Pop your collars! These are the ultimate polos for any spring-summer occasion
With warmer conditions (hopefully) on the approach, it’s time to start considering this menswear failsafe...
Words: Josh Lee
There is just something about the polo that makes it such a big-game player in a man’s wardrobe. Perhaps it’s because it possesses the capacity to hit the sweet spot between the formal and the casual – a collar gives it a more serious edge over a t-shirt, but the soft construction allows for a more relaxed feel than a poplin button up.
Since its introduction by tennis’s René Lacoste in the early 20th century, who used it as an alternative to the restrictive court dress code (starched shirts, pleated trousers), the design has hit the mainstream, being popularised by Brooks Brothers and Ralph Lauren, golfers in garish colours and prints, and it was cemented in the public imagination by the likes of Elvis and Clint Eastwood.
With warmer conditions on the approach, it’s time to start considering this failsafe spring-summer must-buy – and to find one that works for you, here are the best options to put on your list…
Love Brand and Co, White Pensacola Polo Shirt
Double-down on the polo’s versatility by reaching for one that’s not only designed in a dress-code-spanning colour, but is also made in a fairly unembellished style. Love Brand and Co, known for its contemporary resortwear, is a failsafe label – this design is made from pure organic cotton, making it both ventilating and lightweight, and is produced in a straight cut. The miniature elephant motifs on the front – a nod to the label’s commitment to wildlife conservation – is a subtle but playful touch.
Niccolò P., Côte d’Azur Blue Egyptian Cotton Polo Shirt
It is always a safe move to fall back on wear-anywhere shades, whether that’s navy, black, white or grey. However, if you do intend to trial some more vibrant colours, but don’t want to make too much of a statement for the wrong reasons, we direct you towards Niccolò P., whose option here is made from a breathable piqué knit, which offers an understated texture. The mother-of-pearl buttons provide a hit of finesse, meanwhile the set-on placket gives a structured feel; the main draw, however, is that its easy-breezy hue brings to mind the gentle waters of the French Riviera.
Niccolò P., Tuscan Sage Sea Island Cotton Polo Shirt
If, however, you’re jetting to more bucolic surrounds, say the hillsides of Slovenia or the forests of Sweden, this sage-green alternative offers a rural-appropriate colour scheme that complements a backdrop of shrubbery and fauna.
Aurélien, Light Blue Terry Towelling Polo Shirt
Evoking the feeling of being next to the waters of Ocho Rios, poolside in Miami, or on a lounger in Okinawa, a towelling polo is both absorbant and breathable, making it a suitcase essential when going to destinations with humid terrains. Aurélien’s, made from a butter-soft cotton-terry towelling fabric, works superbly well when paired with tailored trunks.
Ripa Ripa, Polo Vomero
If you feel like injecting a degree of retro into your wardrobe options, a polo with a slightly more relaxed silhouette not only provides an off-duty slant, but it also gives you a base from which to wear some 60s-style gear – think of an all-Americana tennis club outfit of straight-cut beige chinos and Ralph Lauren boat shoes. This Ripa Ripa piece, which is slightly oversized, is made from a linen that has a lustrous touch and fades beautifully with wear.
Peregrine, Ocean Long Sleeve Wool Polo
As you’re fully aware, the UK’s weather is never a sure thing, so wearing a resort-appropriate short-sleeve polo may not be the best look when trying to navigate your way through downpours, or when walking against heavy breezes. A longsleeve alternative, therefore, is a safer bet, as it’s a transitional piece that can work as a fine stand-in for a jumper or flannel shirt. Made from Merino wool, we have a particular liking for Peregrine’s offering, as it is suitable to wear either under a blazer or a harrington jacket.
Aurélien, Carribean Blue Cashwool Buttonless Polo
At GJ, we’ve long been admirers of Aurélien, due to its pared-down, Med-influenced wears. Here, we have a more leftfield creation: the collar, most notably, eschews the traditional use of buttons (or any details at all, really), leaving only a retro crossover-style V-neck in place. Cashwool, the material from which it’s made, comprises fine fibre sourced from selected Merino sheep bred in Australia, which simply dials up the luxe factor.
Want more style suggestions? Spruce up your spring wardrobe with our curation of 9 seasonal staples…
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