How Far Down Should a Polo Shirt Go?

If you still haven't stocked up on Polo shirts for the fall and winter, don't waste any more time! Polos are perfect for any occasion, from the office to weekends to the evenings at the pub, and are the ideal layering canvas for changing weather. 

The beauty of a Polo tee is also that it's easy to style and comes in various colors, styles, and patterns. Wear it with jeans, wool trousers, chinos, or joggers, and create endless outfits! 

However, one thing is essential if you want to look just right, and that's the fit of the t-shirt and especially the length of the hem. So how far down should a Polo shirt go? 

The Polo Brief 

For those who are unfamiliar, a polo is something in between a tee and a regular shirt. It has a collar with a few buttons and is usually made of thicker cotton called piqué cotton that looks sturdier. A Polo, though, can also be made of other fabrics such as merino wool or modal. 

Polo is perfect for that smart casual look, and you can choose from a variety of styles, patterns, and colors to suit your style and occasion. 

You may have noticed that polos are especially popular in bright, eye-catching colors so you can experiment freely. Choose a classic black or maroon polo for work, but let it loose with a green, yellow, or sky blue tee for the weekend. 

Classic and Fitted

While initially, polo shirts were mainly worn on polo, tennis, or golf courts, with time, they became ubiquitous. We owe a big part of that to the tennis legend Rene Lacoste who reworked the tee and made it lighter, more breathable, and modern. 

The Polos fall into two main categories: classic fit and slim fit. You can choose it based on your preference or get both for different occasions. 

A classic polo is looser and has a longer hem that you can tuck in, and a fitted tee generally is worn untucked and hugs the figure tighter. 

Whichever style you choose, always shop polo tees for men at Fresh Clean Threads if you are looking for quality pieces.

The Length of the Hem 

You know those old-school Polo tees your granddad and suburban dads loved in the 80s and 90s? Yes, the ones that might as well have been a dress. Well, you don't want that. 

The length of the Polo shirt is a debated topic, but there are a few guidelines we strongly suggest following to avoid looking sloppy. 

Classic fit Polos are usually longer in the back, so you can tuck them in; however, whether you choose this or slim fit, you want to pay attention to the front of the hem. 

Remember that it should never fall below your trouser pockets and should finish somewhere right below your belt line. 

You, of course, don't want the tee to be too short, so check it by lifting your arms - if your stomach gets revealed, your shirt is too short. 

Shoulders, Sleeves & Chest

Besides the shirt length, check its shoulders. The Polo shoulder seam needs to sit right on the shoulder and never slope lower down the arm. And make sure there's no tugging or pulling under the armpits! 

Your sleeves should never go down lower than the mid of your biceps and not be too baggy yet not too tight (if you can put the finger under it and slide it, then you're good to go). 

Lastly, while the chest and torso tightness will depend on the type of shirt you choose (classic or slim), always use common sense. The shirt is too tight if you can't pinch an inch or two of fabrics on the sides and too baggy if you look like you're wearing...a bag.