If you’ve been feeling a little over this whole “summer” thing — sick of the heat and such — I’m here to tell you that there’s style salvation in the form of the best polos for men to buy now. Yes, I’m talking to you. More laidback than your favorite dress shirt, easier to wear in the heat than a long-sleeve chambray shirt and more crisp than a plain T-shirt, the polo is the perfect summer go-between in terms of #menswear moves. You can certainly get away with wearing a well-fitting polo to the office to beat the heat in style (I’m partial to an option like the Criquet Shirts Slim-Fit Player’s Shirt, personally).
And when you want to just grab a shirt and go — yet don’t want to look like you woke up five minutes before brunch — a versatile, slim polo shirt can team with your favorite weekend looks. That means everything from tan chinos and leather loafers to light wash denim and classic summer sneakers are fair game. You can’t just throw on any old polo and hustle out the door, though. The key in shopping for a stylish summer polo revolves around searching for a fabric that’s lightweight and breathable, yet textured and visually interesting. And in terms of fit? Look for a polo that cuts out excess fabric and fits a bit like the polo worn by James Bond in “Casino Royale.” You can dig it, right? Feel free to shop these picks below, chime in on Twitter and check out my Instagram account for summer style moves galore. Are you ready? Let’s go.
#1. La Paz Leao Polo — $91.98
An easygoing polo made out of comfortable fabric for a great fit.
Blending breezy and continental style with a versatile color and excellent fabric, the La Paz Leao Polo is the kind of laidback shirt that almost wears more like a T-shirt. With its terry fabric construction, it’ll feel like it, too. That doesn’t mean you can’t dress it up with a lightweight navy blazer, though. Yet, bear in mind that it might look best when worn on a beach or around a bonfire with chinos and a cold Corona. Wishful thinking? I sure hope not.
#2. Flint and Tinder Supima Air Knit Polo in Navy OR Black — $68
Two colors, the same great fit and breathable French terry fabric.
Surely, you’re not sick of reading about Flint and Tinder yet, are you? The brand excels in many a category, making them a Style Guide favorite for plenty of reasons. And the brand’s line of quick-selling Flint and Tinder Supima Air Knit polos? Well, they’re not to be overlooked at all. Featuring the modern-yet-accessible fit for which the brand is known, plus airy Supima cotton construction, either the Navy Supima Air Knit Polo or the more sleek Black Supima Air Knit Polo would be a great pick. Pair either with slim off-white chinos and light blue canvas sneakers from SeaVees.
#3. Criquet Shirts Performance Player’s Shirt — $94 OR Criquet Shirts Player’s Shirt — $79
Another brand offering you multiple options and plenty of bang for your buck.
We’re going with not one, but TWO options from the excellent folks at Criquet Shirts. The brand’s philosophy is simple — no-frills, no-fuss, classic polos with a reliably tailored fit, organic fabrics and cool looks. The Player’s Shirt is perhaps the style for which the brand is most well-known, what with its crisp collar and array of color options. And the Performance Player’s Shirt? It’s the same fit and styling details as the Player’s Shirt, yet it features TransDRY technology to wick away sweat and moisture. Perfect for taking from the green to drinks afterward — just as Criquet Shirts would want it, really.
#4. Mack Weldon Vesper Polo in Denim/Total Eclipse Blue OR Rum Swizzle Pocket – $68
A tailored fit plus micro-mesh fabric and plenty o’ great color options — the Mack Weldon Vesper Polo is an easy winner.
Surely, you all know Mack Weldon quite well — right? The Mack Weldon Vesper Polo proved a big hit last summer (at least in the eyes of this style writer), and the brand has expanded its color offering in the easy-to-wear style since then. What does that mean for you? That means more chances to get an affordably priced polo made from a micro-mesh fabric. Yes indeed, Mack Weldon has once again outdone themselves — I’d wear the Denim/Total Eclipse Blue option with light grey chinos and white slip-on sneakers to your next happy hour.
#5. J. Crew Garment-Dyed Polo Shirt — $45
No set of shopping picks is complete without J. Crew — agreed?
Is it a polo roundup if you don’t include a classic, casual and wearable option from J. Crew? Not quite. For all of the brand’s woes, they still can make an expertly broken-in polo or tee — this garment-dyed option (which has sold quite quickly) nails the balance between breezy and dressed-down. The blue color of this particular option would be a natural fit with rolled white denim and perhaps some classic suede chukka boots.
Here we are at the end of another Online Shopping Picks entry. Remember this: If you start with the right fit — crisp and tailored — and the right fabric (breathable and comfortable), you won’t go wrong when it comes to finding your new favorite summer polo. If you want style that’s fit for kicking back on the beach, the La Paz Leao Polo is a prime pick — if a bit of an investment. If that’s not quite your speed, either of the handsome, slim-fitting Mack Weldon Supima Air Knit polos should set you on the right path to ideal summer style. Still shopping? Don’t sleep on the comfort and affordability you get when you pick up a Criquet Shirts polo. I’m partial to the Criquet Shirts Player’s Shirt, so … maybe you should be, too? I kid, I kid. At any rate, standout brands like Mack Weldon and J. Crew definitely have a plethora of options from which to pick. If you’d like to hear more selections — or if you need guidance on which one to buy — catch up with me on Twitter — I won’t let you down, promise.
Until we shop again — thanks for reading!
-Beau
The Style Guide 