The knitted polo is what happens when a sports shirt grows up: the open collar and buttoned placket of the polo, rendered in fine-gauge knitwear rather than pique cotton. It is the most versatile top in the smart-casual wardrobe, dressier than a tee, easier than a shirt, and it layers under everything from a blazer to a duffle coat. Gloverall knits both of its polos in 100 percent Merino wool at a fine 16 gauge: the Men's Long Sleeve Knitted Polo Shirt and the Men's Short Sleeve Knitted Polo Shirt. This guide covers how to wear them, and how to choose between the two.
Why Merino, and why 16 gauge
Gauge is the knitting measure of fineness: the higher the number, the finer the needles and the closer the fabric sits to a woven shirt. At 16 gauge, a Merino polo drapes rather than bulks, sits cleanly under a jacket, and shows the collar's shape instead of collapsing it. Merino brings the rest: soft enough for bare skin, breathable enough for a heated office, and warm beyond its weight when the temperature drops. It is the difference between a polo you wear in summer and a polo you wear most of the year.
How to wear a long sleeve knitted polo
With tailoring. The long sleeve polo is the modern alternative to shirt and tie: worn under a blazer or an unstructured suit with the collar sitting over the lapel line, it reads considered without stiffness. Charcoal, navy and cream are the colours that carry this best.
With trousers or dark denim. On its own, buttoned to the top, the long sleeve polo has enough presence to be the outfit: add tailored trousers and loafers for the smart version, or dark denim and clean trainers for the everyday one.
Under a coat. This is where the fine gauge earns its keep. A knitted polo sits under a duffle coat, peacoat or overcoat without adding bulk, and the collar gives the coat's open neckline something to frame. A silk or wool scarf slots in naturally.
How to wear the short sleeve version
The short sleeve knitted polo is the warm-weather half of the pair: worn with chinos, linen trousers or tailored shorts, it does what a tee cannot, hold a collar and a clean line through the body. Resist the urge to size down; a knitted polo should skim, not cling, and the hem should finish at the waistband rather than below it.
Choosing between the two
If the polo will mostly live under jackets and coats, or stand in for a shirt at work, take the long sleeve. If it is a summer and travel piece, take the short sleeve. At one polo each side of the seasons, the honest answer is that the pair covers the year between them.
Caring for a Merino polo
Hand wash only, reshape while damp, and dry flat; never hang a fine knit wet. The full routine is in the knitwear care guide. Treated this way, a Merino polo keeps its shape and colour for years.
Frequently asked questions
Are knitted polo shirts smart casual?
Yes, they are close to the definition of it. A fine-gauge knitted polo with tailored trousers and leather shoes passes almost every dress code short of black tie, and the same polo with denim stays presentable. It is the single most register-flexible top a man can own.
Can you wear a knitted polo under a blazer?
That is arguably its best use. Keep the collar spread over or just inside the lapels, choose a polo in a darker or tonal colour relative to the jacket, and skip the pocket square formality: the polo sets a softer register than a shirt.
Should a knitted polo be tucked in?
Untucked as standard: the hem is knitted to sit at the waistband. Tuck it only with high-waisted tailoring where the drape stays clean, and never with denim.
