The Polo Shirt Guide for Men (2026)
The polo shirt guide: the four polos worth owning and how each one wears.
Last updated: August 2026
The polo is menswear's most efficient shirt, collared enough for the office, casual enough for the weekend, and in knit form it carries straight into fall under a blazer or cardigan. Four styles cover every use: the smart solid, the business polo, the knit polo, and the zip collar.
In this article
How a polo should fit
Sleeves end mid-bicep and hug slightly, the hem sits at mid-fly so it works untucked, and the shoulder seam meets the shoulder's edge. The collar should stand on its own without curling, which is why knit polos, with their structured collars, read dressier than pique. Buttons: top one open always, both open only off-duty.
The four polos
The clean solid that anchors the rotation, under $30.
Structured collar that holds under a blazer.
The retro texture piece, fall's dressier polo.
Zip collar structure, the polo that previews fall's zip-knit look.
Frequently asked questions
Is a polo business casual?
Yes, a structured solid or knit polo with chinos and leather shoes sits comfortably in business casual.
Should a polo be tucked?
Untucked with a mid-fly hem for casual wear; tuck only with tailored trousers and a belt.
Knit polo vs pique polo?
Knit drapes and dresses up, pique breathes and plays sport, own one of each.
Can you wear polos in fall?
Knit and long-sleeve polos layer under cardigans and blazers all season.
What do you wear over a polo?
A cardigan, blazer or bomber, the collar sits cleanly under all three; see the cardigan guide.
More collars: business casual shirts and the fall office capsule.
Four collars, every occasion
The full polo lineup from $29.98.
Shop polos →Free shipping on orders over $99.