How to Style a Men’s Knitted Shirt
What is a knit polo shirt?
Ah, the 87th most googled question of 2024 so far (after ‘Why is my goldfish turning black’).
A knit polo shirt looks like a polo shirt, sounds like a polo shirt, moves like a polo shirt – but is made from a knitted fabric – so it’s warm, yet still breathable. Giving you the cosiness of a warm log fire, whilst keeping you cool in summer. And without the toxic fumes.
ARE KNIT POLOS IN STYLE?
Yes and no. If you are a human being, then yes.
If you are a small toad, then no.
Are knit shirts good for summer?
Like proclaiming a ‘Near Miss!’ or ‘Celebrity News!’ – ‘Summer Knits’ may seem something of an oxymoron. In fact, they are the exact opposite. The knit is breathable, the sleeves are short, they look great with a pair of linen shorts and espadrilles.
You could say they are ‘Awfully Good’ for summer. Snarf.
Is knit cool in the summer?
Cool as in ‘are my nips showing’? Yes.
Cool as in whatever word Gen Z are using for it at the moment? Also, yes.
Product: Pullover Polo Shirt, Crew Neck Boucle Wool
How should a knit polo shirt fit?
Unless you want to be commemorated in bronze outside an All Bar One (old reference it stays ok?) your knitted polo shirt should be ever so slightly loose. But definitely not baggy. Never baggy.
In fact, there is an ancient rule that says you should be able to pinch 1-2 inches of fabric on either side of your torso. It was found written in a GeoCache in Hackney Fields.
Just never baggy.
Should you size up or down for polo shirts?
Neither. Don’t be silly. Just pick your normal size. And unless you want to look like you’re here to fix the boiler, never ever size up.
Product: Pullover Polo Shirt
What do you wear with a knitted polo shirt?
The question should be what do you NOT wear with a knitted polo shirt. And the answer is another knitted polo shirt.
You can wear it with linen shorts, linen trousers, a linen suits, a moleskine notebook, a jaunty telescope, water wings, a pipe, and a small, talking vole.
We have just been informed that you may also wear it in all of the above, but in other fabrics too (we’re just really pushing our linens at the moment.)
TO THE BEACH
As the late, great Nicki Minaj once wrote, ‘Let’s go to the beach, beach, let’s go to the beach.’
Forget the soggy, knitted speedos of the 1800s, knits can work perfectly on the beach – in the form of a polo shirt, teamed with some casual linen shorts and a pair of boat shoes .
Think The Talented Mr Ripley or the tall one from The Durrells, tilting down your shades to look disapprovingly at the pale waterbeast standing before you.
FOR DATE NIGHT
It’s 1992, Cilla is waiting behind the wall. It slides back, the crowd cheers. Thank god you didn’t pick the ‘funny one’.
It’s 2005. Tinder is something that you lay on an open fire. And you’ve got a reply on Guardian Soumates!
It’s 2024, you swipe left. And well, you know the rest.
Wherever or whenever your date is, a knitted shirt gives you that timeless, classic, yet always-on trend look. It’s the unicorn of shirts.
Pair with linen or seersucker trousers, a linen blazer and loafers and you can guarantee at least an 8/10, ‘Would probably see each other again.’
Now tell them where they’re gonna go, our Graham!
TO A SUMMER WEDDING
Females have it easy don’t they. Midi dresses, maxi dresses, jumpsuits, normal suits, dungarees, antlers – they can wear whatever they want to a wedding. AND they can vote.
If you want to try something different and you’re not quite Harry Styles yet, then knitted shirts are your friend. Wear under a cool linen suit and enjoy your Mint Julep as everyone else slowly steams themselves to perfection.
CITY WEAR
Feeling Hot in the City? Getting Hot in Heeerrre? Other songs that imply feeling hot in urban areas?
If you want to look like a city slicker but without the slick. And by slick I mean slick of sweat. And by sweat I mean sweat. Then a polo knit shirt is your friend. It’s cool in both senses of the word and looks great with some cotton twill trousers, a classic overshirt and a pair of Converse. That’s right, we mentioned another brand. We’re that confident.