For as much as spring and summer style is about embracing a sense of adventure and a return to casually rugged fashion (think short-sleeve henleys and pocket tees, for instance), there’s plenty to be said for embracing the chance to dress in more elevated fashion.

Don’t let that scare you off: The classic style staples you know and love — like one of the best men’s polos — are simply getting a bit of a refined, elegant update, especially in the hands of a menswear brand like Patrick James.

The California style purveyors have been refining wardrobes — and every piece of Patrick James menswear — with a unique West Coast sensibility since the early 1960s, so it’s fitting that the Patrick James knit polo you see above has very much come back into vogue.

This stylish knit polo offers a twist on the traditional three-button polo in a way that’s utterly classic and just different enough to add a breath of fresh air (and summer style) to your wardrobe, and this Patrick James review should (hopefully) convince you to switch up your warm-weather menswear rotation ever so slightly.

If you ask this Brooklyn style writer, that sense of elevated, at-times preppy, always classic style from Patrick James menswear certainly has a place in your wardrobe for occasions where the dress code calls for your best foot forward. And as of late, I’ve been embracing doings things a touch differently — reaching for something like the slightly preppy, very Mad Men-esque Patrick James Reserve Knit Polo, which features throwback detailing and high-quality construction in every stitch.

The Patrick James Reserve Knit Polo blends a crisp Navy color with light blue piping and a full-button front, not unlike a cardigan sweater, but updates the silhouette with a dashing, traditional fold-over collar.

The effect is pleasingly dressy and crisp without overdoing it — for occasions where a suit might prove too much (or too stuffy), consider an alternative like the Patrick James Reserve Knit Polo. I’ve even found that a size XL fits nicely on my frame, as you might have seen from this knit polo’s appearance on my Instagram Stories.

And while it’s a bit of a departure from the traditional two or three-button polo, this shirt is a stylish swerve from the norm — and it’s made all the better by high-quality design you can feel and see (this polo is ridiculously soft and moves with you easily, buttoned or unbuttoned. For your next elevated #OOTD, opt for a timeless-yet-on-trend piece like the Patrick James Reserve Knit Polo, my friends.