Men’s Knitted Polo Shirts

A knitted polo shirt is exactly what it sounds like: a polo made from knitwear rather than flat woven cloth. Historically rooted in British menswear, it rose through sport, leisure and post-war style before becoming a modern staple. Softer than a standard polo, sharper than a tee. The knit structure gives stretch, drape and texture, which is why our knit polo shirts sit so well on the body. Percival has specialised in knitted polos for over half a decade, refining fits, yarns and finishes. The result: knitted polos worn by the likes of Ryan Reynolds, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Chris Evans. Not bad company.

Treat it like a chameleon with better taste. What you pair it with decides everything, one wrong move and you’re in Green Street territory, get it right and it’s Neil Tennant on a good day. Open collar knit polo shirt styles come into their own with tailoring, especially when a shirt and tie feel like overkill, but a tee won’t cut it. Keep a couple of buttons undone with your knit polo. Casino Royale Bond set the standard, and that still holds. Go sharper with pleated trousers and a belt, or pull it back with denim and a clean tuck.

Yes, especially when the fabric’s doing its job. Lightweight cotton and wool blends keep things breathable, giving you that thinner, easy feel without losing any substance. It sits comfortably in warm weather, but still has enough about it when the temperature dips and you’re not about to carry a jacket like a spare tyre. It earns its keep in pub gardens, on holiday, at dinners that turn into late ones, and even the odd summer wedding. Knitted polos work year-round, but summer’s when they actually get noticed. No point hiding your best player on the bench.

Yes, unless your boss is still emotionally tied to a tie. A knitted polo shirt is made for those middle-ground offices that pretend not to exist. Smart enough to pass the glance test, relaxed enough to survive a full day without feeling trussed up. Ideal in summer when shirts start to feel like punishment, and you’ve already clocked Thursday drinks before lunch.

Keep colours easy if your office leans traditional, navy, cream, the usual suspects. Stripes can hold their own, provided the trousers are clean, and the shoes aren’t an afterthought. It’s business casual without the boredom, which is the whole point of a men’s knitted polo shirt.

Care matters too. Keep your knitted polos looking right with our knitwear washing guide.