It is often thought of in terms of a uniform - either literally, as in the required get-up of a pizza delivery man or elementary school student, or metaphorically, as the go-to garb for corporate drones and preppy fraternity brothers. Perhaps this is because of the negative associations with which the polo shirt is laden. Yet despite its ubiquity in the male wardrobe, it’s not a garment that typically comes in for much affection or enthusiasm. The polo shirt is a true men’s style staple.
This article was originally published in June 2017. With our archives now 3,500+ articles deep, we’ve decided to republish a classic piece each Sunday to help our newer readers discover some of the best, evergreen gems from the past.