Today, polos are worn almost exclusively off the court and in every ZOOM call in our new WFH environment. But how should a polo shirt fit?
If it fits properly, a polo shirt can look great dressed up or down, and it’s a flattering garment on most body types, including shorter men.
A well-fitted polo shirt can give you a classic, lean, and muscular appearance all at once. For a detailed explanation of how polo should fit, read on.
How Should a Polo Shirt Fit?
A polo shirt should fit similarly to a t-shirt or henley which means that it should be snug in the chest and slightly loose through the torso.
The shoulder seam should be at the point where the shoulder ends, and the sleeves should droop halfway between the shoulder and the elbow.
Neck
Simply put, a polo shirt should be easy to put on with all the buttons unbuttoned. The polo shirt should fit properly once it is on, around your neck and shoulders, without bunching or creases.
Shoulders
Your shoulders, not the arms, should be where the shoulder seam is located. Anything loose-fitting will appear sloppy and lose all formality.
A tight fit across the shoulders will cause it to pull up under your arms, so you also don’t want that.
Chest
Like a well-fitting t-shirt, a polo shirt should be fitted in the chest but not be overly tight. Your chest should be covered by the material without any bunching or creasing.
The polo shirt is too tight if there is too much creasing because the fabric is stretching across your body. The polo shirt is too loose if too much fabric is bunching up.
Torso
The polo shirt should drape effortlessly along your torso. It shouldn’t bunch up against your belly because doing so will make the polo shirt appear too tight and make you appear overweight.
On either side of the polo shirt, you should be able to pinch about 2-3 inches of extra fabric. Any more and the polo shirt will appear too baggy.
Length
How long should a polo shirt be?
Depending on whether you want to wear a well-fitting polo shirt for casual or business purposes, the length will vary.
Simply put, you will probably need to tuck the polo shirt in if you plan to wear it in a more formal setting. As long as the shirt is long enough to tuck in and stay there while you move around, the length doesn’t really matter in this situation.
You want the polo shirt to be long enough to cover your belt and end halfway down your zipper for more laid-back looks where you will likely wear it untucked.
Every time you raise your arms, it will expose your back if it is any shorter. If it’s longer than this, your outfit’s proportions will be off.
Related Reading: Do You Tuck in Polo Shirts?
Sleeve
The entire appearance of a polo shirt can be ruined by ill-fitting sleeves. In order to fit as many men as possible, the majority of polo shirts have broad sleeves.
However, a loose sleeve looks terrible because it distorts the shape of a well-fitting polo shirt and makes your arms appear smaller.
Choose polo shirts with slimmer sleeves that gently encircle your biceps and extend halfway down your upper arm (from your shoulder to elbow).
A tight-fitting sleeve can therefore make you appear more fit, even if you don’t have strong biceps.
Should a Polo Shirt Be Tight Around the Arms?
Whatever fit you decide on, a polo shirt should never be constrictive around your arms.
Because of its distinct design, ease of wear, and carefree elegance, the polo shirt is a style icon. You might need to try a different fit or size if your polo shirt is too tight around the arms.
Read More:
Final Words: How Should a Polo Shirt Fit
No matter your personal style, a polo shirt can help you achieve your desired look, fitting in with the latest trends, while simultaneously transcending them to become timeless and allowing you to experiment with your style.
I hope you enjoyed this guide on how a polo shirt should fit!
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FAQs about How Should a Polo Shirt Fit
How Should a Golf Polo Fit?
The polo’s shoulder seam should not extend halfway down your bicep; rather, it should rest on your shoulder bone. The sleeve should hug your arms comfortably and end approximately halfway down your bicep.
How Long Should An Untucked Polo Be?
For men of any size, there should be about 1.5″ at its loosest point”, but no more than 3″ when pinching the extra fabric on the side.
Should Polo Shirts Fit Or Loose?
A polo shirt should fit closely to the body, just like a t-shirt.
