The Polo Shirt: A Wardrobe Staple
The iconic polo shirt is such a versatile essential that every man needs in his wardrobe.
Known for it’s timeless style, this classic sleek piece quickly elevates any outfit. Whether you choose to dress it up or down…the polo shirt gives a touch of sophistication that quickly takes your warmer weather outfits to the next level.
Polo Shirt Fit Guide
Most of all…fit is KING — a well fitted polo will nicely compliment your body, highlighting all the right areas; like…those nicely defined muscles of yours ;)
Strike the right balance with the fit of the polo by avoiding extremes in tightness or looseness. You’ll want the sleeves to lightly hug your arms, and the body shouldn’t cling tightly to your torso. Aim for the right length by having it end between the bottom of your waistband and the bottom of your crotch to keep your proportions nice and balanced.
Remember to always go for well-constructed / high-quality polos. While fit is the biggest factor, other things like fabric and color are also very important—it could dictate whether you rock the polo shirt flawlessly or miss the mark entirely.
Heavy-Set Body type
If you fall into this category, go for piqué cotton polo shirt.
This is a more textured fabric that functions like an airbrushing tool, smoothing out problem areas around the chest and stomach areas.
Other fabrics will only accentuate the pectoral area or cling too tightly to the stomach, exaggerating it’s roundness. Choosing a piqué fabric eliminates any of these issues.
Slim to Average Body type
If you are in relatively good shape, add in a couple of cotton or cotton-silk blend polo shirts to your wardrobe. These shirts offer a bit of softness and a nice streamlined appearance. Note that these shirts might highlight any flaws if you’re not in good condition.
What to Avoid
For your first polo shirt, stay away from bold patterns as well as sleeve and collar piping. Choose a simple polo without any logos on it — or if you find it unavoidable, make sure they are as discreet as possible by matching the color of your shirt.
Must-Have Colors
Start off with a basic color palette like black, navy, white, and charcoal grey which you can wear all year-round.
These classic hues are wardrobe staples that will easily pair well with every other clothing item you own. Plus, they flatter all skin tones and body types. Once you have your core colors nailed down, you can then branch out with some lighter hues to infuse a bit of vibrancy into your wardrobe.
Non-Solid Colored Polo
After you’ve got all your solids — feel free to experiment with a striped pattern polo! This is considered a “neutral” in the world of patterns, which makes it the perfect option for all body types.
Key note: Make sure the stripes are no wider than one inch and avoid bold plaids or overly busy patterns like the plague—they look very unflattering and give off a tacky vibe.
Outfit Inspiration Boards
Use this valuable information for continued success so you can attract investment from others just as you invest in yourself.
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Brandi is a wardrobe consultant and stylist helping leading men feel more confident in their style. She provides carefully-curated style offerings, dedicated to relieving all your style struggles, so you stay looking and feeling your absolute best.
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