Which polo colour you like best depends mainly on your own taste and what is already in your wardrobe. Skin, hair and eyes can influence how you experience a colour, but there are no fixed rules by which one shade objectively suits you best.
Why colour matters so much with a polo
A polo sits directly below your face. Unlike trousers or a jacket, the colour of a polo reflects onto your skin. A shade that suits you well makes you look fresher and more rested. A colour that clashes can make your skin look dull or, on the contrary, red. Because a good polo is a piece you wear for years, it pays to think about the colour for a few minutes before you choose.
Step 1: look at the contrast you want
A light polo often gives a different contrast than a dark one. Hold different colours up to your face and see which effect you like better.
- More contrast: choose, for example, bright white, navy or charcoal if you want the polo to stand out clearly.
- Less contrast: light grey, cream and light blue give a softer transition.
- No rule needed: dark on dark, light on light or strong contrast can all work.
Step 2: compare warm and cool shades
Instead of trying to determine undertones through veins or jewellery, it is simpler to hold two polos next to each other. Compare, for example, olive green with light blue or cream with bright white, and choose what you feel matches your skin, hair and the rest of your clothing better.
Colour guide by polo shade
| Colour | Often gives | Combine with |
|---|---|---|
| Light blue | A light, cool look | Navy, cream, beige, light grey |
| Charcoal | A dark, clear contrast | Black, white, khaki, light grey |
| Light grey | A soft neutral base | Navy, black, white, taupe |
| Olive green | An earthy, warm look | Cream, beige, brown, navy |
| Brown | A warm, deep base | Cream, khaki, navy, white |
| Cream | A soft light base | Navy, brown, black, olive green |
The soft shades: light blue, light grey and cream
Light blue is perhaps the most flattering polo colour there is. It works with most skin tones and immediately looks fresh in spring. The Theodore open polo in light blue is made of 100% lyocell, fine-knit and without buttons, so the neckline falls open calmly. If you have greying hair, you often choose the Theodore in light grey melange. The melange shade is softer than plain grey and does not make your skin look pale.
Cream is the warm counterpart of white. It is less harsh next to the face and therefore kinder to people with a light or warm skin tone. The Alistair piqué polo in cream has a stripe detail that gives the colour a little more character, ideal for a weekend in the city.
The deep shades: charcoal, olive green and brown
Charcoal is the alternative to black if you are looking for something softer. It works well with high contrast and suits the office just as well as a dinner. The Theodore in dark charcoal melange is the most versatile choice in the range.
Olive green and brown are the colours for warm undertones. They radiate calm and are easy to combine with beige and cream. The Edmund polo with quarter zip in olive green melange is made of 100% lyocell and has a zip that you can wear open or closed. The Montgomery polo in brown is made of a softly draping blend with modal and goes well with cream or khaki trousers.
Colour and season
Besides your own shades, the season also plays a part. In spring, when the light is still soft and your skin is a little paler after winter, light and bright colours often suit better than in autumn. Light blue, light grey and cream fit that naturally. As summer progresses and your skin gets some colour, you can handle more contrast: a charcoal or navy polo then becomes stronger. In autumn, warm shades such as olive green and brown move to the front. A wardrobe with a few soft and a few deep colours lets you shift through the whole year, without constantly needing new pieces.
Three outfits by colour type
- Low contrast, cool undertone: a light grey polo with navy trousers and white sneakers. Calm, fresh and nowhere harsh.
- High contrast: a charcoal polo with black trousers and dark loafers for dinner, or with khaki trousers for daytime. The contrast between polo and trousers matches the contrast in your face.
- Warm undertone: an olive green polo with cream or beige trousers and brown loafers. The warm colours reinforce each other without it becoming busy.
Two polos, ten outfits
If you are just starting a wardrobe, choose one soft and one deep colour that suit your type. With a light blue and a charcoal polo, a navy and a beige pair of trousers, you can already vary a whole working week. Add a warm shade later, such as olive green or brown, for the weekend. On our pages about lyocell and modal you can read more about how these materials wear.
See all colours in the polos for Men collection and find the matching trousers in the trousers for Men.
Shop the look
Theodore: open polo without buttons, light blue
Theodore: open polo without buttons, light grey melange
Theodore: open polo without buttons, dark charcoal melange
Alistair: knitted piqué polo, cream
Edmund: fine-knit polo with quarter zip, olive green melange
Montgomery: softly draping modal polo, brown
Frequently asked questions
Which polo colour suits everyone?
There is no colour that objectively suits everyone best. Navy and light blue are, however, easy to combine.
Is black a good polo colour?
Yes. Black can work with any skin or hair colour; charcoal simply gives a slightly softer dark look.
Which colour should I choose for the office?
Charcoal, navy, light blue and light grey are easy to combine, but the dress code does not dictate one mandatory colour.
What if a colour looks different online than in real life?
Screens do not always show colours the same way. So also read the colour name and product description. For returns, always check the current conditions on the returns page.
