Retro chic: The best knitted polos for men
From Don Draper’s preppy country club aesthetic to Ryan Gosling’s campy printed designs, knitted polos are your ticket to easy autumn style
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Menswear is especially fun right now. In fact, summer 2024’s trendiest pieces come straight out of a pop star’s wardrobe: think sequins, cropped shorts, plumber-esque jumpsuits and funky sunglasses. If your style leans more towards Harrison Ford than Harry Styles, however, autumn’s biggest menswear must-have is, thankfully, a little more everyday than the rest: the knitted polo.
Comfortable, practical and with just a touch of high-fashion edge, knitted polos are a great way to zhuzh up a smart-casual look. While these sweater-adjacent shirts take after their cotton pique counterparts – with a soft collar and short button placket – the woven upgrade makes them far more put-together than the preppy polos typically seen on tennis stars and country club regulars.
Relaxed yet luxe, knitted polos make for an elevated smart-casual option for just about any occasion. Don’t believe us? Consider the screen time they’ve been getting. Everyone from actors Chris Evans, Jacob Elordi and Dwayne Johnson to TV presenters and football managers (we all know Gareth Southgate’s M&S knitted polo shirt was the real star of the Euros) are getting in on the action.
Whether you prefer a pared-back quiet luxury aesthetic in subtle shades or graphic prints and bold patterns, there’s a knitted polo for you. Not sure where to start? Here’s our pick of the best knitted polos.
Percival Paros polo shirt
Percival’s knitted polos are a red carpet favourite – and for good reason. The Hackney-based brand’s modern staples are made with top quality materials and are injected with a distinctly playful edge. Case in point, the crochet-style Paros polo shirt knitted from 100 per cent cotton and rendered in a timeless monochrome stripe design. Wear with everything from jeans to tailored trousers.
Lardini fine-knit polo
In the timeless everyday category, Lardini is a clear winner. Woven in an ultra-lightweight knit from 100 per cent virgin wool, it’s the perfect piece to replace your usual button down for casual Fridays. Think of it as your one-stop shop for an enviable dose of Italian sprezzatura.
Mr P. polo shirt
Expertly cut for a casual yet polished fit from a beautifully textured cotton and silk-blend knit, Mr P.’s polo shirt is a smart option for most occasions. While the breathable design will work well with faded blue jeans and trainers for a casual day in the capital, the bright green colour palette will also pop with shorts and sandals for a chic holiday ‘fit.
Paul Smith knit polo
No longer merely the preserve of dads on sightseeing holidays, striped polos are back in the wardrobes of even the capital’s coolest trendsetters. Knitted from merino wool, go traditional and wear this Paul Smith polo shirt with jeans, or lean into the suburban dad vibe with high-waisted chinos and chunky New Balance trainers. Your call.
King & Tuckfield polo shirt
Creative director Stacey Wood draws inspiration from treasured family albums for King & Tuckfield’s collections – and the result is an aesthetic with a distinctly vintage feel to it. Take, for example, this dusty sage wool polo. The brown trims lend the design an on-trend ‘70s vibe perfect for elevating even the most low-key look.
Orlebar Brown Maranon polo shirt
Endorsed by 007, Orlebar Brown excels at more than just swim shorts. Proof: the Maranon polo shirt. Rendered in a vibrant mango hue, this textured waffle-knit polo is packed with retro charm and will look fantastic with high-waisted trousers or tailored shorts. Just make sure to match the shirt’s bright hue with colourful trainers.
Ché Coppola polo shirt
What’s hotter than a knitted polo? A buttonless polo. Ché’s Coppola intarsia-knit polo features tonal floral print and a loose open-collar made for balmy evenings. And while you don’t need to pair it with breezy linen shorts and a simple chain necklace, we highly recommend you do.
Read more: Why a camp collar shirt is the epitome of casual summer style
