You wear a polo in winter by choosing a knitted polo with long sleeves or a warm fabric such as merino wool, and by choosing dark and warm colours. By wearing a layer over it: a wool cardigan, a blazer or an overcoat. A fine-knit quarter-zip polo is the most versatile, because you can close the neckline when it is cold. That way the polo, which many men only wear in summer, stays a polished alternative to a shirt all year round. Below you can read how to go about it, with four complete winter outfits.
Why a polo works in winter
The polo has the image of the tennis court and the terrace, but the knitted polo is a very different piece. It has the collar of a shirt, the comfort of knitwear and the warmth of a jumper, provided you choose the right fabric. At the office it is smarter than a jumper and more relaxed than a shirt. Under a blazer or cardigan it looks modern. And because it has no button placket all the way down, it feels less stiff. In short: the polo belongs in a winter wardrobe too.
The right fabric
| Material | Warmth | Why in winter |
|---|---|---|
| Merino wool | High | Warm without getting stuffy, stays fresh for longer naturally |
| Lyocell, fine-knit | Medium | Ideal as a layer under a cardigan or blazer, feels soft |
| Viscose with polyamide, knitted | Medium | Drapes smoothly, holds its shape, lovely under a jacket |
| Modal | Light to medium | Soft and supple, good for heated offices |
The warmest choice is merino wool. The Trenton in black, an open polo in 100% merino wool, keeps you warm on cold days and breathes in a warm office. If you want a thinner layer to wear under a cardigan or blazer, a fine-knit quarter-zip polo in lyocell such as the Edmund in olive green melange is ideal. The zip gives you control: open indoors, closed outdoors.
Winter colours for a polo
In summer you wear polos in white, light blue and pastel. In winter the palette shifts to deeper, warmer shades: black, charcoal, navy, olive green, brown and burgundy. These colours go with wool and tweed, with the grey sky and with dark trousers. A polo in a warm shade of brown, such as the Montgomery in brown, in modal, looks rich and polished in winter. Navy, such as the knitted piqué polo Alistair in navy, is the classic all-rounder.
Light colours are not forbidden in winter. A cream or ivory polo under a dark blazer gives a lovely, light contrast near your face. Then keep the rest of the outfit dark.
The layer over it
In winter you rarely wear a polo alone. The layer over it determines the look:
- A wool cardigan makes the polo business-like and warm. The Maximilian cardigan in beige, in 100% wool with a tailored cut, works as a soft alternative to a blazer.
- A blazer makes it more formal. Keep the polo collar inside the lapels.
- An overcoat directly over the polo is perfect for the weekend or a dinner. A scarf around the open neckline keeps you warm.
- A quilted jacket or gilet gives a casual, sporty look for a walk or a day in town.
Four winter outfits with a polo
- Office: olive green quarter-zip polo, beige wool cardigan, coffee brown pleated trousers, brown loafers. Warm in colour and polished without a tie.
- Important meeting: black merino polo, charcoal blazer, black trousers, black leather shoes. Sleek and modern.
- Dinner: brown modal polo, dark trousers, navy overcoat and a wool scarf. Relaxed and warm.
- Weekend in town: navy knitted polo, dark jeans or chinos, quilted jacket, leather sneakers.
The trousers to go with it
In winter the trousers can be warmer too. Trousers with a brushed inside, such as the Frederick in coffee brown, feel soft and warm on the inside, while on the outside they look like classic pleated trousers. Combine them with a dark polo or, in fact, a cream one, depending on how much contrast you want.
How should a winter polo fit?
Because in winter you often wear a layer over your polo, the fit is especially important. The shoulder seam should sit exactly on your shoulder, not beyond it. The polo may fit closely without pulling across the chest or stomach; under a cardigan or blazer, a polo that is too roomy forms creases and the whole look becomes clumsy. The length ideally falls just over your belt, so the polo does not peek out below a blazer but also does not ride up when you move your arms. If you wear the polo tucked in, choose a slightly longer style. A collar that is firm and lies nicely flat makes the difference between a polo that looks polished and one that hangs limp after an hour. On knitted polos you can tell by a dense, firm collar band and a clean finish to the rib.
Long or short sleeves?
A polo with long sleeves is the logical winter choice. A knitted polo with short sleeves is possible too, but only under a cardigan or blazer that you keep on all day. If you want to take your jacket off at the office, choose long sleeves. Sleeves that fall just over the wrist bone look the smartest; sleeves that are too long form creases under a blazer.
Care in winter
Wool and lyocell do not need to go in the wash after every wear. Hang your polo to air for a night after wearing and only wash it when really necessary, on a wool or delicates programme. Always dry flat. That way the collar keeps its lovely shape and the fit stays as it should be.
Discover all models in our polos for men or the knitwear for men, and see the Office for Men collection for complete working-day outfits.
Shop the look
Trenton: open merino wool polo, black
Edmund: quarter-zip lyocell polo, olive green melange
Montgomery: modal polo, brown
Alistair: knitted piqué polo, navy
Maximilian: wool cardigan with a tailored cut, beige
Frederick: trousers with brushed inside, coffee brown
Frequently asked questions
Can you wear a polo in winter?
Yes. Choose a knitted polo in a warm fabric such as merino wool, in a dark or warm colour, and wear a cardigan, blazer or overcoat over it.
Which polo is the warmest?
A merino wool polo. It keeps you warm, breathes well and stays fresh for longer naturally, even on a long day indoors.
Do you wear a short-sleeved polo in winter?
Only under a cardigan or blazer that you keep on. If you want to take your jacket off, choose a polo with long sleeves.
