The Modern Man’s Style Guide: How To Wear a Polo in 2024

The polo shirt is any guy’s trustworthy and versatile fashion friend if worn correctly. Here’s how to wear a polo the right way.

Polo shirts are a fashion staple of true men. They’re versatile tops that can be worn in both business and casual settings.

Despite their functional design, they sometimes get a bad reputation in the modern style world. The negative associations may come from “frat guys” having little to no idea of how to properly wear a polo.

Some wear them as work uniforms or as members of certain organizations, while others view it as a lazy alternative to an Oxford.

Yet, this convenient clothing piece deserves more love and attention. Its history dates back to the 1920s and started off as an alternative uniform for tennis and Polo players.

Falling between a T-shirt and a dress shirt, it’s the perfect piece for summer dates or the daily commute at the office. To maximize its benefits, you need to know how to match it properly, and this guide will help you do just that.

The Proper Method To Styling Polo Shirts

There are countless ways to style polo shirts. You can wear them tucked in with jeans, or you can grab the warmer long-sleeve version.

It’s also equally important to consider the fabric you choose. Ultimately, this will depend on your individual fashion preferences, so consider how and where you’ll wear it.

Cotton is the most popular option due to its cool, comfortable, and breathable properties. Shirts made from synthetic materials often better suit an athletic build. They typically incorporate moisture-wicking properties like ventilation and form-fitting cuts.

Naturally, fit plays a major factor in picking your polos. It should be just long enough to tuck in while also short enough to remain untucked without looking sloppy.

The bottom hem shouldn’t sit farther than your pants’ back pocket and no higher than the hip. Additionally, the sleeves should fit about midway down your biceps.

Now, that’s just the rundown. This guide has more detailed tips on how to wear these collared pieces on different occasions.

How To Wear a Polo Shirt Tucked In

There’s practically only one reason why you’re learning how to wear a polo shirt tucked in: You want the compromise between the company’s dress code and your personal comfort. Hey, no judgment here!

Polos bridge the gap between business and casual, and you bump up the formality by simply tucking it in.

Now, there are a few steps to pulling this off. You can’t grab a random shirt and finish it off with a pair of dress pants and shoes and call it a day.

If you want polo shirts to be your wardrobe staple, then you need to consider a few crucial traits. The length and design will determine its effectiveness with your overall outfit.

Polos with even lengths around the hem offer more versatility. Their uniform style makes it visually appealing even when tucked in and even left untucked.

It’s also better to keep the design simple. Avoid pocketed, patterned shirts, and go for solid colors that match your other garments.

Basically, the cleaner you dress, the more professional you’ll appear.

How To Wear a Polo Sweater

The polo sweater is a great style hack that adds a touch of sophistication to “cozier” men’s wear. Usually made of silk and wool, this cousin of the pique-cotton shirt also gained popularity in the 20th century.

Considered to be dressier than some other styles, it’s the clothing piece that can blow people’s minds at parties. Once you know how to wear a polo sweater properly, you’ll look and feel more like a gentleman.

When you’re out shopping for a sweater polo, keep in mind that it fits more like a sweater. So you may want to size it up like you would a crewneck.

It’s also important to take note of the season. If you’ll wear them during the colder months, opt for cashmere instead of the silk and cotton blends, as it’ll be warmer than more traditional fabrics.

The Understated Elegant Look

Some men go all-in when wearing a polo sweater — often sporting the vintage aesthetic of the 1950s. Dressing retro may have its “swag,” it might not be for everyone.

If you want to appear dapper without standing out, then pair your knit polo with chinos or Gurkha trousers. Add in some brown Derby shoes to complete an understated, elegant look.

You can also pop on a shawl-collared cardigan to keep you warm. You can also try wearing a sports jacket with a polo. White long-sleeve polos are the easiest to pull off in this context. 

How To Wear a Polo Shirt With Jeans

You can never go wrong with denim as it pairs well with just about any top — including polo shirts. It doesn’t matter whether you’re sporting a patterned or solid shirt; they’ll go great with jeans. Here’s how to wear a polo shirt with jeans.

Luckily, it’s just all about color-matching. Dark wash jeans create a sharper appearance, while lighter, distressed jeans give off a more relaxed vibe.

For the polo, consider going for a slim or tailored fit to compliment your denim if you’re going casual.

Apart from the clothing, you can also accessorize with a watch, belt, or a simple bracelet. Doing so adds a personal flair to the outfit.

The Summer Getaway Outfit

Summer attire doesn’t have to end with board shorts and tank tops. You can pull it off just as well by putting on light-wash denim shorts and a polo shirt.

Of course, it’s natural to go for cotton blends since you’ll be under the scorching heat. It’s also important to choose white or light tones to reflect the sun instead of absorbing it.

Footwear can vary between slip-on or lace-up kicks, but you can also rock some cool boat shoes.

FAQs

Here are common questions about wearing polos: 

How Can You Properly Wear a Polo Shirt?

Proper styling of polo shirts ultimately depends on where you’re wearing them. For business-casual attire, you can rock a pique cotton polo tucked into chinos, paired with a leather belt and classic loafers.

If you’re going for a more relaxed outfit, then try a knit polo untucked with matching jeans and sneakers.

Why Do Men Like Polo Shirts?

Men like wearing polo shirts because they’re versatile enough to wear in a formal or informal setting. They’re also breathable and easy to care for, making them ideal for daily wear.

It’s also a more elegant option compared to plain T-shirts and cozier than a traditional button-down shirt.

What Is the Right Fit for Polo Shirts?

The perfect polo shirt shouldn’t be too loose but not too tight, either. Ideally, the fabric should flow around the body comfortably.

To get a good idea in person, you should be able to stick a couple of your fingers under the sleeves. This will ensure that there’s breathing room and also that the shirt isn’t too loose.

The #1 Rule of Wearing Polo Shirts

Polo shirts remain one of the most versatile pieces of clothing to date, but guys often struggle to get the look right. If done correctly, you’ll appear more sophisticated than the average man, but if done wrong, polos just look like a lazy attempt at dressing up.

It’s easy to end up looking like a vintage frat boy who’s stuck in the past. To prevent this, just follow these general rules on how to wear a polo:

1. Button at least one button, as having them all unbuttoned makes you look sloppy and unkempt
2. Never pop the collar, no matter the occasion. 
3. Try not to wear undershirts if possible; any extra layers will just make you look bulkier than you really are. However, if you’re a skinny guy, adding bulk is a “pro” of wearing undershirts. 

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