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Home / Clothing and Style / How to Wear a Polo Shirt: 11 Outfit Ideas for Guys

How to Wear a Polo Shirt: 11 Outfit Ideas for Guys

Published on May 11, 2020 by Ian Chandler · Clothing and Style

May contain affiliate links (what's this?)

Polo shirts look great, but wearing them well can be tricky. Read on for our favorite polo shirt outfit ideas.

The polo shirt is one of the most iconic men’s garments. While it’s historically associated with golfers, the polo shirt has become much more common, with everyone from office interns to celebrities sporting them.

However, the polo has also developed a reputation for being somewhat basic and lame. That might be because polos are part of many uniforms.

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You see them on everyone from elementary school boys to food service workers. The polo is also an integral part of the preppy college look that many guys prefer to avoid.

Simply put, it can be a polo-rizing garment. (Sorry, couldn’t resist.)

So how do you make a polo look good without looking like a ten-year-old or a frat bro?

In short, the trick is to start with a well-fitting shirt and build a complementary outfit that doesn’t make you look like you’ve just stepped onto a tennis court in the 1960s.

First things first: the fit.

We’ve covered how polo shirts should fit in another article, so make sure you check that out. After all, if your shirt doesn’t fit you well, your outfit isn’t going to look good.

Trust me, you do not want to start shopping without knowing that basic info about fit. It’ll save you a bunch of time (and probably money).

Now let’s take a closer look at the polo itself and the different options you have.

Table of Contents

  • The Polo Shirt Deconstructed
  • A Word About Branding
  • Casual Polo Shirt Outfit Ideas
  • Dressy Polo Shirt Outfit Ideas

The Polo Shirt Deconstructed

Before we get into specific outfits, let’s look at the garment itself.

The basic polo is a short-sleeved, collared shirt with a three-button neckline. Functionally, it’s a lot like a t-shirt, but the collar and neckline set it apart.

Brock wearing black PM James Polo

Polos can also have breast pockets, though this isn’t a universal feature.

Ash and Erie polo shirt

In terms of materials, polos are usually made from knitted cotton, which makes them a little heavier than t-shirts. Cotton is the most common material for polos, although some may have polyester or Spandex in them.

There’s no “best” material, but cotton polos tend to be the most comfortable in any season. 100% cotton can be incredibly comfy if the cotton is high quality, although high-percentage cotton blends (like 95% cotton/5% Spandex) are also great.

While we’re at it, let’s get some terminology out of the way.

If you’ve shopped for polo shirts before, you may have seen the terms “pique” and “jersey” tossed around. These terms refer to the knit of the fabric.

A pique knit has a textured waffle weave, whereas a jersey knit creates a smooth, flat surface.

Jersey vs pique fabric

Most polos you’ll come across will be pique knit. In fact, many people use “pique polo” to describe the standard polo shirt.

Because of their crosshatched weaving, pique polos are thicker and sturdier. Jersey knit polos are more lightweight, similar to a t-shirt.

Both types of fabric are great in their own way, but pique knit fabric is much more common than jersey knit. If the description doesn’t specify, it’s probably a pique knit.

It’s important to know the distinction between pique and jersey knits. Some outfits may work really well with a pique polo but not so well with a jersey polo. And, of course, they feel different, so you need to know what you’re getting yourself into––literally.

A Word About Branding

Part of the reason why the polo has such a weird reputation has to do with the branding.

You’re probably familiar with polos that have really noticeable branding on them like this one:

Ralph Lauren polo shirt
Source: Ralph Lauren

In fact, this is what many guys think of when they hear the term “polo shirt.”

Heavily branded polos like this tend to detract from the actual polo by covering it up with massive logos. And unless you’re literally a polo player, it’s hard to successfully rock that logo.

That’s why one of the biggest polo shirt hacks is to look for polos with minimal to no branding.

This just gives you a classier, more understated look that doesn’t make you come off as pretentious.

Patterns can be cool (and you’ll see some of those later) but when it comes to branding, keep it minimal.

Okay, no more beating around the bush. You’re here to learn how to wear a polo shirt for men, so let’s get to it. Here are our favorite polo shirt outfit ideas for all seasons and situations.

Casual Polo Shirt Outfit Ideas

Let’s start out with some casual polo looks…

#1: Smart Casual Polo With Chinos

Here’s a simple yet stylish outfit that’s great for pretty much any situation or season (okay, maybe not winter). Polos go well with a variety of pants, but chinos are especially complementary and tie the outfit together.

Grey polo with olive chinos

If you want to add a little bit of flair, throw a couple of accessories into the mix. A great watch is always a safe bet that matches the polo aesthetic nicely.

#2: Preppy Yet Casual

When you think of a polo shirt, you probably think of an outfit like this one. This is an elegant version of the preppy collegiate look that’s often associated with Ivy League or other private schools. Both pique and jersey polos will work with this look.

Preppy Yet Casual
Source: @thegentwithin

It’s an excellent outfit for situations that call for smart casual dress. If you want something more on the casual side of things, you can always switch the loafers for a pair of boat shoes or slip-ons.

#3: Casual Polo With Shorts

If you need a summer outfit that’s not just an old t-shirt, look no further. The combination of a relaxed polo with shorts is a surefire winner for the warmer months. This outfit will keep you breezy when you’re out and about, so even on more sweltering days you’ll be (relatively) cool.

Casual Polo With Shorts
When it fits properly, a polo shirt is a very flattering garment on the shorter build.

Again, you can switch out the shoes depending on the vibe you’re going for. These boat shoes give an added touch of classiness to the outfit, but you could also rock anything from sneakers to loafers.

#4: Polo Shirt and Jeans

Wondering how to wear a polo shirt with jeans? It’s an easy outfit to get wrong, but it can look fantastic if you do it right.

Polo Shirt and Jeans

A fitted pique polo is best since the texture of the shirt will match the texture of the denim, making for a really balanced outfit. Think of it as an upgrade to the classic t-shirt and jeans combo.

#5: Dual-Color Polo

If plain polos aren’t your thing, try a two-toned polo that uses a different color for the collar (and sometimes sleeve cuffs).

Dual-Color Polo
Source: @40overfashion

The one pictured here is a nice white-on-navy combo that looks great with shorts.

#6: Dark Polo With White Trousers

This stunning black-and-white look is understated yet expressive. The white trousers pop against the black polo and shoes, but this isn’t a loud outfit at all.

Dark Polo With White Trousers
Source: @thejobrien

The watch is a nice touch that adds some grey tones into the mix.

#7: Neutral Polo With Chinos

This is another outfit that teeters on the line of casual and formal. It’s the sort of outfit you might wear for your office’s Casual Friday or perhaps to a family dinner or social event.

Neutral Polo With Chinos
Source: @modestmanstyle

Choosing a dark color like black or navy for your polo will give it a more formal look, and pairing it with simple pants helps it look even more formal. At the end of the day, this is still a casual outfit, but it’s a lot dressier than, say, a t-shirt and jeans.

#8: With a Coat

Another excellent outfit for fall and winter, this pairing of a buttoned up polo and thicker coat is super stylish while also staying minimalist.

Polo With a Coat
Source: @thejobrien

This outfit allows you to stay warm without layering a ton, making it a perfect choice for chilly weather.

Dressy Polo Shirt Outfit Ideas

You can dress up a polo, too. Here are some outfit ideas…

#9: Formal Polo With Dress Pants

For more formal outfits, having your polo shirt tucked in makes a huge difference, and adding a belt ups the formality level even more. Finish the look off with some dress pants and nice shoes, and you’re ready to go.

Formal Polo With Dress Pants
Source: @mrrlittle

This combination makes the polo “formal by association.” The polo is kind of a chameleon garment that blends into its surroundings, so wearing lots of formal elements will give the polo a more formal look as well.

#10: Dressy Long Sleeve Polo

That’s right, polos also come in long sleeved varieties. These are pretty uncommon, but they have a really nice look that offers something a little different from the standard button down.

Dressy Long Sleeve Polo
Source: @modestmanstyle

Long sleeve polos afford a bit extra warmth, so if you’ve wanted to know how to wear a polo shirt in winter, definitely try a long sleeve polo. You can even layer it underneath a cardigan for added insulation.

#11: Under A Blazer

Closing off our list is this unexpected yet dapper crossover. Wearing a polo under a blazer isn’t common at all, yet it works surprisingly well.

Polo Under A Blazer
Source: @modestmanstyle

A thicker long sleeve pique polo tucked into dress pants complements the smart blazer, and everything comes together for a nicely balanced formal outfit.

There you go––11 of our favorite ways to wear a polo shirt. The polo is a really misunderstood garment that can be styled in many different ways. If you’ve passed up on polos in the past, give them another shot.

What are some of your favorites? Let us know in the comments below!

Clothing and Style Filed Under:how to wear, polo, polo shirt 3 comments

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About Ian Chandler

Ian Chandler is a freelance writer with a penchant for men's hair and style. He also enjoys spending time with his girlfriend, reading, playing music, and overthinking.

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Comments

  1. adam lessen says

    May 11, 2020 at 4:01 pm

    Thanks for the article! I’ve actually been looking for inspiration about how to mix in more polos, so this was especially helpful

    Reply
  2. Roman says

    May 11, 2020 at 5:09 pm

    Hi
    Thank you for your article on the Polo. this was very educational, as per usual well researched and helpful. We think every country has a different way at looking at this particular men’s garment.
    The polo garment is an interesting one for us, they either sell well or don’t sell at all so it was great to read your article about this.

    We would like to share with you our perspective on this particular garment please.
    From our experience, we have found our clientele either to be ‘polo wearing’ or ‘non polo’ wearing’ men,
    There is definitely a big middle line between these two types of clientele
    Here in NZ, the polo can be mainly used by school children, workmen in general, contractors, most men working outdoors I.e.on building sites, some team’s sports people and athletes, including the All Blacks etc. A great opportunity to advertise their personal logos and prints on them for identification.

    From our Retail shop experience the non polo wearing man would be difficult to be persuaded to buy or wear one. Some men would definitely, not ever, although some of the English brands like Ben Sherman and Super dry and some of NZ;s brands go well with the younger crowd. Wearing a polo shirt can be seen as being ‘preppy’ and as you mentioned looking like a ‘school boy’.

    The quality of the polos have been proven a must for polo shirt buyers as they look and keep much better than the not so well made ones.( material wise), which has to do with the comfort in wearing them and the duration of the garment as well
    Modern colors and unusual modern looking patterns can be a factor to buy, these ones can stand out from the crowd, a touch of difference, compared to the plain standard classic colored ones.

    We love the ‘duo color’ polo example you have shown in this article and the man modeling this looks great, in this. .
    .
    Can we give a big shout out to Brock please, who has taught us so much regarding ‘the what and how to wear’ our clothing, he helps, educates and shares with us the choices we can all make to improve and enhance ourselves.

    Looking at the photos of him in this article , this reminds us that Brock very much knows what he is talking about, being an excellent role model and example on what he teaches us , giving us plenty of examples so that we can choose to present ourselves in the best possible and positive way.
    Thank you again
    Roman

    Reply
  3. Tony Gostelow says

    November 11, 2020 at 3:05 am

    Why. CAn you not buy polo shirts with longer short sleeves, rather than the short length in most makes, nothing is more irritating than the sleeves always under your armpits, almost down to the elbow would be good.
    TG

    Reply

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