THE JOURNAL
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Feel It: 6 Tactile Polo Shirts To Add Texture To Your Summer Outfits
Words by The MR PORTER Team
9 July 2024
Most dress codes tend to loosen up come summer. Which we celebrate, but leaves us with questions. Chiefly: what on Earth do you wear when a plain T-shirt is too casual, but a button-up shirt too formal? Enter the polo shirt – a versatile, now-classic silhouette that has cemented itself as a bona fide smart-casual staple of men’s style since it was first popularised in the 1920s. Aside from instantly elevating any outfit without feeling too stuffy, the polo shirt is a subtle way to mix things up a bit and play with textures and depth. Here are some of our favourites, but there are plenty more good ones where these come from.
01. The Mr P. knitted polo shirt
When we think of elevated basics, a versatile polo shirt such as Mr P.’s is exactly what we have in mind. Don’t be intimidated by the merino wool construction – its lightweight handle and natural temperature-regulating properties make it a perfect option, even in the sun.
02. The Dunhill piqué style
Leave it to British heritage brand Dunhill to take a classic polo and reimagine it for a modern wardrobe. A welcome alternative to classic white, this off-white polo has an unexpectedly fresh feel, thanks to the subtle piping along the neckline and sleeves and the open collar.
03. The ZEGNA linen number
If your wardrobe sits on the quieter side of the sartorial spectrum, bringing texture to neutral outfits can be pretty daunting. Something as simple as a slub linen polo shirt, such as ZEGNA’s, may just be the easiest place to start. As for the colour, nothing says summer quite like tangerine orange.
04. The Sunspel towelling staple
To produce most of its pieces, Sunspel relies on Sea Island cotton, the luxury fabric noted for its fine, long fibres and resulting silky lustre. This rich chocolate-brown polo is no exception – the towelling texture is incredibly soft against the skin, as well as conveniently absorbent.
05. The Missoni spaced-dyed piqué must-have
Missoni’s trademark space-dyed technique makes for a sleek way to pledge your allegiance to the Italian luxury brand. The cotton-piqué it’s made from is light and breathable, making it a refined option when temperatures rise.
06. The Orlebar Brown pointelle essential
Orlebar Brown has mastered the art of summer wear – and nothing says sunny season quite like an open-knit staple. Not far off from the ever so weather-appropriate crochet, this Roddy polo is knitted using a pointelle pattern, which makes its handle naturally light and airy.
