Can You Wear A Tie With A Polo Shirt?: Yay Or Nay

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases

If you are curious about can you Wear a Tie With a Polo Shirt? then this blog is for you. Currently, the combination of a polo shirt and a tie has become more popular and may be considered as a part of a modern, appropriate wardrobe for any man. This rather strange pairing enables you to wear a casual yet chic, fashionable outfit with a personal, artistic twist.

In fact, irrespective of whether you are heading out for a business casual occasion, a semi-formal wedding, or any other style-oriented soirée, the key to looking great and getting the combination of a polo shirt and tie right is discussed in the following article.

Table of Contents

What is a Polo Shirt?

Now, do not let us get into the details of how you can combine a polo shirt with a tie before we ask ourselves what a polo shirt is all about. A Polo shirt is a knitted dress shirt with a collar a placket neckline and short sleeves.

Although it was designed for sports such as tennis and golf, the polo shirt is no longer exclusive to sports though it can be associated with sports brands and fashion brands that make sports wear.

Polo shirts come in various styles and materials, including Polo shirts come in various styles and materials, including:

Pique: A type of textile material that has come to fashion, and is usually woven into a characteristic rice-grain pile surface which is prevalent in conventional polo shirts.
Jersey: A non-stretch fabric that is a woven knit fabric used to give a more casual and relaxed feel.
Linen: A kind of light piece of clothing that can be worn in the hot season and that allows the skin to breathe.

Why Wear a Tie With a Polo?

One of the reasons that makes it possible to wear a tie with a polo shirt is that it gives an outfit a more formal look when dressed up for the event. Here are a few reasons why you should consider this unexpected combination:

Elevates a Casual Look: Pairing of the tie with the polo shirt makes the formal shirt more versatile, and appropriate when you intend to attend events that are somewhat formal or official.
Adds Personality: The subtle piece essentially becomes the platform for showcasing your flair and what can be described as the fun part of dressing.
Appropriate for Dressier Events: Even though polo shirts are intentionally categorized as informal wear, sometimes a polo shirt and a tie can be worn to a rather semi-formal occasion like a wedding, a cocktail party, or even a workplace.
Versatile: Polo and tie make good clothing combinations, especially for weekday and weekend wear, not leaving out weekend parties and other such occasions.

Can you wear a polo shirt to a wedding?

Absolutely! Even though the idea may seem quite formal and stiff, the combination of the polo shirt and tie proves to be appropriate and fashionable for particular types of weddings. A polo shirt with a fancy tie and dress pants or chinos are ideal for a semi-formal or a casual and casual wedding, mostly during summer.

However, the strictness of the dress code and the general degree of formality of the wedding must also be considered. For white tie or formally black tie occasions – which are not common in weddings – one would look better in a tuxedo and tie.

Polo & Tie Pairing Basics

Before you start experimenting with different polo shirt and tie combinations, it’s essential to understand some fundamental principles:

Finding the Right Fit

Another thing that must be taken into account is the size of the pants because, in this case, the looser fit is the best option. For your polo shirt, it is recommended that it not be too tight or too loose on the body to avoid wrinkling.

Finally, the tie width that should be chosen should match the collar opening of the polo shirt you intend to wear. It has become the custom to choose a tie that is smaller than the collar width by about 2 inches.

Guide to Necktie Widths for Different Collar Openings

Collar Opening (inches)Necktie Width (inches)

Collar Opening (inches)	Necktie Width (inches)
3 - 3.5	2 - 2.5
3.5 - 4	2.5 - 3
4 - 4.5	3 - 3.5
4.5+	3.5+

Tie with a polo shirt: style trend or fashion mistake?

While the occasional combination of polo shirts and ties was once perceived to be quite ugly, it has become a modern trend that fashionable people would like to adhere to. Occasionally this combination can be considered innovative and unconventional enhancing a simple, plain dress.

However, as we have seen, it is important to remember that, like any fashion accessories decision, it is crucial to find a balance and determine the appropriateness of the situation. Where a formal office environment might require more formal wear, such as a pinstripe or brown suit with a fitted blouse and slacks, a bright, patterned polo in association with a tie is better for casual wear like a brunch or a casual wedding.

The only thing that remains a secret on how to put it is the concept of fit, color, and pattern matching, coupled with the courage to play around with them and make them you.

Classic Color Combinations

If you’re new to pairing polo shirts with ties, start with some tried-and-true color combinations that never fail to impress:

Complementary Colors: A navy polo with an orange tie and a burgundy polo with a light blue tie.
Monochromatic: Navy shirt with a grey v-neck and charcoal grey tie.
Preppy Patterns: Black printed gingham polo with a light blue neatly striped tie.

These classic combinations are tried and tested dependable outfits that will make you look elegant without going over the edge with your creativity.

Mastering Patternplay

Once you’ve familiarized yourself with the basics, it is time to spice things up by adding patterns to your polo shirt and tie ensembles. Furthermore, it is crucial to back these patterns with other patterns that are not as dominant as the first set and to make sure that the scales’ weights are aligned.

Combining Different Scaled Patterns: As for the tie’s pattern, a small paisley tie can be dressed in a striped polo; an even more vibrant floral tie can be toned down with a solid-colored polo.
Bold Florals or Geometrics: For a bold look, extend the use of the prints to your ties or polo shirts; experiment with floral or geometric prints for that wow factor.
Pinstripe or Checked Ties: Some neutrality in fashion further embodies a casual polo, striped or checkered ties.

However, it can be good to always have harmony when dealing with patterns so that we do not overload the eye with many things going on.

Beyond The Basics: Next-Level Pairings

For those who are confident in their style and love to push the boundaries, consider incorporating these elements into your polo shirt and tie combinations:

Incorporating Textures: Fine knitted or silk or velvet ties can make your dress up interesting and creative.
Unexpected Colors: It is okay to use nontraditional color schemes such as baby or neon colors or deeper tones like gems.
Coordinating Full Outfits: Upgrade your image by making sure that your polo, tie, and other accessories such as pocket squares, socks, and so on match to complement each other.
Personal Style: In a nutshell, however, the best way to get this look right is by bringing to the outfit, your sense of fashion, and owning it.

Footwear and Accessories

You don’t need to overly dress up when wearing a polo shirt and tie, some good shoes and accessories will do the trick. Here are some options to consider: Here are some options to consider:

Footwear

Loafers: Of course, the simplest and most timeless designs are the ones originating from the famous penny and tassel loafers.

Sneakers: Sneakers that have a clean design and no unnecessary decoration can fit perfectly in casual wear and still look chic.

Boots: Chukka boots are also known as Chelsea boots and are perfect for giving your outfit that tough touch.

Accessories

Pocket Square: A well-folded pocket square can do wonders by adding to the tie or by adding color to the outfit.

Watches: A stylish watch can be just the right final touch according to some people.

Briefcases or Totes: For the business or formal look, choose a stylish briefcase or for other occasions that may require you to have your belongings more portable, consider using a tote bag.

Dressing for the Occasion

That is why many people love wearing the polo shirt and tie combination; it is very versatile. However, it’s essential to tailor your look to the specific occasion:

Casual: For informal events, try not to overdo with the bright prints, wear knit ties, and do not hesitate to match your outfit with sneakers.
Business Casual: As for clothing, go for non-vibrant colors, and simple prints, and wear more formal footwear like loafers.
Semi-Formal: These are elements like using a single hue or two colors that are opposite to each other on the color wheel and wearing elegant fabrics such as silk and linen.

Potential Pitfalls to Avoid

While the polo shirt and tie combination offers endless possibilities, there are a few pitfalls to be mindful of:

Overpowering Patterns/Colors: It is important not to use large patterns with other large patterns or different colors as this is very much of a ‘turn off’.
Poor Fit: A fitting of a polo or tie that is not in harmony with the rest of the outfit will break the whole look.
Wrong Accessories for the Setting: It is always wise to make sure that the accessories one wears are appropriate to the occasion.

Conclusion

The pairing of a polo shirt and tie combinations is not an easy thing, it is one of the many ways individuals get to unleash their personalities. That way, by following the guidelines and principles that you can find in this guide, you will be ready to use them to achieve looks that not only are attractive but also proper for different occasions.

Keep in mind though that fashion is all about playing around and having fun with it and, of course, feeling as comfortable as possible in the clothes you’re putting on. Do not be afraid to make some radical touches to your uniform and this should lend you gadgets that best define your personality.

If you have the appropriate matching of the chic polo shirts, ties, and the available accessories, your dressing will be simplified.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases

Can You Wear a Tie With a Polo Shirt?: Yay or Nay

What is a Polo Shirt?