Are you a fashion-conscious individual? Then, you certainly love wearing top styles of clothing, like polo shirts. Polos are a timeless wardrobe essential that combines comfort with style. They are your perfect companion to the golf course, office, and weekend outings. However, you need to choose them in the right style for the aforementioned purposes.
In this guide, we’ll talk about polos in depth to help you choose the top ones. We are going to talk about their different types. In addition, we’ll share tips on how to choose polo shirts and how to wear them for style. But before that, we want to talk about their history. And why these shirts are a wardrobe essential for every man.
The History of the Polo Shirt: From Sport to Fashion
The history of a polo shirt dates back to the late 19th century. At that time, players needed a garment that was comfortable and also practical. There were early versions made as long-sleeve shirts with stiff collars. And polo players in British India wore them, made of cotton or wool, in general. However, René Lacoste, a French tennis champion gets the credit for modern versions of polos. He invented a short-sleeved breathable and lightweight cotton fabric (Petit Pique) polo, the “Lacoste Polo.” The polo he created had a soft collar, which players could pop up to protect their necks from the sun. And it offers a relaxed and comfortable fit to players, unlike stiff, button-up shirts of the time.
Initially, tennis players wore the iconic polo that Lacoste created. However, it quickly became popular outside sports. Around the middle of the 20th century, businessmen and celebrities wore Lacoste's invention dressed up or down. At that time, movie stars like James Dean and Steve McQueen wore it. It made the invention a symbol of leisure and sophistication.
Moreover, the brand “Ralph Lauren” in the early 1970s, accentuated the status of polo as a luxury item. It added elements of high-end fashion to the simple yet timeless polo shirts. In the 1980s, polo shirts gained more traction and finally made their way to fashion.
Today, polos as smart casual shirts remain a pick of both stylish elites and athletes. They are a wardrobe must-have for every man to achieve polished looks effortlessly.
Why Polo Shirts Are a Wardrobe Essential for Every Man
Similar to t-shirts, polo shirts are a wardrobe essential for every man. Here are the reasons: Why?
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Perfect for Any Occasion
Men can wear a polo shirt for different occasions, dressed up or down. They can wear it to the office, weekend outings, and more. They pair well with jeans, shorts, and khakis, making them perfect for any occasion.
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Classic and Timeless
As classic and timeless garments, polos never go out of style. Men can pair these shirts with the right bottoms accordingly for work and an informal date.
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Inviting and Put Together
Many different men like polo shirts because of their casual appeal. And they allow for accomplishing various looks based on your style. For instance, you can look classy in a polo wearing it tucked into your pants. And wear a polo with jeans for a friendly hangout.
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Diverse Appeal
Polo shirts attract different types of men, ranging from businessmen to rockstars and, of course, athletes. They appeal to diverse men because of their versatility and appeal.
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Versatile
Unfortunately, some people think polos are the pick of the rich and famous only. This is far from the truth, as polos come in a variety of styles and colors. Not to mention, there are many affordable options available, too, for men’s polo shirts.
Moreover, polo shirts available today are not exclusively for men. Despite the fact they have a historical association with men, polos are available for women, too. So, polo shirts nowadays have become a unisex garment that both men and women can wear.
What Are the Different Types of Polo Shirts?
There are different types of polo shirts suiting distinct tastes, styles, and situations. Let’s talk about those types:
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Classic Polo Shirt: The Timeless Style Everyone Needs
Classic polo shirts are a style icon when it comes to polos. They boast a soft collar, short sleeves, and a modest button placket at their neckline. Made from premium cotton, the ubiquitous classic polos come in many colors and patterns. And these versatile polo shirts are appropriate for various occasions.
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Slim Fit Polo Shirts: Sleek and Stylish for a Modern Look
Slim-fit polos, popular in fashion-forward circles, are more close-fitting compared to classic polos. Wearing these shirts, you can accomplish a modern and sleek look. For this reason, they are an excellent choice for those who look to accentuate their physique.
Here, we would like to emphasize the comfort of slim-fit polos.
Are Slim Fit Polo Shirts Comfortable?
Slim-fit polos feature a very fitted cut at the waist and sleeves. And they have a shorter length, in general. It keeps them lightweight and flexible for users to keep up with their movement. However, a slim-fit polo shirt is not as comfortable as a classic polo.
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The Knitted Polo: Vintage Charm & Versatility
Knitted polo shirts or knit polos are a unique turn round to the traditional, classic polos. Made from knit fabric, these shirts have a textured look with a comfortable fit. They straddle a line between casual and formal attire. It makes them a perfect pick for relaxed weekends or business-casual settings.
Moreover, knit polo shirts are a bit more warm than regular cotton polos. So, they are a good choice to wear in transitional seasons like spring or fall.
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Piqué Polo Shirts: Classic and Textured
Pique polo shirts are a classic and texture version of polos. They are recognized for their slightly raised, waffle-like fabric. You can achieve more polished looks wearing these polo shirts. It makes these shirts ideal for semi-formal and business-casual settings. What’s more?
Pique polo shirts are breathable and durable. So they are a go-to option for any season, effortlessly blending comfort and style.
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Jersey Polo Shirts: Soft and Perfect
Jersey polos are softer and more relaxed polo shirts compared to pique polos. They feel like that because of their light cotton jersey fabric with a breathable feel. These shirts are perfect for warmer days and casual settings.
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Mesh Polo Shirts: Stylish and Comfy
Mesh polos are stylish and comfortable, which pair well with almost any pants or bottoms. In general, they are short-sleeved, with or without a pocket. These shirts have earned their name because of their breathable mesh fabric. And these polo shirts often remain a pick for sports or outdoor activities.
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Short Sleeve Polos: the Most Common
Short sleeve polos are the most common types of polo shirts. In general, you will find people wearing them, untucked. Nonetheless, you can wear them tucked, too. These polos come in almost every color and in a variety of patterns. But do you know short-sleeved polos are usually heavier than dress shirts and t-shirts, including regular and oversized tees? Yes, they are, and these shirts have a textured fabric with a bit of natural stretch.
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Long Sleeve Polos: Office-friendly
Unlike short sleeves, these office-friendly polos are long-sleeved. You may have already guessed that from their name. At times, long-sleeved polo shirts have unique details, like button-down collars distinguishing them from short-sleeved polos.
One style of long-sleeve polo we want to talk about here is a rugby polo:
The Rugby Polo: Sporty & Durable
Rugby polo shirts are durable and heavy. They often have broad horizontal stripes in alternate, contrasting colors and cuffs. As an example, they may have red, blue stripes with white collars and cuffs.
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The Pocket Polo: Functional & Stylish
The pocket polo is a practical twist to the original design of a polo shirt. Pocket polo shirts have a small pocket on the chest. Because of their pocket, they allow you to store small items, like pens or glasses. Not to mention, the pocket polo is a great addition to your wardrobe for a style statement.
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Stripe Polo Shirts: Playful with a Sporty Appeal
Stripe polos are playful shirts with a sporty aesthetic. They feature an athletic collar and placket with a classic hem. Further, stripe polos come in different textures and patterns. Furthermore, they offer you a good fit and are perfect for everyday wear.
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Color Block Polo Shirts: Upgraded Casual
Color block polos are a slightly upgraded version of casual polos. Thanks to their solid combination of colors alongside big block segments! These shirts may feature two or more contrasting colors in blocks or sections. Hence, they have earned their name.
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Performance Polo Shirts: Combining Comfort and Function
When looking for top styles of polos, you cannot overlook performance polos. A performance polo is your go-to option for an energetic lifestyle. Because of their technical fabric with moisture management, quick-drying, and anti-odor properties, they offer the best comfort and flexibility. In fact, many tank tops you can find today are moisture-wicking and quick-drying with anti-odor properties, similar to performance polos.
Moreover, you may look for moisture-wicking, cool, and comfortable polos for an active lifestyle as a woman. Then, don't forget to check out our Women's Dry Zone Grid Polo Shirt.
A popular style of performance polo we want to talk about here is a golf polo.
The Golf Polo: Perfect for the Green
Golf polo shirts have undergone their creation with enthusiastic golfers in mind. They are moisture-wicking shirts that keep golfers cool and dry even in intense golf games. In addition, they have a slim-fit design and elongated back hem. It allows for unrestricted movement while maintaining a sleek silhouette. What’s more?
You can find a golf polo in a wide array of colors and patterns. So, there is certainly a golf polo to suit your style to the golf course.
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Button-Down Collar Polo Shirts: The Smart Option for Work
Button-down collar polos as you can guess from their name have a button-down collar. These shirts are perfect for elevating your outfits while maintaining your comfort with an extra level of sophistication.
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Peter Pan Collar Polo Shirts: Girl-friendly
Peter Pan collar polo shirts have a rounded Peter Pan collar. Their fabric is silky smooth plus wrinkle and stain-resistant. These polo shirts offer a comfortable fit with a classic, improved look. But do you know that a Peter Pan Pan collar polo has become a wardrobe must-have for many girls? The reason for this is that Peter Pan polos are perfect for school uniforms and casual wear.
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Silk Touch Polo Shirts: Feel Like Silk
Silk touch polo shirts, also known as silk polos are ideal for athletic wear. They are lightweight shirts, which give you a feel of silk while you wear them. In addition, they have an insulation feature. So, a silk touch polo keeps you warm in winter and cool in summer.
Also, don’t forget to explore our complete style guide on: what to wear in summer.
How to Choose the Right Polo Shirt for Your Style
Here are the three things to consider when choosing the right polo shirt for your style:
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Polo Shirt Fabrics: Which Material is Best for You?
Consider the material of polo shirts first. Opt for cotton polo shirts for a traditional feel and performance polos for activewear or hot climates. And stick to blended fabric polo shirts when comfort and durability both matter to you.
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Fit is Kind: Consider, It
Choose polo shirts that fit you well, flattering your figure and boosting your confidence. Not to mention, a polo in the right fit looks more polished. So, never overlook the fit when choosing top styles of polo shirts.
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Pique vs. Jersey: Which Polo Shirt Fabric Is Right for You?
You can accomplish a classic, preppy look with a pique polo. Contrarily, you can look more relaxed with a casual feel in a jersey polo. So, choose the polo shirts accordingly to suit your style.
How to Style a Polo Shirt for Every Occasion
Now, let’s talk about styling the top styles of polo shirts for every occasion:
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Casual
Pair a jersey polo shirt with jeans or tailored shorts and sneakers.
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Office-Ready
Pair a long-sleeved polo shirt with chinos and dress shoes.
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Athleisure
Pair a performance polo shirt with tailored joggers and sneakers.
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Retro-Casual
Pair a knitted polo shirt with denim jeans and suede loafers.
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Weekend Smart Casual
Wear a pique polo shirt under a trench coat, paired with jeans and white sneakers.
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Summer Ready
Pair a jersey polo shirt with tailored shorts and espadrilles.
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Smart Casual
Wear a slim-fit polo shirt with tailored trousers and dress shoes.
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Creative or Artistic
Layer a rugby polo over a white button-down shirt, paired with tailored trousers.
Wrapping up
Polo shirts are a timeless wardrobe essential, blending comfort and style. Over time, they have made their way to fashion from sports. Initially targeted to men, polo shirts are available to women as well today as unisex garments. As versatile garments, there are many different types of polo shirts available to suit distinct tastes, styles, and situations. Classic, pique jersey, long-sleeve, pocket, performance, and silk polos, to recap some of their top styles.
Moreover, you can choose the right polo shirts that fit your style considering their material and fit. Lastly, you can style a polo shirt for every occasion based on their type and pairing.
