Item of the week: the knit polo

What it is:

While the knitted polo may seem like a more recent evolution of the
standard polo shirt, its roots actually lie in the 1950s, where the classic
shirt initially garnered traction. Also sometimes referred to as a ‘sweater
polo’, the shirt was first popularised by Italian designers and later
seeped into the wardrobes of the American upper class, giving it its preppy
status, with it now reappearing as a holiday must-have for the
fashion-forward folk. The piece is characterised by a button fastening,
unstructured collar and knitted construction, forming a look that is
typically smarter than a sports polo.

Why you’ll want it:

The knitted polo shirt offers a more comfortable, less restrictive take on
the classic style, yet is still at the height of fashion – and maybe even
more so. Its resurgence has been triggered by the ongoing trend for Ivy
League prep on the runways, a look that centres around the “old-money”
aesthetic of sleek sportswear and traditional wardrobe staples. The shirt
also feeds into the increased casualisation of businesswear, with its
return also likely fueled as an offset to the pandemic and its subsequent
work-from-home culture. For men, the garment is a suitable alternative to
its counterparts, offering a staple that can be worn all year round and for
an array of occasions.

Where we’ve seen it:

Knitted polos were a notable fixture of spring/summer 2024 runways,
appearing in collections that already held a retro-esque appeal. Givenchy’s
iteration of the design came in the form of a light-weight knit, with
enlarged pointelle detailing and buttons. Loewe, on the other hand, took on
the shirt with a modernised twist. The brand’s long-sleeved styles saw
sparkly elements intertwined into the material presenting a new take on the
design. In another contrast, Bluemarble looked deep into the past for its
own piece, drawing inspiration from retro graphic prints that leaned into
the shirt’s origins.

How to style it:

The knitted polo is a great standalone piece for those looking for a staple
item to add to their wardrobe. It works well by itself, paired with
tailored trousers to elevate the look, or with loose-fit jeans to further
emphasise the casualisation of the design. With the former, leather sandals
bring the item into the spring and summer, while the latter can be finished
off with similarly sleek sneakers to tie the outfit together. Leather – or
leather-looking accessories – further upgrade the overall look, in keeping
with the vintage feel of the knit polo itself.

The knitted polo is a formal, yet still casual iteration of the popular
polo shirt staple, whose popularity is set to remain consistent, as
evidenced by its place in SS24 collections.