Polo Basics: What to Know and What to Look For With Your Polo Shirts (2024)

FAQs

What makes a high quality polo shirt? ›

Good quality polo shirts are made from light materials like cotton. Therefore, they should drape nicely over your body without showing too much of your body.

While polo shirts do have three buttons, it is advised to not button fully to the top or leave all the buttons undone. Think about buttoning your polo with a happy medium in mind and leave one or two open. And finally, popping the collar is currently not a trend.

Best Quality Polo Shirt

Ralph Lauren is a trusted luxury brand for a reason: Unmatched quality and classic designs. This polo is no exception—there are short sleeves with ribbed armbands, a flat collar and a signature embroidered pony.

The most traditional material for polo shirts is probably piqué. Piqué is a robust yet soft cotton double weave with a waffle-like structure. It is super easy-care, breathable and extremely absorbent, making it ideal for polo shirts for any occasion – even for sports.

As a general rule, it's better to stick to the plain polo shirt when you're first trying them out and perhaps to also experiment with more muted colours. White, black, navy and grey will offer you the most versatility as they work with most skin tones and body types.

There 3 main types of polo shirts include classic fit, regular fit, and slim fit. The Men's Slim Fit Polo offers up a fitted cut at the chest, waist, and sleeves, and a slightly shorter length.

The standard rule is that you should be able to pinch 1-2 inches of fabric on either side of your torso—even if you have a fuller body type. Many men mistakenly believe that baggy polo shirts will hide excess weight but these only work to make them look wider.

How many polo shirts does a man need? The answer is that you should own 2-3 polo shirts in different colors and 1-2 rugby polo shirts. Again, the five-finger rule will help you cherish your polo variety.

Since polo shirts are popular for their breathability and comfort, you shouldn't wear shirts beneath them. Polos should be slim fit in the chest and arms, which would not allow enough room for another shirt to be worn. If you have room for an undershirt, it's probably a sign your polo is too big to begin with.

No matter how many buttons your polo has, you always want to leave the top 1-2 buttons undone & never unbutton them all. Keep in mind that you want your buttons to end no further than the top of your armpits. Doing so frames your face and can make your entire outfit look more put together.

Is there 4 holes in a polo? ›

The answer to the question is "4", since it's talking about the holes in the letters that form the words "a polo". There is one hole each in the letters A, P, and the two O's. It might also mean the Polo brand of shirts, and most shirts have four holes in it; one for the head, two for arms, and one for the bottom.

Quality clothing, while more expensive, is inherently made better. From the higher-end fabrics that last longer, to the stitching (higher quality clothes have more stitches per inch to help the piece hold better over the years), clothes you spend more on are designed to last.

Many high quality shirts are made of high quality natural materials such as cotton or linen, if there is a synthetic blend to the fabric make sure it's functional such as spandex. Bad quality shirts will fade quickly in the wash, wrinkle easily, and look loose. This is easier to check if the shirt isn't a solid colour.

Ralph Lauren Polo and South African Polo are two different brands owned by two different companies and they are not affiliated with each other. The Ralph Lauren brand is an international brand by an American designer and the South African Polo brand is locally owned by L.A Group LTD.

Brooks Brothers introduced the first mass-marketed 'polo shirt' by debuting the 'The Original Button-Down Polo Shirt' in 1896.

Ralph Lauren is a Company built on authenticity.

Since founding the Company in 1967 and opening the first Polo Ralph Lauren store in California in 1971, Mr.

100% cotton polos are highly recommendable for those who seek comfort due to it being the softest and smoothest fabric available. As well as being ideal for those who simply seek comfort, cotton is also a natural fibre making it ideal for those who suffer from skin conditions such as sensitive skin or skin allergies.

Polos are almost always made of knitted fabrics and while nowadays you can find polos made out of any fabric (silk and linen, among them) jersey and piqué are traditionally the most popular. A knit fabric, which is widely used in T-shirts, was first made famous by Coco Chanel for outerwear.

Polyester polo shirts are best for frequent use. They are fade resistant, don't need ironing and are quick drying.

The ideal length of a polo shirt ends approximately at the level of the hips, while the length of the sleeves should end about 10 centimeters above the elbows. Under no circ*mstances should the polo shirt be excessively long. When in doubt, go a little shorter rather than too long.

What color pants for polos? ›

The Polo Shirt and Dress Pants

Neutrals are best for keeping with the overall impression of the look. Black pants with a light gray polo, gray pants with a white polo, or white pants with a navy polo are great combinations. You may even be able to put a blazer over the top without creating too much visual mismatch.

Ralph Lauren is a household name that is synonymous with luxury, style, and sophistication. From its iconic polo shirts to its high-end home decor, the brand has established itself as a leader in the fashion and design industry. But is Ralph Lauren truly a luxury brand? The answer is a resounding yes.

Polos work best when paired with nicer jeans, chinos, or khakis, so avoid wearing them with more casual pants like joggers or sweatpants. 4. Explore different knits and materials. Polos are often made out of cotton, which keep you warm, jersey for sports and greater breathability, or linen for a crisper, classier look.

Most other cotton polos are usually made of jersey (a smoother, single knit fabric), which is stretchier. But a piqué polo tends to be more durable, more absorbent of dye and better at concealing sweat.

Before the war George had been inspired by the US brand Life Savers (a mint with a hole designed to look like a life-saving rubber ring) and had decided to make something similar in the UK.

Polo shirts are a great alternative to buttoned shirts and suits. However, it's best to fold these formal outfits because they're made of thick fabric. Hanging stretches the shirt, which affects the shape.

Wear an undershirt.

A polo is meant to be worn as a base or single layer close to the body, and an undershirt adds excess bulkiness underneath it, and can peep out of the neckline/collar. If you do wear an undershirt, choose one with a neckline that won't be visible.

Shoulder to Shoulder: Measure this length from one shoulder to another. Chest: Place the tape close under the arms and make sure the tape is flat across the back. Waist: Measure across the waist area while having the Polo Shirt laying flat. Hem: Measure from one side to another.

Here's a good rule of thumb: you should be able to pinch 1-2" of excess fabric on either side of your torso. Any more than that, and the shirt is probably too baggy for your build.

For smart-casual vibes, dark jeans or chinos are a great option. Again depending on the occasion, you can wear your polo tucked in for a smarter look. If you are wearing it untucked, be sure the style of shirt is suited for that. Traditionally, polo shirts have a longer back so they can be tucked in comfortably.

Where should a polo shirt fall? ›

The bottom of your polo shirt should end around the midpoint of your pants zipper. If it's too long, your polo will start to bunch up. If it's too short, it won't look flattering, even on us shorter men.

The short answer is yes. Polo shirts are a great choice for skinny guys. Not only is the polo shirt a wardrobe staple and a must-have casual piece for the modern man, they are also versatile and look great on anyone with a skinny frame. That's if you get it to fit right in the first place.

We will cover more specifics, but as a general rule of thumb for formal environments, if it's extremely hot outside you can skip the undershirt, but otherwise wear it. Just make sure you don't show it. Showing an undershirt is akin to showing your underwear. It's not stylish at all.

If you do want to add a layer over a polo shirt, try a bomber jacket or Harrington jacket instead, they are better suited to the style of a polo shirt. A blazer can be worn over a polo but we recommend sticking to a polo that has a neat, structured collar and stays put underneath your jacket.

Don't wear an undershirt when wearing a Polo shirt

Never wear an undershirt when wearing a polo shirt because they do not mix well together. The undershirt could slide out or slip out from the sleeve and that is not going to look good on you.

Number 2: Mid-field guy—must be ready to back up Position 1, and be next in line for the ball if your teammate loses the ball. Must guard the opposing team's captain, typically the highest-rated player on their team.

There's nothing wrong with the tried-and-true combination of khakis and a polo shirt. It's as essential to the American summer as hot dogs and fireworks. But know that polo shirts can go just as well with suits and sport coats as they do with shorts and flip-flops.

The best thing to wear over a polo shirt is a bomber jacket, a Harrington or a blazer. A bomber jacket: A lightweight casual jacket that goes with almost anything. It's versatile, but brings that timeless style that you need. A bomber is an essential for every man, and layers perfectly with a button up polo.

Anatomy of a Polo. The Placket - The placket is the opening between the sides of the collar where the buttons are located. The placket is basically the same on most men's polo shirts. It usually has two to three buttons and can be worn buttoned or unbuttoned.

Mallet. Also known as a stick, this is the tool used to hit a polo ball. The shaft of the mallet is usually made of bamboo so it can give or bend when swung, although graphite and fiberglass are als used.

What is the pitch called in polo? ›

The grass field on which the match is played is known as the pitch - at each end are goal posts and the field is usually 300 yards long.

The 3 most popular fabrics for polo shirts are cotton, polyester and a mix of polyester and cotton. Cotton is a manufactured with natural fibres and is soft, comfortable and durable which contours nicely to the body.

Pique polo shirts with combed cotton tend to be heavier. Pima cotton is usually finer as it is a finer thread. Pima cotton tends to have fewer imperfections/impediments, so it is a finer softer thread than just combed cotton.

Most other cotton polos are usually made of jersey (a smoother, single knit fabric), which is stretchier. But a piqué polo tends to be more durable, more absorbent of dye and better at concealing sweat.

Most polos are knitted and there are two main types or structures: pique and jersey.

Piqué polo shirts might be a little heavier and less smooth than jersey, but they feel (and look) much more expensive due to their detailed and textured knit. Piqué shirts stand up to abuse much better than jersey, and will keep a neater, stiffer collar for longer periods of time.

Pima, Supima

The highest-quality cotton. Pima is the generic form of extra-long-fiber cotton grown in the United States, Australia, and South America. Supima is the trademarked name for 100% American-grown Pima cotton. Both resist pilling, fading, and stretching and get softer with wear.

Still wondering what is the difference between pima cotton and regular cotton? In addition to being softer than regular cotton, pima cotton is known to be more durable. It is resistant to common issues like fraying, tearing, and general wear and tear, while regular cotton tends to show signs of age sooner.

Egyptian cotton can handle wash temperature of up to 40 degree Celsius while Pima cotton can be washed to 60 degree Celsius. The Egyptian cotton touch is tremendously soft and smooth while Pima is just as soft boasting a high absorbency rate.

Pima cotton is the highest quality cotton available, thanks to those long, silky fibers. This means that pima cotton t-shirts, dress shirts, or polo shirts will not only be some of the most comfortable items in your closet, they'll be softer, stronger, and more colorfast too.

What is a Johnny collar polo? ›

A Johnny collar—free of buttons at the placket—updates the year-round staple. Wear it with everything from jeans to shorts—under blazers instead of a button-down or alone with a polished pair of slacks. Style Number: 542677.

Interlock is similar to jersey, but the front and back of the fabric are identical because it is "double-knit." It is also heavier and thicker than jersey.

#3: The Long Sleeve Polo - a classic pique polo with long sleeves and buttoning cuffs.