How to Style a Polo Shirt for Men

A polo shirt sits between a t-shirt and a button-up, which is why it works in so many places. This guide covers how a polo should fit, which colors and fabrics to buy, what pants, shoes, and jackets go with it, and complete outfits from weekend casual to business casual.

Types of Polo Shirts

Not every polo does the same job. The fabric and collar decide how casual or smart it looks.

Piqué cotton polo: The classic version, with a textured, breathable knit. Casual to smart casual. The collar is usually soft and ribbed, so it can curl over time.

Jersey polo: Smoother and softer, like a t-shirt with a collar. More casual, and it drapes closer to the body.

Knitted polo: Made from a finer knit, often merino wool or cotton, sometimes with an open collar and no buttons. The smartest type. Works well under a blazer.

Long-sleeve polo: Usually a knit. A good fall and winter option that does the job of a sweater and a shirt at once.

Performance polo: Synthetic, stretchy, and made for golf, tennis, or hot weather. Keep it for sport or very casual days. The shiny fabric looks out of place in smart outfits.

If you own one polo, make it a navy piqué. If you own three, add a white piqué and a knitted polo in grey or navy.

How a Polo Shirt Should Fit

Fit matters more with a polo than with most shirts, because the fabric is soft and shows every bit of excess or tightness.

Shoulders: The seam sits at the edge of your shoulder. If it falls down your arm, the polo is too big.

Chest: Close to the body without pulling. The buttons shouldn’t strain and the fabric shouldn’t stretch across the chest.

Sleeves: End around mid-bicep. The opening should sit close to the arm without squeezing it. Wide, flapping sleeves are the clearest sign of a polo that’s too big.

Length: The hem should cover your belt and end around the middle of the fly or the top of the hips, so it can be worn untucked. If it covers most of your seat, it’s too long to wear out.

Waist: A slight taper, but no clinging. A polo that hugs the stomach is a size too small.

Collar: Lies flat against the collarbone and keeps its shape. A curled or flattened collar makes even a new polo look tired.

Note the tennis tail: many polos have a slightly longer back hem. It was designed to stay tucked during sport, and it’s fine untucked as long as the front hem is the right length.

Best Polo Shirt Colors

Navy: The most versatile. Works with khaki, grey, white, and denim, and is smart enough for business casual.

White: Clean and summery. Pairs with almost anything, but shows wear quickly, so replace it when it yellows.

Grey: Mid or heather grey is relaxed and easy with navy, black, and olive.

Black: Sharp for evening and casual outfits. Looks best in a knitted polo or a good piqué rather than thin jersey.

Light blue and pale pink: Good summer colors. Both work with navy, grey, and stone. The pink shirt guide covers the pant colors that work best with pink.

Olive, forest green, and burgundy: Deeper colors that suit fall. Pair them with khaki, grey, or dark denim.

Stripes: Thin horizontal stripes add interest. Keep the rest of the outfit plain.

Start with neutrals and add color once you have the basics. Bright reds, oranges, and purples are the hardest to wear outside summer and sport.

How to Wear a Polo: Buttons and Tucking

Buttons: Leave the top button undone, or both if the placket has two or three. Buttoning all the way to the top without a jacket looks stiff on most men.

Collar: Keep it down. A popped collar looks dated in almost every setting.

Untucked: The default for casual outfits with jeans, chinos, or shorts, as long as the hem is the right length.

Tucked: Tuck it in with tailored trousers, with a blazer, or for business casual. Add a leather belt that matches your shoes.

What Pants Go With a Polo Shirt?

Chinos: The most natural pairing. Khaki, stone, navy, olive, or grey. Slim or straight fit. A navy polo with khaki chinos is hard to get wrong. More ideas in the khaki pants guide.

Dark jeans: Slim or straight dark denim for casual outfits. Clean jeans keep it sharp. Heavy distressing pushes it too casual.

Tailored trousers: Grey wool, navy, or charcoal trousers turn a polo into business casual. Tuck it in.

Linen trousers: Summer only. Beige, stone, or white linen with a navy, white, or light blue polo.

Shorts: Chino shorts that end mid-thigh to just above the knee. Navy, khaki, stone, or olive. More combinations in the men’s shorts outfit ideas guide.

Avoid: suit trousers worn with a casual piqué polo and nothing else. The two pieces sit too far apart in formality unless a blazer bridges the gap.

What Shoes Go With a Polo Shirt?

White leather sneakers: The easiest casual option. Works with jeans, chinos, and shorts.

Loafers: Penny or tassel loafers in brown leather or suede. The best smart casual choice, and they work with chinos, trousers, or shorts.

Boat shoes: Summer and coastal outfits with shorts or chinos. Brown leather or navy suede.

Suede chukka boots: Fall outfits with chinos or dark jeans.

Brown Derby shoes: For business casual with trousers and a tucked polo.

Espadrilles: Summer, with linen or chino shorts.

Avoid: formal black Oxfords with a casual untucked polo, and running shoes outside the gym.

What Jackets Go With a Polo Shirt?

Blazer: Navy or grey, ideally unstructured. A knitted polo or a polo with a firm collar works best, because a soft piqué collar can collapse under the lapels. See what to wear with a navy blazer for more combinations.

Bomber jacket: Casual, with a polo, dark jeans, and white sneakers. More on fit and colors in the bomber jacket guide.

Harrington jacket: A short, lightweight zip jacket that suits a polo well. Navy, stone, or olive.

Denim jacket: Casual, best with chinos rather than jeans to avoid double denim of the same shade.

Cardigan: A fine-knit cardigan over a polo is a good office layer in cooler months.

Overshirt: A cotton or wool overshirt worn open over a polo for fall weekends.

Casual Polo Shirt Outfits

Weekend: Navy piqué polo (untucked) + khaki chinos + white leather sneakers.

Denim: Grey polo + dark slim jeans + white sneakers. Add a navy bomber when it’s cool.

Evening casual: Black knitted polo + black or charcoal slim chinos + black suede loafers. Simple and sharp. The guide to wearing all black has more on keeping dark outfits from looking flat.

Smart Casual Polo Shirt Outfits

Classic: White polo (tucked) + navy chinos + brown leather belt + brown penny loafers.

With a blazer: Navy knitted polo + grey trousers + unstructured navy or grey blazer + brown suede loafers. The casual blazer guide covers how relaxed the jacket can go.

Fall layer: Burgundy polo + olive chinos + suede chukka boots + cotton overshirt worn open.

For more on where smart casual starts and ends, see the smart casual dress code guide.

Business Casual Polo Shirt Outfits

A polo can work in many offices, but only if it’s plain, well fitted, and tucked.

Office default: Navy polo (tucked) + charcoal wool trousers + brown leather belt + brown Derby shoes.

With a cardigan: White or light blue polo + grey fine-knit cardigan + navy chinos + brown loafers.

Smarter version: Black long-sleeve knitted polo + grey trousers + charcoal blazer + black leather loafers. This works for client lunches and offices with a relaxed dress code. The grey blazer guide has more on pairing a grey jacket.

Check your office first. Some workplaces treat polos as casual Friday only.

Summer Polo Shirt Outfits

Beach or vacation: Light blue polo + white or stone linen shorts + espadrilles or leather sandals. Add sunglasses and a simple watch.

Summer smart: Pale pink polo + beige linen trousers + tan loafers or boat shoes.

Hot city day: White polo + navy chino shorts + white canvas sneakers.

For more hot-weather outfits, see men’s summer fashion.

Fall and Winter Polo Shirt Outfits

A short-sleeve piqué polo is a warm-weather shirt. In colder months, switch to a long-sleeve knitted polo in merino or a heavier cotton, and layer over it.

Knit polo and cords: Forest green long-sleeve knitted polo + brown or tan corduroy trousers + brown suede chukka boots.

Under a coat: Navy long-sleeve knitted polo + grey flannel trousers + camel overcoat + dark brown leather loafers. The polo collar sits neatly inside the coat lapels without the bulk of a sweater and shirt.

Weekend layer: Grey long-sleeve polo + dark slim jeans + olive field jacket or quilted jacket + brown leather boots.

Darker, richer colors suit the season better than pastels. Navy, charcoal, forest green, burgundy, and camel all work.

Accessories With a Polo

Keep accessories simple. A polo is a clean, plain shirt, so small additions show.

Watch: A leather strap watch for smart casual, a metal bracelet or canvas strap for casual.

Belt: When the polo is tucked, wear a belt. Match the leather color to your shoes.

Sunglasses: Classic shapes like wayfarers or aviators with summer outfits.

Skip chains worn over the polo and large logos on caps if you’re aiming for a smart look.

Polo Shirt Mistakes to Avoid

Wrong fit: Sleeves flapping, hem hanging past the seat, or fabric stretched over the stomach. Fit fixes more than color does.

Popped collar: It looks dated. Keep the collar flat.

Curled, faded collars: Replace polos when the collar loses shape or the color fades. Wash them cold and dry them flat to make them last.

Large logos for smart outfits: Small embroidered logos are fine. Big logos and prints keep a polo casual.

Performance polos off the course: Shiny synthetic fabric looks out of place with chinos and loafers. Stick to cotton or wool for everyday wear.

Tucked polo with no belt: A tucked polo without a belt looks unfinished.

Polo with a suit: A piqué polo under a full suit rarely works. If you want a collared knit under tailoring, use a fine knitted polo with a blazer and contrasting trousers.

FAQs

Should you tuck in a polo shirt?

Tuck it in with tailored trousers, under a blazer, or for business casual. Leave it untucked with jeans, chinos, or shorts for casual outfits. If the polo is too long to wear untucked, it’s the wrong size.

How should a polo shirt fit?

The shoulder seam should sit at the edge of your shoulder, the sleeves should end mid-bicep and sit close to the arm, and the hem should cover your belt without covering your seat. It should be close to the body without pulling across the chest.

Can you wear a polo shirt with a blazer?

Yes. A knitted polo or a polo with a firm collar works best, because soft piqué collars can collapse under the lapels. Pair it with chinos or trousers in a different color from the blazer, and leather loafers.

Can you wear a polo shirt to work?

In most business casual offices, yes. Choose a plain polo in navy, white, grey, or black, tuck it into chinos or tailored trousers, and wear leather shoes. In a formal office, a button-up shirt is still the safer choice.

What shoes go with a polo shirt?

White leather sneakers and loafers are the most versatile options. Boat shoes and espadrilles suit summer outfits, suede chukkas work in fall, and Derby shoes suit business casual.

Should you button the top button of a polo?

Usually no. Leave the top button, or the top two, undone. Buttoning a polo all the way up can work under a jacket with a knitted polo, but on its own it tends to look stiff.