The polo shirt is having a fashion moment again.
You know the one: a collared shirt with a short button placket at the neckline, usually with two or three buttons. Traditionally made from cotton piqué or knit fabric, the polo has long been associated with tennis, golf, preppy style and casual menswear.
But something has changed.
Celebrities are wearing polos in ways that feel less sporty and much more polished — with straight-leg jeans, tailored trousers, skirts, ballet flats, loafers, heels and structured bags.
And for men, this isn’t really a comeback at all.
Men have been using the polo for years as the perfect middle ground between a T-shirt and a button-down shirt.
That’s what makes the trend so interesting. The polo gives you something a T-shirt doesn’t: a collar and a little structure without making you feel dressed up.
Here’s how celebrities are wearing it — and how you can copy the look.
What Exactly Is a Polo?
A polo is essentially a casual shirt with a collar and a short button opening at the neckline.
The classic version has short sleeves, but today’s fashion polos can be made from everything from traditional cotton piqué to fine-gauge knit, cashmere blends and lightweight wool.
The difference between a basic polo and a polished polo often comes down to fabric, fit and collar.
A substantial fabric holds its shape better. A defined collar looks intentional. And a slightly relaxed or cleanly fitted silhouette tends to look more sophisticated than a very tight, sporty version.
Think of it as the shirt that sits between casual and dressed-up.
And that’s precisely why celebrities are bringing it back.
Julia Roberts: The Retro Polo + Jeans Formula
Julia Roberts recently showed one of the easiest ways to make the polo feel current: a retro-inspired striped knit polo with blue jeans and ballet flats.
Nothing about the outfit is complicated. That’s exactly why it works.
The polo adds visual interest, while the jeans and flats keep everything relaxed and timeless.
Copy the look
Striped knit polo + straight-leg jeans + ballet flats + structured handbag
If your polo has a strong stripe or pattern, keep everything else relatively simple.
The goal isn’t to look like you’re wearing a costume from another decade. It’s to borrow the best part of retro style and make it feel modern.
Joanna Gaines: Make It About the Knit
Joanna Gaines recently wore a knit polo from Veronica Beard, demonstrating another important part of the new polo trend: texture matters.
A fine-knit polo can look considerably more sophisticated than a thin athletic-style polo.
Her green-and-navy version also shows how a refined color combination can make a relatively simple shirt feel special.
Copy the look
Try a knit polo in:
- Navy and cream
- Olive and navy
- Chocolate brown
- Burgundy
- Soft gray
- Cream
Pair it with jeans or tailored trousers and keep the accessories understated.
Rihanna: The Polo Doesn’t Have to Look Preppy
Rihanna offers a completely different lesson.
Instead of leaning into the traditional preppy side of the polo, she has paired the casual shirt with jeans and statement shoes.
That’s an important styling trick.
You don’t have to make the polo more formal. You can make the rest of the outfit more fashionable.
Copy the look
Simple polo + relaxed jeans + pointed pumps or slingbacks + sunglasses
The contrast is what makes it work.
A traditionally casual shirt suddenly feels more sophisticated when paired with a dressier shoe.
Taylor Swift: The Polished Prep Version
Taylor Swift has also embraced the more polished, preppy side of the polo.
This is where the shirt starts to feel less like sportswear and more like part of a sophisticated everyday wardrobe.
Copy the look
Classic polo + tailored trousers or structured skirt + loafers or ballet flats + structured bag
Navy, cream, burgundy, gray and white are particularly easy colors to work with.
And Then There’s Men’s Polo Style
Here’s the funny thing about the polo revival:
Women may be rediscovering the polished polo, but men never really abandoned it.
For decades, men have used the polo as the easy answer to a very specific wardrobe question:
What can I wear when a T-shirt feels too casual, but a button-down feels like too much?
The answer is usually a polo.
That’s why you’ll see men wearing them with chinos, jeans, tailored trousers, loafers and sneakers — from casual offices to restaurants and weekend outings.
The modern celebrity version simply takes that familiar formula and makes it more intentional.
David Beckham: The Polo as Quiet Luxury
David Beckham is one of the best examples of how a polo can look sophisticated without looking formal.
His style often relies on simple, fitted or fine-knit polos paired with tailored trousers, jeans, loafers or clean sneakers.
There’s usually no need for a complicated outfit.
The formula is:
Beautiful polo + great trousers + excellent shoes.
That’s it.
Copy the look
Try a fine-knit polo in:
Navy, cream, black, charcoal or chocolate brown.
Pair it with tailored trousers and loafers for a refined look, or dark jeans and minimalist sneakers for something more relaxed.
Ryan Reynolds: The Polo as the Casual Button-Down Alternative
Ryan Reynolds frequently demonstrates why the polo is so useful in a man’s wardrobe.
It’s casual enough to look effortless but structured enough to create a finished outfit.
A classic polo with chinos or dark jeans can accomplish almost the same visual job as a casual button-down — without feeling quite as formal.
Copy the look
Navy or white polo + chinos + leather belt + loafers
Or:
Dark polo + dark jeans + clean sneakers
This is especially useful for dinners, travel and casual events where a T-shirt feels underdressed.
Chris Pine: The Polo Can Go From Day to Evening
Chris Pine is another good example of the polo’s versatility.
A darker polo paired with tailored trousers can feel significantly more sophisticated than a traditional casual outfit while still avoiding the stiffness of a button-down.
For evening, try:
Black or charcoal knit polo + tailored trousers + loafers or sleek leather shoes.
This is one of the easiest men’s outfits to recreate because there are very few pieces involved.
Why Men Keep Coming Back to the Polo
There’s a reason the polo has survived every cycle of fashion trends.
It solves a real wardrobe problem.
A T-shirt says casual.
A button-down says polished.
A polo says casual, but I made an effort.
That’s an incredibly useful category.
And it works across generations.
A younger man can wear an oversized polo with relaxed trousers and sneakers. Someone who prefers classic style can wear a fitted polo with chinos and loafers. Someone leaning toward quiet luxury can choose a fine-knit polo with tailored trousers.
Same basic shirt. Completely different styling.
Does the Brand Matter?
Sometimes.
But the logo isn’t what makes the polo look expensive.
For men, brands such as Ralph Lauren, Lacoste and Fred Perry have deep polo heritage, so buying from one of them can make sense if you care about the brand’s history, construction or signature aesthetic.
For women, designers such as Miu Miu, Tory Burch and other luxury houses have helped push the polo into more fashion-oriented territory.
But if your goal is simply to recreate the celebrity look, you don’t need the exact designer piece.
Pay attention to:
Fabric.
Look for substantial cotton piqué or a beautiful knit.
Collar.
A collar that holds its shape instantly makes the shirt look more polished.
Fit.
Avoid a polo that is excessively tight or overly boxy unless that’s specifically the look you’re going for.
Color.
Navy, cream, white, black, chocolate, burgundy and olive are remarkably versatile.
Branding.
A small logo can be classic. You don’t need a giant logo to make the outfit recognizable.
6 Polished Polo Formulas Anyone Can Copy
1. The Celebrity Weekend Look
Striped polo + straight-leg jeans + ballet flats.
2. The Quiet-Luxury Look
Cream knit polo + tailored trousers + leather loafers.
3. The Modern Preppy Look
Navy polo + pleated trousers + loafers + structured bag.
4. The Fashion-Girl Look
Fitted polo + midi skirt + slingbacks.
5. The Men’s Classic
Navy polo + khaki chinos + leather belt + loafers.
6. The Men’s Evening Look
Black knit polo + charcoal trousers + sleek leather shoes.
The Polo Is Having a Very Good Year
Maybe the polo never really went away.
Men kept wearing it because it was practical. Women are rediscovering it because it offers something fashion always comes back to: a simple piece that makes an outfit look finished.
The celebrity styling is simply showing us new ways to wear it.
And that’s the part worth copying.
You don’t need the exact polo worn by a celebrity. You don’t even need an expensive one.
Find a good collar, beautiful fabric, flattering fit and a color you’ll actually wear — then let the rest of your outfit do the talking.
