Polo Shirt. What’s more, you can expect from this one classic versatile piece.
In simple words, a Polo shirt = Smartness.
Yes, even if a no-brainer (Like me) wears a polo shirt, it’ll elevate the style, and appearance, and make you look smarter.
Making them a must-have wardrobe staple for men.
Although, having 5 to 10 pieces of polo shirts isn’t a thing, matching them with the right pieces of clothing is the real thing.
Though its versatility allows them to match any clothes you wear, This blog post will walk you through the 13 classic polo shirt outfit ideas for men.
Whether you are dressing for a relaxed casual outing or dressing up for formal settings, these polo outfit ideas have covered everything.
Without any ado, let’s get started with the classic men’s polo outfit ideas.
Things to Consider in Men’s Polo Shirts
Before going through the polo outfits, you need to know about the polo shirts to style them. Here are a few things to consider in the Men’s Polo Shirts.
Material matters
When it comes to showcasing the polo shirt style, the material of the polo shirt plays a huge part. The traditional choice of the polo shirt is of course the cotton fabric.
Easy to maintain and perfectly breathable. Apart from cotton, polo shirts are made of;
- Poly-Cotton
- Pique Polo
- Knitted
- Synthetic fabrics
- Interlock knit
Though, Knitted polo shirts are trending now.
As you can see, style fellas are opting for this unique styled knit polo shirt—a textured polo shirt made from a blend of cotton and polyester.
Fit is the key
Forget about all the fashion trends.
We are talking about the classic polo shirt style here. So, forget the drop shoulders, and everything. The classic and right polo shirt fit must be;
- Sleeves should perfectly sit on the mid-biceps
- The seam should align perfectly with the edge of your shoulders.
- The collar should lie flat against the neck without rolling or gaping.
- Polo shirts fit neither too tight nor too loose. Aim for a classic fit or slim fit.
This is how a polo shirt must fit.
However, when considering all these crucial factors, you should ensure it doesn’t choke your skin. It should be in the right fit, I mean not too loose or not too tight.
Polo shirt length
The Polo Shirt length is another crucial factor of a well-fitted and classically looked polo shirt.
The ideal length of the polo shirt is it should hit slightly below the waistband of your trousers, allowing for easy movement without excessive bunching when tucked in.
A Polo shirt that is too long will make you look shorter, while one that is too short will leave regret when sitting or bending forward.
So, aim for the ideal length of the polo shirt.
Colors, Textures, and Patterns
When it comes to polo shirts, the major thing that elevates your style statement is the polo shirt’s color, texture, and pattern.
By choosing color options, you have classic neutrals like navy, white, black, grey, tan, olive green, and other versatile colors that effortlessly pair with any of your bottoms.
Experiment with different types of patterns like bold stripes, or subtle patterns to add visual interest.
Speaking of textures in the polo shirt, knitted polos, and sweater textured polos are trending now.
From social media influencers to old-money aesthetic enthusiasts, everyone is opting for textured polos to appear classy.
It’s worth giving it a try, it’ll effortlessly show a luxury lifestyle.
13 Polo Shirt Outfit Ideas for Men
Knitted Polo Shirt
Knitted-styled polo shirts are getting trendy these days.
I’ve also mentioned it has one of the Men’s Fashion Trends in 2024.
If you surf through social media and Pinterest, you can see that millionaires, entrepreneurs, and style influencers are opting for this Knitted style polo shirt.
It gives an old-money aesthetic vibe to those who wear it.
Opting for this polo shirt style is one of the best ways to style a polo shirt.
The Knitted polo collars which are made of woven will keep your appearance in between the casual and formal, giving you a smart casual look.
To make it more appealing, you have to try tailored trousers and tailored trousers with more texture than any other bottoms.
Finish the outfit with nice dress shoes for a formal appearance, white sneakers to add a touch of casual, or loafers for a smart casual outfit.
Polo shirt tucked in tailored trousers
The ideal way to wear a polo shirt is tuck-in. It makes a huge transition from the usual look to a more formally refined appearance.
Especially the tailored polo shirt tucked into tailored trousers.
Tailoring outfits getting a lot more popular these days.
A crisp tailored polo shirt tucked into tailored trousers creates a more polished yet minimalist appearance.
Choose a crisp cotton or pique polo in neutral colors like beige, tan, navy, olive green, or grey paired with tailored wool trousers in a complementing shade.
Tuck in the polo shirt neatly all around and put on a nice sleek leather belt. Complete the tailored polo shirt outfit with penny loafers.
Smart Casual Look
Let’s achieve a nice smart casual appearance for settings that don’t require too formal and too casual. Matching two versatile pieces here.
Opting for a Poly/Cotton polo shirt in (let’s attain some earthy tones here) light blue, olive green, beige, light jade green, teal blue, grey-green paired with a well-fitted chinos in nice complementing colors like navy, moss green, or any other colors.
Complete the outfit with a nice pair of leather sneakers.
When speaking of versatility, you can either wear a polo shirt tucked in or tuck it out with chinos, adding a casual cliff without neglecting the smart casual look.
Polo Shirt with Shorts
The Thing I’ve mentioned above about, “The Versatility”, I mean it.
Polo shirts are also can be worn as sportswear.
You can often see tennis players like Novak Djokovic, Rod Laver, John McEnroe, and others wearing sports-styled polo shirts with shorts.
Also, you can tuck in a polo shirt into shorts for a bit refined look without negotiating comfort.
As well as this laid-back outfit can be your go-to summer outfit for beach days, golf courses, and so many outdoor activities.
Choose a crisp fitted polo shirt color navy, tan, beige, or white and pair shorts.
Oh! Speaking of shorts, don’t just go with random shorts.
Instead, choose chinos shorts that pair perfectly with the polo shirt style. Finish off the outfit with white leather sneakers and don’t forget to wear socks.
Pair a Polo Shirt with Jeans
Alright, the polo shirts with jeans, working out for ages.
Whether you are planning to go out for a casual occasion or a friend’s outing, opt for a crisp polo shirt with slim-fitted jeans.
Never try crisp well-fitted polos with baggy jeans which will ruin your appearance.
The Key to pairing a polo shirt with jeans is to add a touch of ruggedness to your appearance.
Choose a pique polo shirt in any color like maroon, grey, beige, white, or black, and pair it with whitewashed blue jeans or black jeans.
Finish off the outfit with casual loafers or sneakers that match the outfit, probably white.
This outfit gives you a more modern look while maintaining your style.
Layer up with Blazers
Polo shirts can also act as a base layer. Wearing a polo shirt underneath the blazers sets you ready for business casual settings.
It’s an unusual polo shirt outfit but still works well if you wore right.
If you decide to opt for this polo outfit for men, make sure to choose a tailored piece of clothing, from polo shirts to blazers.
Opt for a crisp polo shirt in black or white paired with a navy blazer or earthy-toned brown blazer for an uncommon look.
Tuck in the polo shirt with chinos for a smart casual look and finish off the outfit with casual loafers.
Sweater Polo Outfit
The Sweater polo a classic Mix of Long Sleeve Sweaters and Polo Shirts.
Opting for a sweater polo is a cool way to dress up a polo shirt.
Pair a slim classic fitted sweater polo in colors like beige, tan, and brown paired with black or white trousers.
Complete the outfit with dress loafers.
Apart from trousers, you can also opt for dark wash jeans and finish off the outfit with suede chukka boots for an effortless weekend vibe.
Polo Shirt with Jacket
Want to try a different style of polo shirt outfit? Wear a polo shirt underneath a suede jacket.
This modern-styled polo shirt outfit gives you an unusual yet classic modern vibe.
Wear a beige color cotton polo and opt for a suede maroon jacket paired with navy chinos. Complete the outfit with modern-styled chunky sneakers.
To enhance the outfit even more modernized, opt for Bennie to add a touch to your outfit.
This outfit will for sure turn the heads of many.
Street Style Polo Outfit
The thing I mentioned above is, “Never wear a polo shirt with baggy jeans”, forget it!
If you are a street-styled enthusiast and want to try a polo shirt, opt for an oversized polo shirt and pair it with baggy jeans.
Oversized outfits give you a more street-styled vibe.
You can rock this outfit that separates you from the norm crowd effortlessly.
To enhance the outfit and make it a more street-style vibe, opt for an oversized polo shirt paired with baggy jeans and finish off the outfit with chunky loafers or chunky sneakers.
Opt for a few accessories like a cross-body sling bag, necklace, and rings, and that’s enough.
And you are ready to rock the streets with the street-styled polo shirt outfit.
Monochrome Polo Outfit
Wearing polo shirt outfits in different shades is getting popular these days, becoming one of the trending men’s fashions of 2024.
An easy way to dress smart casual and put together matching colors.
Nothing but wearing different shades in the same color palette is the monochromatic polo outfit for men.
Opt for a well-fitted beige or tan polo shirt paired with brown chinos or trousers and finish off the outfit with white sneakers or dark brown loafers.
This outfit gives you a more put-together vibe and suits a vast range of occasions.
If you are a style trend follower, this can be your go-to short-sleeved polo shirt outfit.
Polo Shirt with Joggers
Polo’s versatility allows you to pair it with joggers as well for a more relaxed look.
However, this outfit won’t fit most occasions, though you can opt for unplanned vacations, traveling, or any other related occasion.
When opting for this outfit, choose a jersey or polyester polo and pair it with joggers.
Complete the outfit with sports sneakers or casual loafers, one of the laid-back polo shirt outfits.
Polo Shirt with Chelsea Boot
Going to any formal setting with more refined polo outfits for men, opt for a well-fitted polo shirt paired with tailored trousers and complete the outfit with the classic Chelsea boot.
Ah! The Classic Chelsea Boot.
You can see the Chelsea boot traffic getting bigger and bigger. Many style enthusiasts and influencers are speaking for the Chelsea boot.
If you want to try Chelsea boots, you can wear them with polos.
Old Money Aesthetic Outfit
Last but not least, the old money aesthetic polo outfit.
You have probably heard of these old-money aesthetic outfits on social media, getting popular.
And Yes, you can wear a polo shirt in old money aesthetic style. All you require is to pick the right color, and pattern and put them together.
First off, opt for a long-sleeved textured stripe polo paired with pleated trousers.
Choosing colors, you have navy, white, beige, and apricot polos, and pair them with complementary colored pleated trousers.
Complete the outfit with beige or white casual loafers.
Loafers do play a vital role in putting together the old-money aesthetic outfit.
If you want to try old-money aesthetic outfits, this polo shirt outfit is for you.
Common Polo Shirt Mistakes to Avoid
Though polo shirts are classic, people make mistakes in styling their polo shirts. Here are the common mistakes people make when opting for polo outfit ideas male.
Pockets in a Polo Shirt
No Pocket in a polo shirt! Yes, Polo shirts don’t have pockets.
Polo shirts with pockets don’t appear good.
There are brands and non-branded polo shirts that have pockets in polo shirts.
But the classic polo shirt doesn’t have a pocket. So, make sure to opt for a polo shirt that doesn’t have a pocket.
Pockets in a Polo Shirt
No Pocket in a polo shirt! Yes, Polo shirts don’t have pockets.
Polo shirts with pockets don’t appear good.
There are brands and non-branded polo shirts that have pockets in polo shirts.
But the classic polo shirt doesn’t have a pocket. So, make sure to opt for a polo shirt that doesn’t have a pocket.
Nothing, if your polo shirts have pockets, it’ll make your appearance look odd and make you think something is wrong with your outfit.
Larger Logos
Some brands produce polo shirts with larger logos of their companies, Why? we are not going to market the brand, are we? then why?
Having larger logos on the polo shirts doesn’t make you look good.
Logos in the polo shirts are fine. You see brands like Nike and Lacoste produce polo shirts with logos.
But you can see that the Lacoste or Nike logos on the polo shirts are minimal.
That won’t affect your look and the classic style of polos.
Overly Saturated Colors
Overly saturated colors, I hate it.
For me, overly saturated colors are too flashy that isn’t the right way to choose the colors of polo.
When choosing the polo shirt colors, you should consider choosing the one that should not make people point and smile at you.
And the overly saturated colors are the foundation of making you look like a clown.
Classic polo shirt colors are navy, black, light blue, olive green, cream, beige, maroon, etc. Woo! How can I forget the classic polo shirt color – The White, Exactly.
No Undershirt
Polo shirts need to be worn alone.
You should not wear an undershirt, inner vest, or anything under the polo shirt.
Wearing an undershirt beneath a polo shirt can add extra bulkiness, particularly around the area where the undershirt is worn.
This additional bulkiness can be barely noticeable.
It’s best to avoid wearing undershirts beneath polo shirts.
Let the polo shirt stand out on its own and make a statement.
The Bottom Line
Polo shirts are classic and never go out of style.
Its versatility allows you to wear it with any bottoms, if it’s worn right, it’ll make a style statement effortlessly.
I hope this blog on polo shirt outfits unveils what you are looking for.
That’s it from my side, let’s hear it from you.
What are your favorite polo shirt outfits, and on what occasions do you mostly opt for a polo shirt outfit?
Either way, let me know in the comments. Curious to hear from you!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do you style a polo shirt for men?
You can wear anything with a polo shirt. Its adaptability enables it to pair with any bottom wear. You can pair a polo shirt with jeans, chinos, tailored trousers, and even shorts for a more laid-back appearance. When finishing off the outfit, you can choose loafers or leather sneakers. Each polo outfit suits each occasion.
Can I wear jeans with polos?
A Big Yes! Wearing a polo shirt with jeans will add a touch of ruggedness to your outfit. But when wearing a well-fitted polo means opt for slim-fit jeans. And if you want to go with the street-styled appearance, opt for oversized polos with baggy jeans for more appearance.
Is a polo shirt casual or formal?
Polo shirts are considered casual. There are some factors like material, collar style, buttons, fit, and patterns that add a formality to the polo shirt style. They are too relaxed and informal for formal or business settings that require a crisp dress shirt.
How do you style a white polo shirt?
White polo shirts are the classic color of polo. You can pair the white polo shirt with any color bottoms like tan chinos shorts, navy-tailored trousers, light wash jeans, and many more to complete the outfit with loafers or sneakers.
What color pants go well with a polo?
Any color pants that complement the polo shirt color go well. For instance, if it is a white polo shirt, you can pair it with any color pants like black, navy, tan, beige, brown, or others. Or if you are opting for earthy tones like beige, olive green, brown, or others, choose the color pants that complement the earthy tones like black, brown, grey, or white.