How do you wear a polo? This is how you combine a polo shirt as a man

How do you wear a polo? A good polo shirt is exactly between a T-shirt and a shirt: casual enough for everyday use, but with enough structure to also be neatly combined. The most important points are fit, collar, length and what you wear with it.

How should a polo fit?

A polo may fit, but does not have to be tight around the chest and stomach. The shoulder seams should lie logically on your shoulders and the sleeves should follow your upper arms without cutting into them.

With vintage polos and older brands, the fit may be looser or longer than with modern slim-fit models. Therefore, do not just look at S, M, L or XL, but especially at how the shirt actually fits.

How long can a polo be?

A polo that you wear loose should be long enough to cover your waist, but not so long that it looks like a tunic. Some polos have a longer back; this is normal and can actually help when you tuck it in.

If you want to wear the polo in your pants, extra length is nice so that it does not constantly come out of the pants when you move.

Tuck the polo in or wear it loose?

Both is possible. The occasion and trousers determine what works best.

• Loose: with jeans, chinos and a casual outfit.
• Tucked in: with smart trousers, under a jacket or when you want to dress up the outfit.

A belt and dress shoes make a tucked-in polo look natural. more formal. For a relaxed summer look, loose usually feels more natural.

How do you wear the collar?

Leave the collar normally flat. A permanently turned up polo collar is above all a distinctive style choice and rarely necessary for a neat combination.

Check second-hand polo shirts to see whether the collar still has a nice shape. A stretched or strongly curled collar can make an otherwise good shirt look less neat.

How many buttons do you button?

Usually one open knot works well. Two open buttons loosen the polo; all buttons closed actually gives a tighter image. There is no fixed rule for every model, because the length of the closure and the shape of the collar differ.

Polo with jeans

A polo with jeans is one of the simplest combinations. Dark blue, gray or calm mid-blue denim works with almost any plain polo.

For a preppy look, you can add loafers or dress shoes. With sneakers it automatically becomes sportier.

Polo with chinos or trousers

A chino immediately makes the polo a little neater. Think of beige, olive, dark blue or gray. A nice polo also works well with smart trousers, especially if the polo has a calm color and fits well.

A knitted polo works particularly well for this, because the structure often looks a bit dressier than a sporty piqué polo.

Can you wear a polo under a jacket?

Yes. A polo under a jacket is a strong smart-casual combination. Preferably choose a polo with a collar that is sturdy enough to stay neatly under the jacket.

A dark blue jacket with a cream or light blue polo is simple; a tweed jacket with a darker polo works well in autumn and winter.

You can find more combinations in what do you wear under a jacket?.

Polo under a leather jacket

A polo can also work well under a leather jacket. The result is slightly dressier than a T-shirt, but still relaxed. A simple leather blouson or bomber in particular combines easily with a polo.

Read also what do you wear under a leather jacket?.

Which colors are easy?

Dark blue, white, cream, gray, dark green and burgundy are easy to combine. Pastel shades work well in spring and summer; darker shades naturally look a bit dressier.

With a polo with stripes or print, you prefer to keep the trousers and jacket quieter.

Common mistakes with a polo

• Too tight: tension at buttons or stomach quickly makes the polo uneasy.
• Too long: a loose polo that falls far over the hip often looks heavy.
• Slack collar: this is easily noticeable, especially under a jacket.
• Too many logos or contrasts: makes a neat combination immediately sportier.
• Wrong layer underneath: a visible T-shirt at the neck can be messy eyes.

Vintage polos and sizing

Sizing can vary considerably with older polos. A vintage L can be narrower, shorter or wider than a modern L. Therefore, look at actual dimensions and fit.

Second-hand polos at EcoGents

In our collection second-hand and vintage polos you will find both quiet classics and outspoken models. In the store they are sorted by size, so you can quickly compare which cut and length works best.