date, night out, an evening party, or a business casual situation? Pairing a dressier polo (like a knit sweater polo or a long sleeve polo) with trousers or dress chinos and some loafers, dressier chukka boots, Chelsea boots, or bluchers will create a sharp yet relaxed appearance. You can even throw on a blazer or sport coat to polish it up a bit further.
Knowing how to wear a polo shirt to either dress up or relax your look for a given situation will help you vary your outfits, set the tone for the scenario, and keep you comfortable and confident.
A few more basics
Many men wonder whether or not to tuck in their polos. Below are a few guidelines.
- You should usually NOT tuck in your more casual polos. Especially with shorts.
- Even though these are less common, you should always tuck in longer polos. The cutoff for “long” is anything longer than halfway between your pant waist and crotch.
- Otherwise it’s your choice depending on your style. My personal preference is to mostly leave them untucked for a more relaxed and comfortable look, but you can tuck them in for a more buttoned up appearance.
It’s ok to sport a polo with a small logo. Anything too large will distract from a clean and polished look. You don’t need a logo to stand out – just dress with confidence. This is all the status you need to portray – a good quality polo that fits well will say volumes more than a flashy oversized logo.
Polos come in many different fabrics. Without going into every option available, the general rule of thumb is that fabrics with more texture (slub and pique cotton) will lean more casual, and smoother fabrics (silk/wool/cotton knits) will lean dressier. More details (chest pockets, visible logos, elastic cuffs, etc…) will create a more casual look too.
When thinking of how to wear a polo shirt, remember these basics to utilize this garment to your advantage. If the principles in this article resonate with you, build out your wardrobe with polos in a few basic neutral colors, then branch out into bolder colors. And don’t be afraid to experiment and see what looks best.
