How to Style a Polo Shirt: Casual to Business
There are three easy ways to style a polo shirt. Casual: jeans or shorts and sneakers. Business casual: a knit or fine piqué polo in a solid, muted color with chinos or wool trousers and loafers. Layered: a polo under a crewneck or cardigan. Whether business casual polos pass at work depends on your office.
A polo is a knit shirt with a collar and a short button placket. According to Lacoste corporate history, in 1933 tennis player René Lacoste brought a flexible, lightweight polo shirt in petit piqué cotton to the courts instead of the regular long-sleeved shirts players wore. That same year he founded his company with André Gillier. If you're trying to tell polo labels apart, read our piece on whether U.S. Polo Assn. is the same as Ralph Lauren.
How a Polo Shirt Should Fit
GQ's guide to how a polo shirt should fit says the most important rule is that a polo is not too tight. Stylist Michael Fisher advises leaving a little breathing room around the midsection. On sleeves, he says you shouldn't show too much bicep; about half is good. Stylist Jeff K. Kim describes the shape as a little tighter in the arms and chest, but tapered down through the waist.
Stylist Ilaria Urbinati adds that unless you are tucking it in, the hem should just graze your belt. She also likes a knit polo for a '60s look or a long-sleeve polo with the sleeves pushed up. The Relaxed Wool-Blend Cable Knit Polo Shirt is the exception to the tapered rule. It's designed with a relaxed silhouette and slightly shorter sleeves, so it's meant to sit looser than a classic polo.
Business Casual Polos
GQ's business casual guide answers the polo question with "Generally yes, but it's a fine line and truly depends on the workplace." It notes polos are traditionally associated with country clubs, leisure and sport. In a small, creative shop with a relaxed dress code, GQ says go for it. In any kind of financial institution, it suggests saving the polo for the company barbecue.
For business casual polos, choose a knit or fine piqué polo in a solid, muted color. This reads more tailored than a big sport graphic. Pair it with the business casual staples GQ names: trousers, chinos, clean dark denim with nothing ripped, a blazer or sweater, and loafers or minimal sneakers. For more tailored options, browse our classic menswear collection.
Polo With a Blazer
A polo tee with blazer works when the jacket is relaxed. GQ's business casual guide says the ideal business casual jacket could never be mistaken for the top half of a suit and is made from relaxed fabrics like tweed, corduroy and cotton. Stick to an unstructured jacket in one of those fabrics. Keep the collar inside the lapels, never popped.
Polo With Chinos or Wool Trousers
Our go-to is a navy or black knit polo with pleated wool trousers and loafers. In warm weather, a light blue knit polo with white or stone trousers does the same job with less weight. Chinos sit in the middle and look right with or without an unstructured cotton or corduroy jacket.
Casual Polo Outfits
Casual polo outfits lean into the shirt's sport roots. For a sneaker alternative, read our guide to German Army Trainers. Keep the rest of the outfit simple: jeans or shorts, and low-profile shoes.
Piqué Polos
Lacoste describes petit piqué as a small, finely honeycombed cotton piqué knit. Men's piqué polo shirts work with straight jeans and white sneakers, or with shorts in warm weather. Browse men's tops for current polo options.
Striped Polos
A striped shirt polo adds pattern without losing the sporty feel. Wear it with shorts or jeans and keep the rest of the outfit plain so the stripe is the focal point.
Long Sleeve Polos
A long sleeve cotton polo is a cool-weather alternative. GQ stylist Ilaria Urbinati likes a long-sleeve polo with the sleeves pushed up. If you want something warmer, a polo-collared knit does the job. The Wool-Blend Bouclé Polo Sweater is a textured 67% wool, 33% nylon knit with an open polo collar, long sleeves and a short, wide cut. Wear it over a plain tee with wide trousers, as in the photo below, or under a jacket.
On cold days, try the Double-Faced Fleece Polo Pullover (100% polyester brushed fleece) with a cap and relaxed trousers. Its buttoned polo collar makes it look sharper than a standard sweatshirt.
Polos for Women
A relaxed unisex knit polo works for women too. Try the Relaxed Wool-Blend Cable Knit Polo Shirt with straight jeans and a shoulder bag, or tucked into a midi skirt. It has an open polo collar, a fine cable-knit texture, and a relaxed fit, and comes in black, light blue, white, gray, or navy.
Layering a Polo Under a Knit
Permanent Style's guide to wearing a polo under knitwear says the polo needs a collar that is more like a shirt collar so it stands up inside a crewneck. The sweater has to be thick enough that the polo underneath does not look disproportionate. Short sleeves are better for bulk.
Color matters too. Permanent Style says white works best under knitwear, cream is okay, and pale grey works with some colors. Textured piqué can stick to knitwear. A shawl cardigan over a short-sleeve polo is easier to manage. For more knit layering ideas, read How to Style a Chunky Knit Cardigan This Fall.
FAQ
Are polo shirts business casual?
GQ's business casual guide says generally yes, but it is a fine line and truly depends on the workplace. Polos are traditionally associated with country clubs, leisure and sport. In a small, creative shop with a relaxed dress code, a polo works. In a financial institution, save it for the company barbecue.
Can you wear a polo with a blazer?
Yes, but choose a relaxed jacket. GQ says the ideal business casual jacket could never be mistaken for the top half of a suit and is made from relaxed fabrics like tweed, corduroy and cotton. Keep the polo collar inside the lapels, never popped.
Should a polo shirt be tucked in?
It depends on the outfit. GQ stylist Ilaria Urbinati says unless you are tucking it in, the hem should just graze your belt. For business casual looks with wool trousers or chinos, tucking can look cleaner. For casual outfits with jeans or shorts, leave it untucked if the hem hits at the belt.
How tight should a polo shirt be?
GQ stylists say a polo should not be too tight. Michael Fisher advises leaving a little breathing room around the midsection, and says you should not show too much bicep; half is good. Jeff K. Kim describes a little tighter in the arms and chest, but tapered down through the waist.
What pants go with a polo shirt?
For casual outfits, pair a piqué polo with jeans or shorts. For business casual, choose chinos or wool trousers. We like a navy or black knit polo with pleated wool trousers and loafers, or a light blue knit polo with white or stone trousers. Wide trousers work with a bouclé polo sweater.
Can you wear a polo under a sweater?
Yes. Permanent Style says a polo under a crewneck needs a collar that is more like a shirt collar so it stands up inside the crewneck, and the sweater should be thick enough that the polo underneath does not look disproportionate. Short sleeves reduce bulk. White works best under knitwear; a shawl cardigan over a short-sleeve polo is easier.