#OOTD: How to Wear a Polo This Spring

Editor’s note: You’ve surely seen this hashtag lots of different places, including on Instagram. But how does that carry over to real life? The #OOTD series will take one great item and put together a versatile, stylish outfit around it. Look for past features here.

With the recent rise to prominence of athleisure in the #menswear world — that is, wearing athletic-style clothes outside the gym — the lines have blurred in terms of what items work together in certain outfits. Take a great pair of black sneakers, for instance. Once confined to being worn at the gym or only very casually, they now work in a variety of situations — even with garment-dyed jeans and a polo (spoiler alert!). The key is to approach the rest of your outfit in the same way — so, keeping the principles of style and proper fit in mind, and looking toward colors that work together. Of course, looking for a sport-inspired polo to finish off your outfit doesn’t hurt, either. And a crisp black stainless watch works very nearly everywhere regardless of the situation. Got that all down? On to the #OOTD below!
Florsheim

Mixing great outerwear with a retro polo and sneakers.

Mixing great outerwear with a retro polo and sneakers.

The Jacket: Bridge and Burn Harden Herringbone Jacket, $128 — A herringbone jacket in the spring? When it’s made from a poly/cotton blend in a  versatile color, it definitely works. It’s a step away from a more traditional spring jacket, and definitely would be handy to have when the weather turns south.

The Polo: BOAST USA Striped Pocket Polo, $72 — While you could certainly grab one from this site’s list of the best polos for spring, there’s something refreshing about reaching for a sporty offering from an unexpected brand.

The Denim: JackThreads Natural Garment-Dyed Slim Denim, $59 — Again, any of the options in The Style Guide’s list of the best lightwash denim would also work, but the Natural color is a nice change of pace — and it’s a tremendous price, too. Plus, these can be ordered as part of the brand’s free #JTTryouts program.

The Sneakers: Brooks Heritage Chariot Sneakers, $51.99 — These sneakers combine retro styling and modern performance in a silhouette that’s just sporty enough without looking like a traditional running sneaker.

The Belt: Perry Ellis Webbed Leather Trim Belt, $22.99 — Sometimes, less is better. That is, this belt combines some nice texture and a casual look with a low profile (unlike some of the belts in this feature).

The Socks: Pair of Thieves No-Show Spelurking Socks, $10 — Finding a pair of no-show socks that can be worn reliably through the spring and summer should be on your to-do list — they’ll keep your feet comfortable and help your shoes last much longer, too.

The Watch: Larsson and Jennings Chain-Metal Watch in Silver, $380 — Unlike other stylish casual watches featured on this here site, this timepiece definitely gets up there in price — but, you get reliable performance and minimal style in one package.

The Trunks: Mack Weldon 18-Hour Jersey Trunks, $22 — These trunks are remarkably comfortable and well-made, definitely worthy of the higher price tag.

The Hat: Ebbets Field Flannels Sacramento Solons Ballcap, $45 — When looking for areas in which to make style upgrades, a ballcap sans an athletic brand logo is a great place to start. Plus, it finishes off the ensemble with even more sporty, retro style inspiration.

Sometimes, great style can center around taking a few key pieces in the same theme — say, sport-inspired classics — and making them work together. A striped polo and jeans is nothing new, but when paired up with comfortable, retro sneakers and a vintage ballcap, you’ve got the makings of a solid casual outfit.  A stylish spring jacket from a brand that knows how to make ’em is always a reliable bet, too. And a versatile watch with some interesting visual details (like a chain-metal strap) works well with the rest of the ensemble. Have an idea for a look you want to see in the #OOTD series? Let me know on Facebook!

Thanks for reading and stay stylish,

-Beau

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Online Shopping Picks: The Five Best Polos to Buy for Spring and Summer

Editor’s note: To fill up your digital shopping cart with  more spring shopping picks, start over here.

When it does warm up, you'll be glad you grabbed a sharp polo. Pictured is one from last year's Michael Bastian x Uniqlo collaboration. Linen shorts by Frank & Oak. Vintage ballcap by Goorin Brothers. Brown leather watch by Daniel Wellington. Glasses by Warby Parker.

When it does warm up, you’ll be glad you grabbed a sharp polo. Pictured is one from last year’s Michael Bastian x Uniqlo collaboration. Linen shorts by Frank & Oak. Vintage ballcap by Goorin Brothers. Brown leather watch by Daniel Wellington. Glasses by Warby Parker. Shot outside the Los Angeles Shinola store.

The polo — underrated style move, or a once-cool style move that’s been co-opted by fellas rocking one too many with popped collars? We’ll consider those important questions and more here today on The Style Guide, where we’re into full-on spring shopping mode. A trusty spring jacket is going to be an essential layering piece, as will a slim, lightweight sweater, but eventually, things will warm up. And when they do, don’t count out the polo. The key to differentiate it from polos of years past (likely florescent in color — see Exhibit A) is to pick out one that’s cut slim and modern, with some unique texture or pattern to boot.  The great thing is that designers have certainly stepped up their game in recent years — get a load of the retro, high fashion-inspired polos produced as part of the Michael Bastian x Uniqlo collaboration in recent years. And as with the style you see at the top of the page, you should be looking for similar inspiration and a trimmer fit. Yes, the polo has gotten its own upgrade (thankfully). And hopefully, the picks below are going to be upgrades for yourself, too. Read on, and get to shopping — those polos won’t buy themselves now.

#1. J. Crew Textured Cotton Tipped Polo Shirt — $49.50

Retro style, meet a very competitive price point from J. Crew.

Retro style, meet a very competitive price point from J. Crew.

J. Crew’s take on the textured cotton polo shirt looks to be a nice return to form from a retailer that’s had its struggles as of late. But when it comes to easygoing seasonal staples, it’s still tough to beat them. This polo combines some retro style inspiration (check out the tipped collar and sleeves) with what should be soft fabric and a trim fit. Any of the three colors would be remarkably solid to rock at the office with slim tan chinos and a retro pair of sneakers, but this writer’s a fan of the navy-and-white colorway in particular.

#2. Uniqlo Dry Shirt Collar Polo — $19.90

The dressier answer to the casual polo, courtesy of Uniqlo.

The dressier answer to the casual polo, courtesy of Uniqlo.

While this Uniqlo polo loses the fancy stripes of the J. Crew option in slot #1, it manages to look surprisingly dressy and crisp thanks to the button-down collar. Plus, the built-in DRY technology will keep you cool. Notably, Uniqlo’s polos are a remarkably good value for the price. The range of color options here again means any of the brand’s picks would be suitable to rock under a lightweight blazer in a heightened shade of blue. While plenty of us just can’t seem to stop wearing blue (myself included), the light shade shown here is perfect for spring Sunday brunch — and beyond.

#3. Grayers Slub Nep Jersey Polo in Denim Blue — $59.50

Spring and summer-ready fabric at a reasonable price.

Spring and summer-ready fabric at a reasonable price.

When it comes to prep style staples, Grayers is definitely a brand to which you want to turn. Its Slub Nep Jersey Polo is crafted from soft jersey fabric that manages to be surprisingly breathable. Having checked out one of these myself, the fit is slim and the styling potential is perfect for spring — for a styling suggestion, check out a recent #OOTD from this site. The heather blue fabric is a nice change of pace when you want to add some texture to a denim jacket, and the price is solid for a polo that can be worn with everything from lightwash denim to grey chinos.

#4. Bonobos Classic Pique Polo in Heather Brick — $58

Don't let the blues get you down -- grab this heather brick polo instead, ehh?

Don’t let the blues get you down — grab this heather brick polo instead, ehh?

Designers and brands have definitely been changing up their approach to polos, opting for softer fabrics than pique — but Bonobos knows its knitwear, so this pick still stands (or is it pique?). The Classic Pique Polo in this case takes a shade of burgundy more commonly seen in fall & winter and updates with some nice heather texture. It’d be a great piece to work into your rotation if you’ve already got polos in other colors, and the price isn’t too bad for being Bonobos (home of tuxedos that push $1,000). Feel free to rock this with slim stone chinos and brown suede chukkas on weekends galore.

#5. Sunspel Riviera Polo Shirt in Navy — $125

As worn by Bond himself, a heritage style updated for modern times.

As worn by Bond himself, a heritage style updated for modern times.

Last but CERTAINLY not least, I give to you — the polo worn by James Bond. Yes. Yes, indeed. Sunspel sure did strike it big when Daniel Craig wore its Riviera Polo in Casino Royale, simultaneously putting that particular style on the map and encouraging a bunch of guys to hit the gym.  At any rate, if there’s such a thing as investment-quality polo, this is it. It’s about the furthest thing from the bad connotations given to the polo — this shirt is all class, with breathable cotton mesh fabric and styling potential worthy of James Bond.

As I sought out the perfect polo (or polos, in this case), I looked several places — perhaps you should, too. Brands like Banana Republic offer their own, slightly dressier takes on the polo, while a more classically focused retailer like Old Navy offers very reasonably priced, sport-inspired options. As with any picks here on the ole Style Guide, focusing on fit, quality and price are going to put you in the right position to pick up the perfect polo (say that five times fast!). Did I miss any key picks? Drop me a line on Twitter, and check out The Style Guide on Facebook either way.

What’s your favorite polo on this list? Do you have yours picked out yet?