The polo.
Iconic.
Versatile.
Yet only commonly reserved for the same outfits.
Nothing wrong with that…
But I think this classic piece deserves more attention.
They’re too casual to wear with formal suits.
Mainly because most collars on polos are flimsy (aka “bacon collar”) and don’t look right with jackets.
But what if there was a polo with strong plackets and collar stays?
Could they be worn with casual suits?
You bet!
But any polo outfit will be business casual or lower.
This article will show you five different ways to wear a polo shirt. It’s important that you understand how to play with different combinations of your existing wardrobe. By learning this skill you can:
- Save money
- Save time
- Push yourself to be more stylishly creative.
Before we jump into the types of looks, let’s discuss some fun facts about the polo shirt.
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What Makes A Polo Worth Wearing
Before we get into the looks, understand this: not every polo is built the same. The cheap ones — the bagged-up three-packs at the big-box store — are the reason most men think polos look sloppy on them.
A polo earns its place in your wardrobe when it does three things well. The collar holds its shape without curling at the points. The placket lies flat down your chest instead of flapping open like a fish gill. And the body skims your torso without billowing at the waist or pulling at the shoulders.
When I was fitting bespoke clients, the polo was the piece men got most wrong off the rack. They sized up because the shoulders pinched, then ended up swimming in fabric everywhere else. A trim polo with a structured collar (look for “interlock” or “tipped” construction) instantly looks more deliberate — and that’s the difference between looking like you threw something on and looking like you chose it.
A few brands I’d point you toward in 2026: Sunspel and Luca Faloni for the upgrade tier, Spier & Mackay if you want a structured-collar polo around $50, and the Uniqlo dry-piqué if you’re building a wardrobe on a budget. Each one has a placket that actually behaves.
History Of The Polo Shirt
This iconic piece of menswear was created by French tennis legend Rene Lacoste and was first worn in 1926 at the U.S. Open. He wanted to make a tennis attire that wasn’t cumbersome and uncomfortable because they were white button-ups with long sleeves.
The shirt is also known as a golf shirt or tennis shirt. What’s most important is that this casual piece has four major style distinctions.
The shirt has a collar
There’s a placket attached below the collar with up to a four-button drop.
An optional pocket is on the chest.
Short cuffed sleeves to keep them in place of the arm
The construction of the shirt is unique as well. Polos are (most times) made of knitted fabric instead of textile that’s woven. Piqué cotton is the most common because it’s very durable and breathable. You will also see them constructed from:
- Interlock cotton
- Silk
- Merino wool
- Synthetic fabric blends
So as you can see lads, Ralph Lauren did not create this classic piece. He did help to revolutionize the garment starting in the 1970s when he launched his debut line and made it an American classic.
Now that the polo is here to stay, how can it be styled in multiple ways?
5 Ways To Wear A Polo Shirt With Style
1. Sport Look
- Khaki Shorts
- White Polo Shirts
- Brown Belt
- Casual Watch
- No-show Socks
- Boatshoes
Think yacht or beach party with this combination. It’s crisp and airy – which is perfect for warm weather. Wearing this will give off a fun-loving vibe while remaining dapper.
For example, blue chinos and white polo with brown loafers may seem basic. But if you add a watch with a multicolored (blue/white/green) canvas strap – it will pop more.
If you really want to turn up the heat for this look, you can add some headgear. A nice straw fedora or a cotton dad hat will give it some extra pizzazz!
Please remember the rules for wearing shorts. You want to be mindful of the fabric and fit. They should be at or slightly above the knee and be comfortably loose, not baggy. Visit my article on the proper way a stylish gentleman should wear shorts.
2. Summer Casual
- Polo Shirt
- Chinos
- Brown Belt
- Casual Watch
- No-show Socks
- Loafers
Wearing your polo in this fashion is great for a casual date night or having dinner at a friend’s house. You’re communicating that you care about neatness in your appearance when you are sporting this look.
Some may call this plain but I’d rather look at it as classic and can be worn in many different environments. Additionally, the modest and traditional nature of this aesthetic allows you the option to play with details like colored/patterned socks and nifty wrist wear.
3. Casual Suit Look
- Polo
- Light Gray Suit
- Brown Belt
- Brown Casual Watch
- No-show socks
- Loafers
You can call this a go-to uniform for a casual suit environment or one that allows business casual wear. If your job requires/allows this type of aesthetic, you will always be in compliance with the dress code when wearing this type of outfit. You can do the work you need to do in comfort and in a classic and timeless style.
For the lads that want to push the envelope a bit yet remain in “dress code”, the no show socks help to achieve this. Showing a little ankle is generally allowable for this time of year (warm weather months). Another option is to play with the watch. You can wear a watch with a link bracelet (solid or two-tone) or a canvas band – adding a contemporary element that doesn’t take away from the business casual moniker.
Lads, remember that company policy always supersedes any style adjustment that you may want to do to your workwear. If it’s a strict business casual environment, don’t deviate. It’s not worth getting written up or receiving other disciplinary action.
Also, this is great for the weekend with the guys. Most of the time there is nothing special going on and you don’t know what to wear. A look such as this will have you looking stylish at any event. You could even switch out the brogues for boat shoes or casual sneakers and be off to your favorite sporting event.
4. Layered Look
- White Polo
- Dark Denim (indigo or black)
- Cardigan
- Brown Watch
- Casual Watch
- Loafers and no-show socks
By adding a cardigan and the dark washed pants, you are ready for a night on the town. Sometimes a jacket isn’t necessary…or even proper. Not every restaurant requires a jacket and a tie. This look is great for those dates that are more casual in nature. Outings, like heading to a museum or listening to live music, are venues where this look is appropriate.
Tip: When wearing the cardigan, make sure it’s an opposite tone of the polo. If the shirt is dark – the cardigan should be light. A light shirt requires a dark cardigan. This balances the outfit and creates the proper layering of colors and hues.
Another slick tip is to make sure the face of the watch pops. The lighter the face the more vibrant the detail of the outfit. A great way to keep this kind of look crisp is to wear a timepiece with a white face. Oh, and it will look fantastic with a white shirt peeking out of the neckline of the dark cardigan.
Part of dating and impressing a woman is knowing what look a certain environment requires. Knowing when to pull out the formal wear and when to dial it back a bit will impress her tremendously.
5. Rugged Look
The rugged look is my favorite way to wear a polo shirt. Bringing in boots adds a nice masculine touch to an outfit that would otherwise be considered business casual. You can use any classic color sport coat (blue, brown, grey or tan) as they are the neutrals that will work well with any solid polo. Polo shirts do go well with patterned jackets but make sure the polo is solid.
The darker the pants, the more formal the look. You can wear lighter trousers if you choose and should the environment deem it appropriate. Also, the color of the polo is your choice. White is the easiest option. Go for it if you aren’t comfortable with other colors and/or patterns.
One final style consideration that applies to all of the looks is the buttoning. It’s really up to you the number of buttons you want to fasten on the shirt. There is no strict rule regarding this.
Polo Mistakes That Kill The Outfit
The five looks above only work if the polo itself is doing its job. So before you walk out the door, scan for the usual offenders.
Sleeves that fall past your elbow are too long. They should hit at — or just above — the middle of your bicep, hugging the arm enough to show some shape. Baggy sleeves drag the whole silhouette down, no matter how sharp the trousers are.
The hem is the other quiet killer. A polo should end somewhere between the top of your fly and the middle of your zipper when untucked, and tuck cleanly into chinos or trousers without a heap of extra fabric ballooning at your waistband. If you’re tucking it in and your shirt is bunching like a parachute, the cut is wrong — not your body.
One more thing the Marines drilled into me about appearance: details get noticed in groups. A wrinkled placket. A faded armhole. A logo the size of a poker chip. Any one of those, on its own, is forgivable. Put two together and even a well-cut suit can’t save the outfit. Steam your polos, retire the ones with stretched collars, and keep the loud branded pieces for the gym.
Get the fit right, kill the small flaws, and these five looks will carry you from a beach club lunch to a Friday-casual office without missing a beat.
A strong wardrobe is not complete without polo shirts. As you see, they are universal pieces that can be worn in a bevy of different ways. Polos come in all kinds of colors and patterns – and from thousands of brands. Choose the style and fabric that you like and use these options to help you master how to style them.