How to Style a Polo Shirt: Five Outfits from Weekend to Smart-Casual
A polo sits between a T-shirt and a shirt. Here is how to dress it up or down with trousers, shoes and layers — and when to tuck it in.
In short: a polo sits between a T-shirt and a shirt, so it dresses up or down with what you put around it. Change the trousers, the shoes and whether you tuck it in, and the same polo covers a weekend, a casual office and an evening out.
Start with the trousers
The trousers decide how smart the outfit reads.
- Chinos or tailored trousers make a polo smart-casual. In our own photographs the polo is worn with charcoal trousers and dark loafers, which is about as dressed-up as a polo usually gets.
- Dark jeans are the easy everyday choice. Plain, dark denim keeps the look tidy.
- Shorts work in warm weather. A tailored pair that ends above the knee tends to look neater with a collar than a baggy one.
Five outfits to copy
- Casual office: polo, chinos, leather loafers or plain leather trainers, and a belt.
- Weekend: polo, dark jeans and clean white trainers.
- Warm day: polo, tailored shorts and canvas shoes or sandals.
- Evening: polo tucked into tailored trousers, with a lightweight jacket over the top.
- Travel: polo, comfortable trousers and a light layer you can take off.
Tucked or untucked?
Both are fine; it depends on the length and the occasion.
- Untucked is the relaxed default. It works when the hem ends around the middle of your trouser fly — much longer and it starts to look like a nightshirt.
- Tucked looks sharper with tailored trousers and a belt, and is the usual choice under a jacket.
If you are unsure whether the length is right for you, our guide to how a polo should fit has a simple checklist.
Small details that make a difference
- Buttons: leaving the top button open is the relaxed standard. Fastening all of them is a deliberate, neater look.
- Collar: wear it down. A collar that lies flat looks tidier than one that curls.
- Layers: a plain jacket, overshirt or fine-knit jumper goes over a polo easily. Keep a T-shirt underneath out of sight.
- Colour: let the polo be the colour and keep the rest quiet — see choosing a polo colour.
Frequently asked questions
Can I wear a polo to the office?
In most workplaces with a casual or smart-casual dress code, yes — with chinos or tailored trousers and proper shoes. If your workplace expects a shirt and tie, a polo is not a substitute.
Can I wear a polo under a blazer?
Yes. Tuck it in, keep the collar inside the jacket lapels and choose a plain colour.
What shoes go with a polo?
Loafers, plain leather trainers and canvas shoes all work. Match them to the trousers: smarter trousers, smarter shoes.
Should a polo be ironed?
A smooth polo always looks better, but follow the care label on the garment — it tells you whether, and how hot, it can be ironed. Our guide to reading care labels explains the symbols.
Looking for a polo to build these outfits around? See the Mountain Explora logo polo in four colours.