How To Dress Your Polo Shirts Up and Down
Alongside the new decade is an outbreak of new fashion trends for women’s clothing. It seems that the days of the skinny jean and crop top are waning; in their place are loose-fitting, boxy and oversized clothes that disguise your body and offer undeniable comfort. Yet, before you purge your entire closet, you should know that there is one style that is here to stay: polo shirts.
Though first sold in the 1930s, polos have been closet staples since the 1970s, when women embraced the androgynous look of the casual, collared shirt. In the ‘80s, polos became a bit tighter and a bit more preppy; in the ‘90s and ‘00s, polos regained their sporty reputation when paired with track pants. So, what will this next decade do for polo shirts? Read on to find out how to style your polos appropriately in 2020 and beyond.
Dressing Up
Polos tend to be semi-casual attire, but it is possible to stretch them into professional-wear if you know how to pair them with pants and accessories. Here are two outfit ideas to get you started:
A clean, sleek look with minimal fuss.
Minimalism as a fashion trend is passing away, but that doesn’t mean you should rid your closet of neutrals, which are easy to throw together for a professional look. A polo in any neutral tone paired with a complementary high-waist, wide-leg pant makes for an outfit that is simple and clean, without any flash or pomp. You can add some interest with a bold earring, statement necklace or even a noteworthy belt buckle, but you should try to keep your shoes simple — neutral flats or mules work well.
Monochrome with a pop.
Women’s suits come in all colors and patterns, and so do women’s polo shirts. if you have a matching suit set in a plain, boring tone, like black or khaki, you can tuck a brightly colored polo underneath for an outfit that reads professional but fun. You can experiment with different colors and patterns of polos as well as colors and shapes of suit to achieve different looks for different days.
Dressing Down
Then again, if you don’t need to look professional but you still want to look stylish, there are a few fascinating ways to play with your polos. Some of these outfits are more fashion-forward than others, but if you have a daring sense of style, you absolutely should try them out.
A classic polo look.
A polo shirt always goes with jeans, and it always will. You can mix and match essentially any style of polo with any pair of jeans to achieve a competent look. However, for go-to success, consider having a puffy jacket and mom jeans on hand to pair with a striped or brightly colored polo. This look is classic, comfortable and perfect for running errands or catching up with friends.
Flashy and flirty.
As mentioned above, women started wearing polos because they offered a genderless look — and even today, a typical polo shirt isn’t the pinnacle of sexual attire. You can change that by pairing a slightly tight-fitting polo with a sequined maxi or midi skirt. The length of the skirt parallels the semi-casualness of the top, but its eye-catching brightness makes the outfit feel playful and fun. This outfit might be great for a date night or an evening out with the girls.
A polo look from haute couture.
Do you have a party dress that is just a bit too outrageous? You should throw a polo on underneath it for a look straight off high-fashion runways. Tucking casual clothing amidst more-formal attire has become a popular design choice, perhaps commenting on the blurring of social lines. If you don’t mind catching stares from passersby or getting comments from curious friends, you can mix and match almost any dress with almost any polo, regardless of color, pattern, fabric or style.
In truth, the polo is such a quintessential component of every closet that you shouldn’t be afraid to try a polo with any type of good outfit. Like various elements of women’s fashion, the polo shirt needs to be shaken up every now and again to make it seem fresh and exciting. In 2020, you should resolve to wear your polos with pride — in new and daring ways, of course.