4 Looks That Prove You Need a Polo Shirt ASAP

You would think that after years of the polo shirt being an integral—not to mention required—element of our school uniforms, we would do anything in our power to steer clear of them. But you, friends, would be wrong. When a piece proves its versatility by looking just as cool with our favorite distressed boyfriend jeans as it does under a breezy midi dress, we simply won't be ones to fight it. And with polished-casual style reigning supreme as our unofficial uniform as of late, it's no huge surprise that our Ralph Lauren polos are seeing some serious wear right now—they're the perfect balance between off-duty and pulled-together. So leave your scoop-neck tee behind and try the four polo-centric looks we'll be wearing all season long.

This season, there are two color stories outshining the rest: rainbow brights—the bolder, the better—and soft pastels. The first is ideal for maximalist dressers and those looking to get high engagement on their next Instagram photos (snapped in front of an equally poppy-hued door of course). Every color of the rainbow is fair game, and you can choose to mix a few into one look or opt for standalone solids. We're especially into pairing this lilac polo with sunny yellow and cheery red accessories. Wearing the top under a feminine frock is a cool way to add some personality, not to mention that it's a great hack for making sleeveless pieces office-appropriate.

Now back to those pretty pastels… Depending on our mood, we're going head to toe in soft shades or allowing one fun accessory to pop against a backdrop of neutral ones. Here we've gone with the latter approach, focusing on a pair of oversize pink earrings that are just begging to tag along on our next tropical vacation. These flirty slingback heels and this raffia bag are making the same request, and who would we be if we didn't at least daydream about wearing this outfit for an alfresco dinner by the beach?

Sometimes nothing feels more right than a pair of jeans and an easy T-shirt. Sound a bit basic? It doesn't have to be. Replace that tired tee with a cropped polo and those basic skinny jeans with two-tone denim featuring a cool chopped-up hem, and you get a look worth talking about. Since no outfit is complete without killer accessories, we're really leaning into the casual vibe for our selections here. Think sporty with a hint of retro by way of a leather belt bag, circular sunnies, and crisp-white perforated sneakers.

Classic button-downs are an easy choice for work, but wearing long sleeves during the warmer months sounds like a sticky commute just waiting to happen. Allow us to offer the polo as the solution that ticks the professional and practical boxes on your office-attire checklist. As previously mentioned, we're really loving pastels right now, and a soft-blue shade feels super on-trend underneath a white-and-tan suiting ensemble. Creamy white loafers and a bucket bag couldn't be better companions here—just make sure to drink your coffee before getting dressed.