In many climates, springtime presents a unique set of sartorial challenges for the intentionally-dressed man. While we are brought up to associate sunshine, warmth, and a return to the outdoors with the spring season, the reality is a bit more three-dimensional (and rainy) than that. Spring can be tricky to dress for!
It’s certainly true that some days offer sun, warmer temperatures, and of course, the blooming of trees and all sorts of greenery, but the other side to the season can consist of unexpectedly chilly days, frequent rain, and wide ranges of weather across a single day, in fact.
Given these odd conditions, for fellas looking to stay smartly dressed while remaining fairly casual, there is perhaps no better asset to your wardrobe than the surprisingly versatile sweater polo.
And we’re here to tell you exactly how they ought to be styled.
First, What Exactly Is a Sweater Polo?
To be completely honest, there’s a few definitions and iterations of what qualifies as a “sweater polo.”
Your first thought might be to conjure up an image of a typical polo shirt, only made from a sweater-like. knitted fabric. And in that case, you’d technically be correct. All a sweater polo really is – is a knitted polo shirt, and they’re often referred to as such, as well.
However, there are a few different takes on this formula that qualify as individual versions of a sweater polo.
- The first and most obvious is a standard short sleeve polo shirt, made from a knitted cotton, merino wool, silk, or another fabric. These will have a placket of two to three buttons and a floppy collar, and are worn by pulling it over one’s head.
The next iteration is not unlike the last, however, instead of featuring a placket of buttons and standard collar, it may include a wider-spread collar (known as a Johnny collar) with no buttons to speak of, only a split seam that frames the neck in a slick, classy manner.
Another version to look out for are sweater polos with a button-down cardigan configuration. These types feature a buttoning placket from top to bottom, and are often best worn open over a tee or tank top for spring and summer layering. Sometimes, they have cable-knit details and such to add some extra embellishment and visual weight.
Long sleeved sweater/knit polos are also worth mentioning, and, combined with the Johnny collar style, is arguably the classiest and most “dressy” iteration on this list. It can even be combined with tailoring to great effect, which we’ll explore later in this article.
Why Wear a Sweater Polo?
There are a few answers to this question. The most obvious one is simply because they look incredibly cool. No need to overcomplicate it – there’s something inherently interesting about taking the humble polo shirt and elevating it into something more than the sum of its parts.
Another reason why sweater polos are well worth your while is that they present a pleasant in-between for both temperature and formality. Depending on the material of the knit, they can keep you a tad warmer than other tops during a spring day or evening that carries a slight nip in the air.
And while they’re certainly a casual garment, they’re much more visually interesting and put-together than a plain tee shirt, or even a regular old polo shirt. They offer balance between two distinct vibes, and that’s pretty damn practical.
Lastly, they’ve become something of a trend lately, only this time, we think they’re actually here to stay. Average joes on the street and celebs alike have been rocking them with confidence these last few spring seasons, and we think that’s more than enough cause for celebration – and endorsement!
If not our own, just take style notes from Jacob Elordi sporting this tastefully oversized, textured long sleeve sweater polo.
How to Style Different Types of Sweater Polos
The following outfit and styling suggestions are less set-in-stone, and more so an “idea springboard” for you to jump off from. Recreating these outfits will offer some no-fail formulas, but pretty soon you’ll get the hang of what the sweater polo vibe is all about for yourself, and before you know it, you’ll be styling them effortlessly on your own.
Style Suggestion 1: Standard Sweater Polo
For a simple look, go with a plain option knit from cotton, merino wool, or cashmere, and pair it with your favorite pair of chinos or jeans. Simple canvas sneakers or penny loafers are a reliable way to round it all off.
Style Suggestion 2: Johnny Collar Sweater Polo
While you can totally style a Johnny collar knit the same way you would a regular one, it is a bit more sleek, and certainly a bit more sexy.
Therefore, it’s worth leaning into that a bit, by pairing it with some pleated trousers in cotton or linen, a braided leather belt, and loafers, camp mocs, or espadrilles for footwear.
And for a final touch, something about a Johnny collar just cries out for some good shades, so be sure to rock a pair of nice sunglasses to complete the look.
Style Suggestion 3: Buttoned Cardigan Polo
Now, for some sweet, sweet spring and summer layering! You can rock cardigan sweater polos with long pants or shorts, but for this example, we’ll keep your knees covered.
Pick your favorite chinos, lightweight denim, or pleated trousers, and pair it with a white ribbed tank top, tucked in. Add a belt and some nice sneakers, loafers, or similar smart-casual footwear, and be sure to toss a gold or silver chain around that neck of yours for some added decoration.
Between the tank, knit, and chain, you’ll have created a ton of visual depth and some spectacular layering, which is no small feat once it starts to warm up. Be sure to pick a knit with a more lightweight and/or open weave for especially warm days.
Style Suggestion 4: Long Sleeve Sweater Polo
This is where we can get some tailoring into the mix! While you can, by all means, rock a long sleeved sweater polo with pure casual wear such as denim or chinos, we love how they look layered under a suit or sport coat!
They can be used to “visualize” more conservative suiting, such as navy and gray worsted wools (in spring and summer weights, of course), or you can pair ‘em with more relaxed tailoring. A long sleeve sweater polo looks right at home with a cotton or linen suit – perfect for spring and summer occasions that require a bit of dressing up (but not too much!).
You can also pair them with individual sport coats and blazers. Try one out some pleated trousers or chinos with a navy blazer for a super smart look, or underneath a lightweight sport coat made from more casual fabrics like cotton, linen, and raw silk.
This is arguably where your styling options are at their most versatile, as a long sleeve sweater polo really does work for a wide variety of occasions and aesthetics!
Some Final Style Notes
Of course, like any knitwear, sweater polos come in different weights and weaves, which will influence how warm or cool they wear in different climates and weather conditions. To ensure you’re wearing the right one, be sure to take note of these details when putting together an outfit!
Like we said in the introduction to this guide – springtime can be a particularly inconsistent and tricky time to dress. Cool one day, warm the next. There can even be a massive shift over the span of a single day!
That’s why sweater polos are handy. They occupy this unique middle ground, keeping you warmer than something made from non-knit materials, but cooler than a more traditional and hefty piece of knitwear.
Between silk, cotton, linen, and wool, you have a wide variety of materials to choose from, with some better suited to some temperatures and humidity levels than others, of course. Just be sure to pick the right one – and it’s no sweat from there!