A good polo is one of the most versatile pieces a wardrobe can hold. It sits between a T-shirt and a shirt, which means it can lean in either direction. Here are seven ways to wear one — from the working day to the evening — without changing the polo itself.
1. With tailored trousers
The simplest way to make a polo formal. Tuck it into a clean, tailored trouser and let the collar do the work a tie would otherwise do. Keep the colours close: black with sand, or white with taupe.
2. Under an open jacket
Replace the shirt beneath a jacket with a polo. The collar sits against the lapel and the whole look relaxes by a degree without losing its structure.
3. With raw denim
Denim and a polo is a weekend uniform for good reason. Let the contrast between the knit and the denim carry the look, and keep everything else simple.
4. Tonal, head to toe
Choose one colour family and dress in it completely — a black polo with black trousers, or taupe with sand. Tonal dressing is the fastest way to look deliberate.
5. Grounded with boots
Swap trainers for boots and a polo immediately feels more serious. The weight at the foot balances the open collar above.
6. Tucked, with a belt, for the office
A fully tucked polo, a slim leather belt and a pressed trouser make a complete office look — more considered than a T-shirt, less formal than a shirt and tie.
7. All black, for the evening
A black polo, black trousers, black boots. Nothing else. It is the most restrained version of the look, and the most striking.
One polo. Seven identities. The piece does not change; the architecture around it does.
