The polo shirt is an underrated shirt that does not get enough credit. There are many ways to wear a polo shirt and with so many distinctive styles, patterns, and colours to choose from, you can make a polo shirt work for you. Below is a helpful guide to men’s polo shirts to get you started.

The Fabric

When choosing a good polo shirt, the first thing you need to look at is fabric. For any clothing, skimping on fabric can lead to poor fit and fading. You really do get what you pay for when it comes to the fabric of your polo shirt, so be sure to check the label. The most common types of polo shirts come in cotton, silk, and polyester.

Silk can be a good look, but you need to know how to wear it. If you tend to sweat easily, silk is not a good choice as it’s not breathable and can show sweat marks easily. The best overall option is a cotton-style polo shirt, as the material is soft, breathable, and lasts wash after wash. These men’s polo shirts from Orlebar Brown are made with 100% cotton. They also come with a range of choices, such as colour and long-sleeve, so you’ll be able to find a cotton polo in their range that suits your look.

Choosing the Right Fit

When styling any clothes, you need to make sure they fit you properly. This is the difference between a polo shirt looking stylish or drab. There are two main things to look at when choosing the right fit for your polo shirt: sleeves and length. For length, the bottom hem of your polo shirt should not hang further down than your back pockets. Basically, it should be short enough that you can style it untucked without it looking like a dress and long enough that you can tuck it in.

If you prefer to wear a short-sleeved polo, which is the most common option, the sleeves should rest around halfway down your bicep. Long-sleeved polos should rest nicely on your wrists. Make sure to try on or test out a few sizes, as you do not want it too tight or too loose. An effective way to test this is by seeing if you can still put a few fingers under the sleeve.

Everyday Wear

Once you have established the fabric and fit of your polo shirts, it is time to get styling. For everyday wear, a polo shirt is a classic look that can be dressed for numerous occasions. From office wear to beach ready, a polo shirt really is that versatile. Short-sleeved polos look great teamed with chinos, suit pants, or jeans. You can keep it relaxed with a pair of your favourite sneakers or dress it up for work with a pair of loafers.

For long-sleeved polos, you can keep the same type of style or change it up with a pair of black jeans and a leather jacket. Polos can look great tucked or untucked, it really depends on the look you are going for. If you are going to the gym or for coffee with a friend, you can go super casual by combining a polo shirt with sweatpants. It is best to stick to neutral colours here, like a navy-blue polo with dark grey bottoms.

Formal Wear

If suit and tie is not your thing, you can dress up any blazer combo with a good polo shirt. This is a super on-trend look at the moment. Chinos and polo shirts also make a great combo, and you can polish off your look with a nice belt, a wristwatch, and a pair of boat shoes.

For a more formal event like a work meeting or wedding, you can wear a plain white polo teamed with a dark suit. If you love to stand out and change it up, try a bring orange or purple polo with some white loafers.

Polo Shirts: Do’s and Don’ts

When wearing a polo shirt, there are certainly some dos and don’ts to be aware of. For formal events, you should consider tucking your polo in and keeping most of the buttons fastened. Popping the collar was once a big trend but we really would not recommend it. A polo should also be the first layer of your outfit, it is not advisable to wear anything else underneath unless you cannot see it.

No matter what occasion, you should at least have one of the buttons fastened unless you have a polo with no buttons. One is good, but feel free to add more as you feel looks good. Be sure to get a few polos in solid colours, as these are a great staple for creating outfit ensembles.

Regardless of the occasion, men’s polo shirts are a staple for any wardrobe. This guide can help you choose the right fit, style your polo correctly, and avoid any polo shirt mishaps.

Author

Northern girl Laura is the epitome of a true entrepreneur. Laura’s spirit for adventure and passion for people blaze through House of Coco. She founded House of Coco in 2014 and has grown it in to an internationally recognised brand whilst having a lot of fun along the way. Travel is in her DNA and she is a true visionary and a global citizen.

Comments are closed.