Man wearing a blue striped polo shirt and white trousers.

How To Wear A Polo Shirt: 6 Ways

One of the smartest and most versatile items a man can own, read on for 6 polo shirt outfits that will take you from deck to dinner and beyond.

Occupying the sweet spot between smart and casual, it’s no surprise that the polo shirt has outgrown its sporting roots to become a menswear classic. This warm-weather staple deserves a place in every man’s wardrobe, and there are plenty of ways to wear it – and we would know a thing or two.

Our first Ralph Lauren polo shirt was introduced in 1972 and was made of breathable, summer-ready piqué cotton and embroidered with our signature polo player. With both style and function, it quickly gained popularity among sports enthusiasts, before becoming a favourite of the world’s most stylish men shortly afterwards. But what makes it so enduring? The neat collar? The breathable, subtly textured fabric, perfect for sunny days? The timeless smart-casual appeal? More likely it’s a combination of all three - and if you haven’t before, now is the best time to invest. Here are our favourite new-season styles and how to wear them.

Embrace colour

We can’t think of a better way to salute sunnier days than with a colour-blocked polo shirt. Whether you prefer zingy citrus shades or all-out powerful primaries, the warmer weather is all about letting an abundance of colour into your wardrobe. That said, you don’t need to be a walking rainbow. If head-to-toe colour feels like an overwhelming starting point, lean in to pairing your brights with black. This palette-cleansing backdrop allows contrasting colour to shine without taking you too far out of your comfort zone. A zesty shade like this classic cotton polo in orange is perfect for breathing new life into your existing off-duty pieces.

Man in a pink polo shirt with white trousers.
Close-up of a man wearing a light green textured polo shirt under a beige jacket.

Switch up your collars

Zip or open collars are great ways to modernise the polo and have the ability to segue a daytime look straight into evening. Featuring a classic Johnny collar, rib knit armbands, and an embroidered pony insignia, our Custom Slim-Fit Mesh Polo is a subtly-stretchy shirt that is designed to accommodate higher temperatures on balmy nights.

Be bold with a print

The arrival of brighter days and warmer weather signals a shift in mood for men’s style, with grey conservatism giving way to vibrant colour and bold prints. Don’t let your jazzy shirts have all the fun, a statement-making polo shirt can just as easily carry you from casual weekends at the beach to dressed-up nights on the town. A fun take on classic polo shirt styles, pledge your allegiance with this American flag design. Just remember, bright, bold patterns are best deployed against neutral backgrounds; pair yours with beige cotton-canvas knee-length shorts and leather boat shoes.

Man in a navy blue polo shirt with a bird print, paired with denim jeans.
Man in a blue and white striped rugby polo shirt, wearing yellow shorts and a white cap.

Choose a long sleeve

Despite being perfect for off-duty summertime outfits, the polo shirt will also work superbly as a layering piece when the weather gets colder. For that tricky in-between season, when it’s too hot for a sweatshirt; too cold for a T-shirt, let us introduce to you – the long-sleeved polo shirt. The perfect middle ground between the traditional polo and the everyday Oxford shirt, this new iteration of the staple polo is just as classic as its short-sleeved counterpart and for good reason: it’s chic, easy to wear and will last you well throughout the seasons. Made from soft cotton, this camel design will work year-round. For a classic long-sleeve polo outfit, partner yours with selvedge denim and crisp white sneakers for evening events, layering it with a lightweight jacket and a heavier coat come winter.

Partner with tailoring

Wearing a polo with your suit is a great way to switch up your office wardrobe and can even make this day-time staple evening appropriate. However, if you choose to pair your polo shirt with dress pants, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, colour: avoid any too-bright or printed styles which may scream beach chic, instead keep it simple and go with a solid neutral design. Then, you’ll want to keep your collar structured; buttoning it up all the way will keep it in check. When it comes to your feet, you’ll also want to dress it up – no flip-flops, instead opt for a polished pair of leather loafers. If you’re on vacation or heading to a destination wedding, feel free to eschew socks – baring ankles is practically mandatory while in sunnier climes. And finally, to inject a little flair and personality into your look, don’t be afraid to accessorise with a watch or toned-down jewellery.

Man in a beige blazer layered over a light green polo shirt, paired with white trousers.
Man in a white polo shirt and beige trousers.

When in doubt, go classic

When it comes to finding a summer staple, our confidence in a classic white polo shirt remains unmatched. A staple piece for any holiday look, from deck to dinner, a white polo shirt can work just as well with a colourful pair of floral swim shorts as it will with a crisp pair of chinos in the evening. With such a simple design, however, fit is key. For a warm-weather shorts and polo shirt outfit, choose a form-fitting, three-buttoned style and pair it with neutral colours by day, dressing it up for evening with navy linen trousers and a few carefully chosen accessories. A pair of boat-ready sunglasses, or some polished leather loafers will do nicely.