One of the best features of polo shirts is how versatile they are. They go well with different types of pants and shoes, and they fit in everywhere from the office to a weekend BBQ party. You can dress it up for a wedding or go super casual for an afternoon at the park. 

The problem is that many dudes end up looking boring and basic in polo shirts. So in this post, we share the best fashion tips for styling a polo shirt for different occasions.  

Choosing the Best Polo Shirt Colors

The first step is picking the right color for the occasion. To get the most out of your polo shirts, buy them in neutral colors like white, black, gray and navy. These colors go well with pants of different colors and they are suitable for most kinds of occasions.

Our very own HercShirt 3.0 Polo Edition is available in black, metal gray, navy blue and white. There’s also a midnight red option for those who want a more colorful look for a casual or semi-casual occasion. 

Other brighter colors like orange, yellow and pink are more suited to casual situations like a BBQ party, a day around town or a family event. 

Fashion tip: If you wear a brightly colored polos, match it with darker or neutral pants and shoes to create a nice visual balance. 

Choose The Type of Polo Shirt Fabric Wisely

Two polo shirts can be the same color and style, but have very different vibes based only on the type of fabric. 

Traditional polo shirts are made with a textured cotton fabric called pique. Pique polos have a classic, more formal look that’s suited for the golf course, the office or a wedding. 

Other polo shirts have a smooth jersey weave that is made from cotton or polyester (or a combination of both). Jersey polos have a tighter fit thanks to their slightly elastic nature. They are also less formal, so you can wear them in any casual occasion.  

Layer With a Jacket or Coat for a Unique Look

If you don't want to risk coming across as a boring middle aged dude, add a layer over your polo. It totally transforms your look.  

For formal occasions such as a work meeting, a wedding dinner or date night, layer a blazer or sport coat over the polo shirt. This combo creates a relaxed semi-formal look. 

For more casual occasions like a night out, a party or weekend hangout, a casual jacket (bomber, harrington, leather etc.) looks great over a polo shirt. 

Whatever you do, never wear a polo shirt with a suit jacket. A suit jacket is only meant to be worn with a suit. It looks weird and awkward when paired with anything casual like a polo shirt. 

How to Pair A Polo Shirt With Chinos, Khakis and Jeans

Onto the pants. Polos are versatile, so you can wear them with any kind of pants (and even shorts), including formal suit pants.  

Your choice of pants depends on the occasion. For the office or any formal or semi-formal occasion, suit pants and chinos are the best. This is the popular business casual look. 

Polos and jeans can also work for a semi-formal occasion. But consider tucking in the polo, wearing a belt and layering a sport coat or blazer on top. 

For a more casual style, jeans, khakis and shorts pair well with polos. 

Complete Your Outfit With the Right Shoes 

Finally, the shoes. Your choice of footwear depends on the occasion and the overall look you are looking to pull off. 

If you are going formal with a tucked-in polo, belt and chinos, dress shoes are the best for completing that look. Oxfords are also great for business casual and they go well with chinos and jeans. If you are wearing dress pants with your polo shirt, derby shoes are the best.  

For more casual styles, try loafers, boots, or boat shoes. 

Don’t Forget Accessories

The right accessories can make your polo outfit look even better. Just make sure to keep it simple and minimalist. A wrist watch is enough for most people. If you want a bit more glamor, you can add a bracelet or necklace. 

Final Thoughts

If you stay away from polos because you think they are boring, they don't have to be. It’s all in how you style it. So get a few polo shirts and try out different looks and see which one you like most.

Remember to pick the right size. An oversize or too-tight polo will look bad no matter what you wear it with.