The polo shirt is an indispensable item in any man’s daytime wardrobe. Depending on its design, it works in many outfits, from relaxed looks to office wear.

1. When did it all begin?

Surprisingly, the polo shirt was already worn in the second half of the 1800s by devotees of equestrian sport (horseback polo). Since then, this loose garment, originally made of cotton, has conquered the world. In 1933, the tennis player René Lacoste brought the collared knit shirt to market for the first time. This new kind of shirt was then monochrome (white) and was worn with the collar turned up. Around the 1950s, the polo shirt also gave rise to a shirt version of its own. In the 1960s, it became popular streetwear thanks to the slogans printed on it. Since the 1990s, the brands that have held the top positions worldwide in the polo shirt trade are Lacoste, Ralph Lauren and U.S. Polo Assn. For a more exclusive public, there are Giorgio Armani, John Smedley and James Perse. So what are the 3 main ways to work a polo shirt into an outfit?

2. Polo shirt and trousers: how are the common mistakes avoided?

It is the most common combination in warm weather. Perhaps that is why so many men get it wrong. The simpler a combination looks, the more secrets it hides. Tip no. 1: a polo shirt with shorts belongs on the beach and nowhere else. Secret no. 2: the best options are pre-washed jeans, chinos and relaxed-cut tailored trousers. Suggestion no. 3: a tucked-in polo shirt is best worn without a belt. Idea no. 4: tempting as it is, the collar stays down. Plea no. 5: polo shirts that are too tight, carry enormous logos or come in garish colours (candy pink, electric blue or neon green) are best left on the shelf.

3. Polo shirt and sport jacket: how can a flamboyant look be tamed?

A smart or overly flamboyant sport jacket that rarely leaves the wardrobe for lack of courage needs only a polo shirt underneath. It always turns a loud outfit into an everyday one. Add a favourite pair of jeans with brown suede loafers or white sneakers, and the outfit is ready. For a casual look, the polo shirt is more stylish untucked. Depending on the occasion, however, it can also be tucked in. A pocket square, or perhaps a discreet pin in the lapel buttonhole, should not be forgotten.

4. Polo shirt with heavy outerwear: why is it the most chic?

Because too few men think to put together two garments with such different functions. A winter jacket, a double-breasted overcoat, a topcoat or a trench coat are excellent ways to stand out. And when the destination is warm and the coat must come off, the mix guarantees a refined look with no risk of overheating.

In sum, the polo shirt has earned a lasting reputation and will not be dethroned from the gallery of truly versatile pieces any time soon. It can be worn in warm weather and cold alike. The art lies not in when to wear it, but in what to pair it with so that it flatters the wearer. Its full potential is there to be discovered.