Polo shirt style guide - what to look out for when wearing it
EmbroideryManufactory the blog
Poloshirt Styleguide - Inhaltsverzeichnis
- The history of the polo shirt
- The right fabric
- The right fit
- The right combination
- Which polo for which occasion?
- The Polo Shirt No-Gos
- Cap with polo shirt?
- Polo shirt: Wash and care
- The conclusion
The crocodile sets a new fashion trend
India, early 20th century: The precursor of the polo shirt were hip-length models made of striped, light cotton fabric - developed for aristocrats and for polo sports in subtropical climates. The French tennis player René Lacoste attracted worldwide attention. Nicknamed "The Crocodile", the successful sportsman created the forerunner of today's polo shirts in 1933. As an alternative to the usual long-sleeved white shirts in tennis, these models were initially intended for personal use only. However, the small crocodile logo on the chest increasingly attracted attention - the cult label Lacoste was born. As early as 1939, Lacoste produced up to 300,000 polo shirts a year.
So kombinierst Du mit dem Poloshirt Styleguide ein rundum gelungenes Outfit
You can easily combine polo shirts with all kinds of trousers. Jeans, light chinos and shorts are good for a casual look. As always, the general guidelines for a stylish design apply here. No mix of patterns for shirts and trousers, no bright colours for trousers and outerwear. You are always on the safe side with a plain-coloured polo shirt. Classic colours like black or white can be combined in many ways.
The right fit
Even if the polo shirt is cut rather casually, you should always make sure it fits properly. Oversized polo shirts look still, unless you're a rapper. The right length should always be chosen so that the shirt ends at hip level. For the sleeves, about 10 cm above the elbow is the right size. And always make sure that the sleeves are not cut too wide. Wide sleeves make your arms look thin and make you look like a clown. In addition, polo shirts should hug the body slightly - not too wide, but also not too tight is the right fit. The fabric should fall smoothly, wrinkles do not suit the polo shirt.
What occasion does the polo shirt suit?
Developed for the sports sector, polo shirts are ideal companions for leisure time. Depending on the industry and dress code, the comfortable shirt is also suitable for the office or for client meetings. Here, well-fitting shirts in muted or classic colours score points. There are also guidelines when it comes to sportswear. The polo shirt is suitable for tennis or golf, but is rather out of place at football. And last but not least: this look is too casual for particularly festive occasions such as a wedding.
Der Poloshirt Styleguide – den richtigen Stoff wählen
Richtig getragen und kombiniert zählt das Poloshirt zu den Klassikern des Casual Style. In diesem Poloshirt Styleguide wollen wir auch ein Auge auf die verwendeten Materialien richten. Von natürlich bis synthetisch – die Polohemden gibt es in einer Vielzahl von Stoffen. Reine Seide oder Seidenmischungen wirken auf den ersten Blick edel, eignen sich aber nicht für die heiße Jahreszeit. Bei diesen Modellen zeigen sich schnell unerwünschte Schweißflecken – besonders ungünstig für den Alltag im Büro.
Polyester and cotton-polyester blends have the advantage of robustness and thus score points with a longer service life. Unfortunately, this is at the expense of wearing comfort. The breathability of the fabric is limited, you sweat more easily and unwanted odours arise. The best choice is still the 100% cotton polo shirt. Cotton is pleasantly soft, cool and breathable. The classic piqué is well suited here. The structured surface ensures air circulation on the skin and looks visually advantageous. Models made of jersey also offer advantages when worn: less breathable than cotton, but with a smooth look that looks casual.
What are typical no-go's when wearing?
Tie with apolo
Even though a polo shirt can be worn to meetings and the office, there is one mistake you should never make - wearing a tie. A tie doesn't go with the look, the classic tie belongs with the shirt.
Even though a polo shirt can be worn to meetings and the office, there is one mistake you should never make - wearing a tie. A tie doesn't go with the look, the classic tie belongs with the shirt.
This prevents unnecessary premature fading. If more stubborn stains, such as red wine, have appeared: It's better to dry-clean than to wash too hot! And another little tip for an optimally standing collar: Simply spray on some spray starch. After washing, smooth out the polo shirt a little and hang it up smoothly. This works very well on a wooden hanger. Polo shirts are easy to care for. Washed and hung correctly, you can often even save ironing thanks to the uncomplicated fabric.
Layering
Polo shirts were designed for the single-layer look. That's why the vest should stay at home. In general, layering, the multi-layer fashion style, is not for polo shirts. Layers of clothing under the shirt look slightly bulging and worsen the silhouette of the upper body. This also applies to hanging out a T-shirt underneath the polo shirt. And if it gets cooler: It's better to wear a matching jacket or jacket over it than a pullover.
Polo shirts were designed for the single-layer look. That's why the vest should stay at home. In general, layering, the multi-layer fashion style, is not for polo shirts. Layers of clothing under the shirt look slightly bulging and worsen the silhouette of the upper body. This also applies to hanging out a T-shirt underneath the polo shirt. And if it gets cooler: It's better to wear a matching jacket or jacket over it than a pullover.
Polo in trousers
Trousers with belt or without belt? A belt goes with almost any look. When wearing a polo shirt, it should not tempt you to tuck the shirt into your trousers. Polo shirts are invariably worn over trousers. If you choose the right fit, this should not be a problem visually.
Trousers with belt or without belt? A belt goes with almost any look. When wearing a polo shirt, it should not tempt you to tuck the shirt into your trousers. Polo shirts are invariably worn over trousers. If you choose the right fit, this should not be a problem visually.
Close the button placket completely
The button placket is one of the classic features of a polo shirt. How do you wear the button placket in style? It all depends on the wearer and his or her taste. Leaving it completely open only suits a polo shirt if the button placket fits properly. If it's too washed out and loose, the look will quickly look sloppy. A good choice is always to leave the top button open. Under no circumstances should the button placket be closed completely. This looks much too strict and does not match the more casual style of the polo shirt.
The button placket is one of the classic features of a polo shirt. How do you wear the button placket in style? It all depends on the wearer and his or her taste. Leaving it completely open only suits a polo shirt if the button placket fits properly. If it's too washed out and loose, the look will quickly look sloppy. A good choice is always to leave the top button open. Under no circumstances should the button placket be closed completely. This looks much too strict and does not match the more casual style of the polo shirt.
Raise the collar
Raise or lower thecollar? This is the classic question when it comes to polo shirt style. And there is only one answer: collar down! The raised version is synonymous with the upper-class look and swaggering style of youthful wannabes with slicked-back hair.
Raise or lower thecollar? This is the classic question when it comes to polo shirt style. And there is only one answer: collar down! The raised version is synonymous with the upper-class look and swaggering style of youthful wannabes with slicked-back hair.
Wearing a cap with a polo shirt?
Acap can skilfully liven up simple outfits in a fashionable way. Worn with sporty outfits, the cap also goes well with polo shirts. But here, too, the guidelines for successful design apply. Don't mix patterns wildly and always choose one that suits the occasion. For leisure wear, the cap complements the sporty look of the polo shirt; official occasions or professional obligations are not suitable for the combination of cap and polo shirt. Otherwise: Only wear a cap with a polo shirt if it suits your type.
Acap can skilfully liven up simple outfits in a fashionable way. Worn with sporty outfits, the cap also goes well with polo shirts. But here, too, the guidelines for successful design apply. Don't mix patterns wildly and always choose one that suits the occasion. For leisure wear, the cap complements the sporty look of the polo shirt; official occasions or professional obligations are not suitable for the combination of cap and polo shirt. Otherwise: Only wear a cap with a polo shirt if it suits your type.
Care tips for polo shirts
To enjoy your sporty outfit for as long as possible, you should follow a few tips for the correct care of your polo shirt. This is particularly important because the fit should be maintained for as long as possible. And the collar in particular must fit well and not be baggy or frayed. A rule of thumb for good care is to choose the right temperature. Washing at too hot a temperature will cause unwanted shrinkage of your favourite piece. Depending on the material or material mix, you should always follow the manufacturer's instructions on the textile label. Coloured models should be washed with a colour detergent.
The conclusion: Inexpensive, comfortable and (almost) always wearable
The polo shirt is one of the classics in fashion. Thanks to ever-changing colour combinations and patterns, this model has lost none of its topicality. Inexpensive and particularly comfortable to wear, polo shirts have long been a stylish alternative to the simple T-shirt for many fashion-conscious wearers. As a chic combination of shirt and shirt, an indispensable basic in many wardrobes.