It’s true. From Jude Law as Dickie in The Talented Mr. Ripley and the fellas in Goodfellas to real-life cool guys Idris Elba, Alexander Skarsgard, Michael B. Jordan, Jeff Goldblum, and Ryans Gosling and Reynolds, the knit polo is an underrated style stalwart. Representing the ultimate style hack, a knit polo pairs the comfort of a t-shirt with the casual elegance of a button-down. Far from the often itchy cotton pique iterations found on schoolchildren and preppy college students (and elevated by Ralph Lauren and his iconic horse logo), knit polos are accompanied by a louche, somewhat cultured vibe.
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In terms of versatility, the knit polo is miles ahead of its cotton pique counterpart. Made from easy-wearing fabrics like wool, cashmere, linen, and cotton, knit polos not only work well with the traditional polo shirt pairings of chinos and shorts, but can also be worn under a suit for an insouciant alternative to an Oxford shirt, tucked into pleated pants cinched with a thin belt, and placed atop slim-cut trousers and loafers for a distinctly European air. And as always, a trusty pair of jeans works too. The ideal antidote to dressing for transitional weather, knit polos provide an easy sartorial solution for a number of stylistic conundrums. Ease into the style with a ¼ zip iteration or go all out with a full button down knit polo. Whichever you choose, rest assured that your knit polo will be as easy to throw on as a t-shirt while boasting some serious style chops. Herewith, our favourite knit polo shirts for all occasions.
The best knit polo shirts for men in 2021
Mr P.
Cashmere & Silk-Blend Polo Shirt
Zara
Basic Knit Polo Shirt
Reiss
Blair Wool Press Snap Polo Shirt
Beams Plus
Argyle Cotton-Jacquard Polo Shirt
Barena
Slim-Fit Wool-Blend Polo Shirt
Reiss
Port Wool Cotton Blend Polo Shirt
Words by Theo Rosen
