Since Rene Lacoste, the unruly tennis star who cut the sleeves off his button-down shirt in order to gain an advantage on the court, has become a popular item of menswear clothing. If we are thinking of the polo, we may think about the colour-blocked pique options from Lacoste and Ralph Lauren. They’re still very much rooted in their sportsy roots with a mesh finishing to wick the sweat away.
Recently, designers have re-evaluated the texture of polo shirt styles. Your dad probably wore an knitted shirt in 1970s and before that, his dad in 1950s. The 1990s were probably too busy bouncing around in cargo trousers to notice the jump between generations. Now it’s not thought of as a stuffy heirloom from a bygone era but rather as one of the easiest ways to bring timeless elegance to your outfit.
The knitted polo is hard to define – most modern polo shirts are made out of a cotton knit anyway but for the most part it will have loosely ribbed sleeves and hem, soft, three-buttoned plackets (or no buttons at all) that fly out wider than your ordinary polo shirt, a taper to the waist and a cut higher than a regular polo just above the waistband of your trousers. The fabric will cling a little to your upper body and have a markedly different feel – soft and cushy as opposed to the hard wearing pique.
The design might remind you of something your grandmother would create with her needles. Nana is the 2018 Menswear Designer of the Year. If it’s something you could imagine Alain Delon or Dickie Greenleaf in then you’re on the right tracks. That should be proof enough of its timeless appeal.
How To Style a Knitted Polo Shirt
“Knitted polo shirts are great for event dressing,” says Chris Hobbs, mens fashion editor at Matchesfashion.com. “I’m not really a full suit and tie kinda guy but if the occasion calls for a blazer then I’d most likely layer a knitted polo underneath.
“Dunhill’s contrast-placket versions have a 1960s vibe in two colourways that are very much in my palette, while Berluti’s have a tailored fit to them made from 100 per cent silk that they style on the runway with cropped trousers. If the summer continues way into September then I’d be quite happy tucking one of them into shorts for the office too.”
The knitted polo looks like Armie Hammer when tucked into chinos. Call Me by Your NameThe neutral beige color will make the shirt stand out. Some options have a deep V at the collar, and high-cut sleeves that flatter those with toned upper bodies (the Rock was seen wearing this style recently).
Wear it with tapered or plain trousers for a slimmer silhouette or wide, floaty legs to get that Hollywood 1950s chilling in the lot look. A suede jacket can be worn over top to add a touch of luxury as we enter the colder months.
The best brands for knitted polo shirts
Reiss
British Premium Retailer
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River Island
River Island, the high-street fashion giant, excels in providing a wide range of styles from streetwear to affordable tailored clothing. So while the textured knitted polo shirt isn’t its specialty it offers enough of the style for it to be worth a gander. You can start with the navy cable-knit option, which has a fabric and fit that is tight but stretchy.
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Dunhill
Dunhill began as a motor accessory company at the turn of the century (it was a pioneer in the field of driving goggles). Knitted polo-shirts in silk, with long contrast plackets and chunky buttons, are repackaged in this vintage tradition for today’s gentleman. They are more reminiscent of the 1970s.
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Ben Sherman
Founded in the 1960s, Ben Sherman along with Fred Perry became a symbol of the era’s teddy boy and mod styles. Like today’s Instagram influencers, both subcultures dressed to impress when out on the town, and the brand continues to create pieces that evoke the time’s smart informality. The knitted polo shirt taps into this trend with its bold jacquard pattern that stands out behind a neutral-coloured blazer.
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Wax London
Purportedly inspired by summers in Italy, you can practically smell the fresh pasta and wine when you look at Wax London’s modern take on the knitted polo shirt. Harkening back to the original classic 1950’s summer leisure polo, you’ll find this shirt will be a well-worn and adaptable piece for years to come.
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Percival
Percival, an independent premium menswear label, is a British brand that has been gaining popularity in recent years. Bill Nighy (a stylish Brit) and Martin Freeman (also british) are both fans. It’s textured weave or knitted polo shirt is thicker than other choices on this list making it a must-have in your transitional wardrobe with a unique, cycling-inspired design.
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Far Afield
Far Afield is based in Brighton, a seaside city. The garments are bright and sunny. Nestled in the knitwear section of its site, the knitted polo shirts are bold and breezy with contrasting vertical stripes along with a long-sleeved knitted polo shirt featuring a heavy cotton-crepe yarn that couldn’t be more ‘nouvelle vague’ if it had a half-smoked cigarette dangling from its pursed lips.
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King & Tuckfield
While most of the brands on this list are inspired by mid-century style – the 1950s resurgence doesn’t look like it will be abating anytime soon – King & Tuckfield really ran with the look from its very beginnings. Its textured knitted Polo Shirts are simple and elegant, with only a simple contrast collar trim. This allows the merino 100 percent wool to shine through.
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Cos
Coming in all silky smooth through the side door is minimalist Scandi brand Cos which takes the high fashion-for-the-masses-manifesto of its parent company H&M and add a sprinkle of more premium quality into the mix. You can choose from a selection of fine knitted polo-shirts in a blend of silk and cotton to fit into your wardrobe. If buttons aren’t needed, you might also consider an open collar knit shirt.
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Mango Man
It’s not as obvious as rivals Topman or Topman.
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Canali
Who knew Italians were capable of making clothes? Alright, sarcasm doesn’t translate well online but the quality design and craftsmanship that goes into a Canali knitted polo shirt is something we can all see plain and clear. It has a geometrical check design on the front that bridges between the style of the 1950s and those from the 1970s.
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Lacoste
We’re cheating a little bit with this one, but it would break our heart not to include the legendary French clothier. The pique-polo shirt is Lacoste’s modern classic. It no longer evokes the 1950s with its textured fabric, but it still offers a throwback Parisian look. It is based on the 1930s, the era in which its founder was born.
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Ralph Lauren
Again the iconic Ralph Lauren knitted polo shirt doesn’t quite fit into our idea of the knitted polo but Ralph would get mad if the croc was in and he wasn’t. Ralph Lauren does offer some polo shirts that fit into the era in question though, including long-sleeved jumpers that have the contrast tipping and wide opening placket you’d expect in a knit.
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Zara
Another fast fashion bastion
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Next
Alright, your mum might shop at Next, but that’s no reason to turn your nose up at the high street giant, so next time she pops in one of its stores make sure she nabs you one of its knitted polo shirts while she’s there. In 100 percent cotton and a textured melange effect, it has really nailed all the quality and 1950s design you’d want from the style.
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