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Just Polos by AWDis’ product manager, Sharon Crossan, discusses every element of the polo shirt, and provides a guide to layering this classic garment from season to season.
The polo shirt is a timeless, adaptable garment for every wardrobe. This unique shirt presents endless style possibilities combinations to take advantage of; a high quality polo shirt is designed with a modern, comfortable fit and complete with lasting durability.
Fabric
It’s important to know the fabric of your polo shirt before you begin to layer it up; this is not only for comfort, but for the right look too.
Tri-blend fabric boasts the resilience of polyester, but the comfort of cotton. This ultra-soft fabric is made from the same kind of fabric used in T shirts, and has the same flat, smooth, soft, stretchy feel. The sleeves of a tri-blend polo are normally a simple hem, rather than a distinct band.
Tri-blend fabric tends to feel lighter due to the knit; it can be worn casually through the day, and then smartened up with a jacket and jeans for an evening occasion.
The next popular fabric for a polo shirt is cotton. Choose a cotton polo shirt with a small percentage of elastane, and you’ll experience super softness that never loses its shape. These types of polo shirts are perfect for winter.
The original polo fabric is a knitted fabric, resulting in the pattern lending the material a textured surface. The sleeves typically terminate in a ribbed band/cuff. With a little more substance and structure, the piqué polo is a bit more formal and professional.
Cotton blended fabrics are also an option; slub yarn can be used for example to create a melange effect on the fabric, and a striking finish. These polos are similar to the cotton feel with cool, comfortable and breathable properties.
Cotton polo shirts are the perfect partner for jackets; both dinner jackets and outdoor wear. They can be worn on all occasions from casual to formal events, or sports, layered with a sweatshirt over the top.
Fit and style
When it comes to wearing a polo shirt with style, the most important thing, as it is with all garments, is to layer your polo depending on the fit.
The first thing to check is the length of the polo shirt – the bottom hem should comfortably fit on the top of your trouser fly, and sit just along the top back pocket. Your polo shirt should also be long enough that it can be tucked in. This is the basis to start layering up. A big trend as of late is to give the polo shirt a completely different feel by tucking it in; layer the polo with a denim skirt for a casual, off duty look, or into chinos for more formal wear.
The buttons on your polo shirt is also important, either a two or three button placket, in suiting different layered styling. Button to the top and tuck your polo in for a smarter look – finish by layering this with a sweatshirt and let the collar sit out. Leave one button undone at the top for an everyday look, and team with a bomber jacket for an on trend look. As a rule, always button at least one button.
Overall, the polo shirt should be fitted in the right places, but not too loose or too tight; this way, layering with an array of garments should be easy. As a guide on your arms, they should always sit around halfway down your bicep, and allow you full movement.
Finally, think of colours when you are layering! Team your bright polo with chinos for summer walks, white and black polos for more formal occasions, and strong primary colours for big winter wear jackets.
