When paired with equally sophisticated pieces and fashioned with greater detail and an evolved metropolitan aesthetic, the sporty staple that is the knitted polo shirt instantly becomes a polished and refined style element

Most people automatically assume that making a statement with your sense of style requires showy pieces and a dramatically dressed up execution. There is a glaring miscommunication between what is often seen on the runway and what makes its way on to the street. What designers and brands display season after season are thought-out and concocted looks meant to inspire and spark creativity and personal expression in one’s daily wardrobe and  not meant to be taken literally. Not that there’s anything wrong with sifting for trends and the latest goods online and from publications—but it’s appalling to me how so many guys tend to overdo it, walking out the door looking as contrived as an editorial or, worse, like a must-have list for the season. My philosophy is quite simple: If you look even the smallest bit like you gave your outfit more than five minutes of thought, then it’s overdone. Harsh? Maybe. Unsound? No. While we all want to look presentable, desirable, and unconditionally stylish, it is paramount that this always looks like an effortless endeavor. One should walk out the door like he simply woke up and said “I’m grabbing the first thing I see in the closet because I don’t have time for this nonsense,” while still managing to look like he walked out of Bergdorfs. The key is to build your wardrobe the way a merchandiser would assemble a collection for a store—finding bits and pieces of all the right things, items that anyone would buy or wear. Whatever is hung and folded in your closet should have a universal appeal, yet have the ability to make you stand out once it’s on your back. One such item that I feel is absolutely crucial to any well-dressed man’s wardrobe is a cool, casual, yet undoubtedly sophisticated knit polo shirt. There isn’t a shirt out there that can boast the same ease, comfort, and inherently smart demeanor.

This particular shirt, as the name implies, originated from the game of polo, a game whose origins were pretty much shared by Tibet, Persia, and India before it was incorporated into western culture by British colonizers. Until then, traditional and acceptable sportswear consisted of stiff, constricting, and uncomfortable garb that usually included flannel, tweeds, sweaters, and stiff shirts—clothes intended to make players sweat it out while keeping them looking sharp and upright even when exercising. The knit shirt, which was introduced in the 19th century, was a welcome alternative to the sports uniform. It allowed movement and was generally a very forgiving and comfortable shirt, with lightweight knitted cotton that still managed to look chic, appropriate, and presentable (care of this pullover shirt’s rolled collar and buttons at the neck opening).

While the polo shirt first emerged as suitable activewear for pedigreed sports like polo, lawn tennis, and golf—and is widely perceived to be the ultimate casual piece—the shirt is also a strong player when it comes to a sleeker mode of dressing. Yes, while you can’t go wrong when matching it with khakis and a pair of cordovan penny loafers or Sperry Topsiders (a preppy pairing worthy of Ike Eisenhower or the late Ted Kennedy), a more urban and cosmopolitan take is possible when worked elegantly with tailored trousers or stiff and well-constructed denim. There are many sporty variants out there from “fashiony” sportswear labels like Lacoste, Polo Ralph Lauren, and Original Penguin, but other labels have also begun to offer luxed and dressier versions of the polo, with a more stylized and chicer flair. Raf Simon’s critically acclaimed pieces for Fred Perry include fantastic details like a metal woven mesh shirt that is malleable and stays crumpled for a textured look and barely there shrunk collars, while the stylish and thoroughly modern label Tyler offers slim and sophisticated versions of the shirt that emphasize a tailored cut and attention to detail. Perhaps that’s the main appeal of a shirt of this variety. It speaks volumes in versatility, easily shifting from daywear to night gear. It’s a simple enough shirt with no frills, no complications. An eternally reliable piece, one that’s just as easily slipped on as a t-shirt, but as spiffy and presentable as an oxford button- down.