Although the polo shirt is ubiquitous in men's wardrobe, it is not the kind of garment that generates a lot of love and enthusiasm. Perhaps this is due to the negative associations associated with the polo shirt. It is often seen as a uniform, a must-have for a pizzeria waiter or elementary school student. However, polo deserves a little more love. Today we're going to take a look at how to get them out of the box and start wearing polo shirts in style.
A brief history of the polo shirt
In terms of casual wear, a cool polo shirt is as light and comfortable as a T-shirt. But it looks a notch higher, so swapping a T-shirt for a polo shirt is an easy way to update your summer style. There are different types of polos depending on the situation and the event where they are worn, and polos are worn and styled in different ways. In other words, contrary to popular belief, the polo shirt is quite versatile and can have an interesting origin story. Truly, the polo shirt is a brand!
Despite the name by which it is now known, the polo shirt did not emerge from “the sport of kings,” but from the game of tennis. In the early days, tennis had an aristocratic flavor and was played in suits consisting of flannel trousers, a classic shirt (with sleeves rolled up) and even a tie. Thick, heavy, hot and bulky – these clothes were clearly not suitable for outdoor activities.
Rene Lacoste French tennis style icon
Seven-time Grand Slam winner Rene Lacoste decided to do something about this by creating his own tennis shirt. Lacoste made his shirt debut at the 1926 United States Open, which he won in comfort and style. The following year, Lacoste, nicknamed the 'Crocodile', glued the now famous reptile logo to his shirt chest. And in 1933, the retired player began making clothing for the masses.
The popularity of polo increased dramatically when President Eisenhower began wearing it. Since then, golf courses have started changing dress codes to allow polo to be worn on the course.
The 'tennis shirt' has gained popularity with other athletes, especially polo players. These athletes have developed their own 'polo shirt'. The buttons on the collar were designed so that she would not slap her face while riding in the field. But Lacoste's short-sleeved clothing proved to be even more playful. And it was so widely accepted that even tennis players began to call it a 'polo shirt'.
The emergence of competitors Lacoste and Lauren
In the 1950s, Lacoste began offering the shirt, previously only available in white, in a wide range of colors and brought polo to America. He soon gained recognition among the discerning athlete, especially golfers. And then he moved into the field of casual wear. In the 50s, a competitor to Lacoste appeared; tennis champion Fred Perry unveiled a polo shirt that featured his future iconic laurel wreath logo. In English fashion, it was adopted as a scooter polo.
An even stronger competitor to Lacoste polo shirts emerged in the 1970s. Designer Ralph Lauren has named the casual line WASP Polo. Polo shirts were the centerpiece of this collection. As Lacoste and Lauren battled for dominance, polo gained popularity and became associated with the preppy looks of the 1980s.
1975 Ralph Lauren Polo
The polo shirt began to lose popularity in the 1990s as it became an addition to Friday get-togethers and corporations made it the uniform for workers from customer service representatives to waiters.
Nonetheless, polo has remained sturdy and continues to be worn by everyone from US presidents on the golf course to rap tycoons on stage. It should remain a staple in your everyday wardrobe if you wear it in style.
Polo shirt without buttons
Unless you're in an indie tribute band, your polo shirt collar should be unbuttoned by default. An open collar polo shirt is not a style, it is a fashion talking about a design without buttons on the collar. The beauty of this simple modification is that subtracting the buttons doesn't make you a kid in a T-shirt.
Pair an open collar polo shirt with cotton pants and moccasins. And you look like a representative of social life and an adherent of moderation in style. Swap out your pants for jeans, and it creates a subtle hint of clubwear for men.
Here's how simple and stylish a standard polo shirt without buttons can look
To keep things fit well, look for open collar designs with a fit on the sides. The collar will sag if there is too much fabric in the polo shirt.
Combining a polo with a suit
In the age of leisure sports, the popularity of the poor old suit has suffered a bit. But the polo shirt is just what it takes to create a new look. Taken separately, the suit and polo shirt are pretty standard pieces of a men's wardrobe. But together they are a classic example of how using existing things in an ingenious way will pay off.
Finding these benefits is easy. Starting with a navy, gray, or black suit or blazer, wear a polo shirt instead of a shirt and tie. It's hard to go wrong in color too, as a tonal polo shirt that mimics the shade of your suit will work just as easily as a contrasting design.
Oddly enough, but a polo with a suit looks no less solid than a classic shirt
Try pairing a pair of cream pants, a charcoal blazer, and a khaki green polo shirt. Then wear brown loafers for a chic yet stylish summer look.
Striped polo shirts
Daring polo shirts offer mixed styles, but get it right and the outfit won't go unnoticed. Fortunately, the recipe is clear here: vertical stripes are a solid choice in shirt design. Distinctive striped polo shirts are something that piques interest. And they can be paired with chinos, jeans, trainers and loafers effortlessly.
Striped polo shirts are clearly not for those who wish not to draw attention to themselves
Those who are afraid to look like a TV presenter for children should choose a maximum of two polo colors. Whereas for more daring styles, try the tricolor stripe. And to make sure you're not an optical illusion, slip on unassuming lightweight jeans and white sneakers.
Beyond the pale colors
In the summer, almost everyone gets a little extra glow from the body due to tanning. As a result, this is the perfect opportunity to make polo matching easier. Start with a gray, white, or stone polo shirt. To avoid grounding the look with dark trousers, try stone, cream, or white chinos. Put on some elegant leather sneakers on your feet.
Pale colors aren't always out of place
Generally, the darker the complexion, the lighter the tone of the clothing you can wear. So keep this in mind when choosing a polo. If your skin is pale and you want to wear a white polo with lighter shades, a pair of sandy chinos will add contrast to your outfit.
Polo shirt and trousers with arrows
Despite the fact that vacationers and boys at bachelor parties use and abuse the polo shirt, it has been a classic in men's clothing for many generations. You can easily spice up this mid-century appeal by using a pair of pleated pants.
Wearing a polo shirt with pleated trousers nods to the greatest masters of menswear such as Cary Grant and Fred Astaire. Polo shirts tucked into pleated trousers rob her of her reputation for being a walking and lazy man.
It is better to be neat with pleated pants, otherwise you will begin to give way to your seat on public transport
This polo shirt style move requires care so that you don't look like your grandfather. Make sure to choose pleated pants that look sophisticated. A polo shirt should have an interesting design (embossed, smooth or printed). And put on sneakers instead of classic shoes.
Polo Shirts with Tied Collar and Cuffs
Despite being a simple concept, the strapping of the collar and cuffs of a polo shirt has a huge impact on the wardrobe. The shirt will look casual at the same time and will allow you to stand out in a sea of monochromatic suits.
You can look stylish both at the office and on vacation, the main thing is not to go too far and look at things adequately
Moreover, polo shirts of this style are equally easy to combine with both shorts and jeans. And you can wear them tucked in or not tucked in as you see fit.
Finally
A polo shirt is one of the most versatile shirts a man can have in his closet. This is the perfect summer outfit that every gentleman should have in his wardrobe. From sportswear to casual or formal wear for events. Polo shirts can be paired with many wardrobe items. As you can see from the article, a polo shirt is perfect for an elegant gentleman. It is common on golf courses, tennis courts, beaches, and around town for leisurely shopping and al fresco dining at the bistro.
