The Ultimate Guide to Men’s Polo Shirts: Summer Style Essentials
Last year, my wife gifted me a classic Lacoste polo shirt for my birthday—the timeless design with that iconic little green crocodile emblazoned on the chest. Living in Lisbon, where pleasant weather is abundant (though the same applies to UK summers), I regularly spot other men sporting similar polo shirts. It was then I realized these versatile garments could remain a wardrobe staple for life.
“Polo shirts are the cornerstone of a warm-weather wardrobe, a classic that stands next to the tee and the oxford in the Shirt Hall of Fame,” explains renowned style expert Chris Black from The Strategist. When questioned about whether polo shirts venture into “dork territory,” he reassuringly confirms that the Lacoste remains “the OG of polo shirts.”
Why Polo Shirts Excel in Summer Wardrobes
During summer months, I typically favor plain white t-shirts—the Cos triple pack has served as my trusted companion. However, relocating to Portugal several years ago necessitated expanding my hot-weather clothing collection. Constant sunscreen application wreaks havoc on white tees, and certain occasions demand something more refined than casual t-shirts. While dress shirts remain an option, they often feel heavy and cumbersome in intense heat.
This is precisely where polo shirts shine as the perfect middle ground.
Best Polo Shirt Brands and Where to Shop
Beyond established luxury brands like Lacoste and Ralph Lauren, numerous retailers offer quality polo shirts. Uniqlo provides dependable options, while Arket, H&M, and Muji stock reasonably priced alternatives. Marks & Spencer boasts an extensive polo shirt collection. For premium selections, consider brands like A Day’s March, CP Company, Universal Works, and Sunspel, all offering sophisticated polo ranges.
Overcoming Polo Shirt Stereotypes
Despite their practicality, polo shirts carry certain negative associations. They can evoke country club pretentiousness or recall the entitled characters from each season of The White Lotus—Jake Lacy, Theo James, Patrick Schwarzenegger—representing that cursed combination of preppy privilege and quiet luxury aesthetics.
In Lisbon, there’s a recognizable aspirational archetype called “Beto,” identifiable by names like Salvador, Afonso Maria, or Tomás, and their uniform of boat shoes, slim-fitting trousers, Vichy plaid shirts, puffer vests, and polo shirts. This European variant bridges Sloane Ranger and American preppy styles.
Similarly, growing up in 1990s Ireland, I witnessed comparable fashion trends associated with Dublin private school rugby culture—the “D4” postcode stereotype. While times have evolved, Sally Rooney’s recent novel Intermezzo still describes a character unfavorably as “wearing a polo shirt with an embroidered brand logo on the front, and a pair of plastic flip-flops.”
Brand Controversies and Cultural Associations
The Fred Perry brand, despite its fascinating connections to British pop culture, has periodically struggled with far-right appropriation. This represents a significant burden for any cotton shirt with a stitched logo. In 2020, the brand temporarily withdrew its signature black and yellow polo from North American markets after the far-right Proud Boys movement adopted it as their uniform.
Beyond potential fascist associations, polo shirts might also project law enforcement vibes. The indie film Reality, starring Sydney Sweeney as a US intelligence worker, features quietly menacing FBI agents in beige slacks and tucked-in polo shirts. Perhaps I’m self-deceptive—instead of appearing like a carefree European gentleman, I might simply resemble a plainclothes officer.
Choosing the Right Polo Shirt Fit and Style
One concern about wearing polo shirts involves the unflattering display of chest area—though this becomes an issue with any shirt type as men age. Fortunately, the piqué fabric commonly used in polo shirts, particularly by Lacoste, offers more forgiveness than other materials. This explains why it’s advisable to avoid knitted and soft-cotton variants.
As I progress through my forties, I appreciate the polo shirt’s in-between nature—it’s semi-casual rather than smart casual. On some individuals, it appears effortlessly cool; on others, completely ordinary. The beauty lies in not trying too hard.
Styling Tips for Polo Shirts
With two-button polo shirts, you can fasten both buttons for a more formal appearance or leave them open for relaxed styling. I avoid polos with V-necks or zippers, which feel too reminiscent of Kendall Roy’s corporate aesthetic. As summer evenings cool, polo shirts layer beautifully under sweaters and complement any outerwear—light canvas jackets, windbreakers, chore coats, or sports jackets, as demonstrated by Robert De Niro at recent Cannes photo calls.
Style Inspiration from Icons
Numerous style inspirations exist for polo shirt enthusiasts. Al Pacino delivers his memorable Any Given Sunday speech wearing an excellently rumpled jacket paired with a rumpled polo. My hypothetical mood board includes Jeremy Corbyn confidently sporting a crocodile logo, Paul Thomas Anderson on film sets, and the French new wave band Marie et Les Garçons, particularly their 1977–1979 compilation featuring Lacoste artwork. Don’t overlook Harrison Ford’s timeless polo and jacket combination—while not Lacoste branded, it represents peak aspirational dressing.
Netflix’s hit series Broadchurch provides another reference point. Before tensions escalate in episode four, Stephen Graham’s character Eddie Miller receives a Lacoste polo for his 50th birthday—a crisp blue design with the little green crocodile. While not the drama’s most crucial moment, it sparked recognition that polo shirts truly are garments for all men.
Embracing Polo Shirt Summer
Society rushes to identify and declare seasonal trends—hot girl summer, brat summer, tomato girl summer, barefoot boy summer. However, polo shirts remain impervious to fleeting fashion cycles. They’re simultaneously criticized and cherished, perhaps not beloved but certainly tolerated and accepted, sometimes with genuine fondness.
Rather than fighting this reality, let’s embrace it fully. Regardless of current trends or seasonal declarations, it’s perpetually polo shirt summer for the discerning gentleman who values comfort, versatility, and timeless style.