The Best Knit Polos You Should Buy Right Now & the Right Way to Wear Them

When it comes to getting dressed up for a special event, there are a few wardrobe staples that can make or break your night. Sure, a classic suit jacket is a safe choice, along with a tailored pair of pants and the right shoes. But now there’s a new piece in town that’s changed the game – and it’s all about looking fresh and feeling comfortable. Enter the knit polo, a no-frills, short-sleeved top that’s part retro, part modern and ready to take your wardrobe from late summer into the fall.

“The best thing about knit polos is how low maintenance they are,” says Los Angeles-based celebrity stylist Vanessa Powell. “Most of the time, they don’t require pressing, and they are usually a one-and-done outfit that stands strong on its own.”

Even though a knit polo is decidedly a more casual wardrobe staple than, say, a button-down shirt, its versatility still lends itself easily to a dressed-up look. That’s why you see some of the coolest celebs rocking them on the red carpet, showing up in polos for movie premieres and awards shows alike.

How to Style a Polo

Not sure how to style them? We asked a few styling pros who know a thing or two about looking cooler than anyone on earth for a few, foolproof tips on the right way to wear a polo right now.

“I love my knit polos tucked in to a trouser [to] show some shape,” say Warren Alfie Baker, a celebrity stylist based in Los Angeles, California, “but also, if the knit is a button-down, wear with a tank top tucked into some pants and open the knit for a Havana night vibe.”

Dressing Up a Polo…

If you’re trying to elevate your look and still want to rock a comfortable polo, think of your fit like you would when layering with a classic collared shirt.

“Polos are super versatile,“ Powell says. “To dress them up, throw on a blazer or jacket, chinos, and loafers.” In other words, using the other pieces and your simple accessories and footwear can make your polo shirt look like a million bucks – and more modern than ever.

… And Dressing it Down

On the flip side, for anyone who wants to look the part – but doesn’t want to be overdressed for beers with the team – a knit polo still makes it easy. The bottom line is that it just comes down to how you style your shirt with your other pieces. “Pair it with baggy denim or cargos and cool sneakers,” Powell says on keeping your polo attire casual. “You’ll feel polished on the top, but cool and casual on the bottom.“

No matter the occasion, a knit polo offers a little bit of everything: comfort, style, and the kind of versatility you need to get from the conference room to happy hour without stressing.

With Powell and Baker’s tips in mind, here are some of our favorites to shop right now.

Textured Rib Burgundy Polo

So you might not technically be Glen Powell or one of the Chrises, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start dressing like ‘em. Polos have come a hell of a long way – and this open knit mercerized cotton shirt proves it with a vintage-inspired Johnny collar and classic vibes for days. Better yet, go with the brand-new burgundy color, just in time for fall.

Tipped Cotton Sweater Harvest Orange Polo

Usher in fall weather with a stylish pop of color thanks to this classic tipped cotton polo. It also comes in navy and black, but your closet’s due for a statement-making staple, don’t you think?

Birdseye Sweater Chartreuse Polo

Meet the perfect retro polo, complete with a Johnny collar and a unique birdseye knit pattern in a timeless chartreuse colorway. It’s the kind of classic shirt that you can wear layered underneath a suit jacket with jeans or on its own with a pair of pleated pants. Now, we don’t like to play polo favorites around here, but if we did…

Birdseye Sweater Rosewood Polo

“[Polos] are an easy throw-on and look great dressed up or [dressed] down,” Baker explains. “You could wear the same polo with jeans and some boots and then switch out with some trousers and loafers and you create completely different vibes. It’s a staple for a wardrobe.”

Full Placket Pointelle Navy Polo

A textured take on the classic polo is this full placket pointelle top, complete with buttons down the front of the shirt. Bonus points for the ribbed detailing that sends your fit to movie star status.

Ribbed Sweater Camel Polo

Congrats, bud – you made fashion varsity. With its Johnny collar, tipped detailing, and wide ribbed design, this vintage ivory polo looks like it was plucked straight out of a mid-century modern film set. It boasts a slightly more tailored fit, making it a solid layering choice along with a suit or underneath your best fall jacket.

Ribbed Sweater Espresso Polo

(Don’t say it, don’t say it, don’t say it…) That’s that me, espresso polo – designed with a soft-and-comfortable mercerized cotton fabric, a sleek Johnny collar, and a rich color that gives your look an extra kick from morning till night.

Retro Diamond Cafe Polo

Here’s the thing: The office feels as cold as your morning ice bath and you’re probably finding a happy hour or planning to meet your date after work. Pull on this long-sleeved merino wool knit, with a dose of preppy style, durable merino wool fabric, and a little bit of coverage fit for chilly nights.