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<p>That’s the cool thing about this category; it spans a lot of dressy and laid-back options. It’s a real choose-your-own-adventure. As the weather cools down, I encourage you to take one of these two paths for yourself. Get a <a href=”https://suitsupply.com/en-us/men/knitwear/sand-buttonless-polo/SW2052.html?nbt=nb%3Aadwords%3Ax%3A22010555496%3A%3A&nb_adtype=pla&nb_kwd=&nb_ti=&nb_mi=8015150&nb_pc=online&nb_pi=SW205205&nb_ppi=&nb_placement=&nb_li_ms=&nb_lp_ms=&nb_fii=&nb_ap=&nb_mt=&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwvr–BhB5EiwAd5YbXt6cQ91Z59XoRnBDPQ5itmopTDmBdglPcWU0k1M3C2yl-dyU8qZsTRoCG4wQAvD_BwE” target=”_blank”>minimalist version from Suitsupply</a> to dress down a suit, or go to <a href=”https://www.toddsnyder.com/products/ss-skip-rib-montauk-polonavy?utm_source=googlePLA&utm_medium=google_shopping&utm_campaign=PM_shopping&tw_source=google&tw_adid=&tw_campaign=17887969335&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwvr–BhB5EiwAd5YbXnXqYIA8EsxnxsVq-P_a1QYA8HqIZjA_iTXx3Yi0yHXN_87CcMbtgBoC3gYQAvD_BwE” target=”_blank”>Todd Snyder</a> for something that makes a statement. Here I’ll give you ten paths to get you started in a knit-polo direction.</p>” data-next-head/>
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Best Brand for Knit Polos
Todd Snyder Silk-Cotton Skip-Stitch Montauk Sweater Polo
Now 20% Off
Todd Snyder has one of the best knit-polo rosters on the market. This one is infallibly cool, with a relaxed, easygoing vibe that might spark some nostalgia for your favorite sweater from the late ’80s. Still, it’s contemporary in its style—just try pairing it with anything from jeans to pleated pants and see what happens. The fabric is soft and breathable, with just the right amount of stretch and a textured finish that adds some flair.
| Colors | Navy |
| Sizes | XS-2XL |
| Materials | 55% Silk, 45% Cotton |
Best Place for Minimalist Knit Polos
Suitsupply Sand Buttonless Polo
You don’t have to overthink it to look like you put some real effort in. Suitsupply proves that with this elevated, simple knit polo. This one has a fabric that’s silky soft, slinky, and on the thin side; it’s thicker than an average shirt but much thinner than a sweater. The slim, tailored fit is effortlessly cool, and the no-buttons design enhances its sleek effect.
| Colors | 10 |
| Sizes | 2XS-3XL |
| Materials | 70% Cotton, 30% Silk |
best versatile knit polo
Banana Republic Waffle-Knit Polo Cardigan
Wear this one buttoned up, or unbuttoned with a white tank underneath. Banana Republic’s waffle-knit shirt is easy to dress up or down, as a shirt or as a cardigan, to work or to a happy hour. The relaxed fit and contrast polo collar evoke a distinctly ’70s vibe, so honestly, don’t feel too shy to pull out some flared jeans for this one.
| Colors | Natural, Cool Blue |
| Sizes | XS-2XL |
| Materials | 82% Cotton, 18% Polyester |
A cult-favorite knit polo
Percival Impressionist Jacquard Shirt
Percival has long since been a celebrity-favorite menswear label, so I wasn’t too surprised when I saw this knit polo (among the brand’s many others) on the likes of Chris Evans, Paul Mescal, and Andrew Garfield. This one in particular is an Evans classic—the funky print is easier to pull off than it looks with anything from jeans to khakis. Wear it buttoned, unbuttoned, in summer, in winter; it’s easy like that.
| Colors | Black |
| Sizes | XS-2XL |
| Materials | 100% Cotton |
If you want a knit polo that looks and feels somewhat close to your regular polos, Cos has a foolproof option. This is another silky, ultrasoft style, with a classic fit, ribbed trims, and a smart spread collar. It’s easy to wear and soft to the touch, and it looks damn good with any pants.
| Colors | Dark Mole, Black, Dark Gray Melánge |
| Sizes | XS-XL |
| Materials | 55% Recycled Mulberry Silk, 45% Cotton |
Meet a knit polo that’s perfect for summertime. Billy Reid’s lightweight, textured style is breezy, cool, and versatile—wear it with cargo shorts or with khakis alike, all summer long. Throw on a linen blazer to dress it up for nighttime, but during the day, just enjoy the golf-inspired style, with details including a rollback English shoulder and trochus buttons.
| Colors | White, British Khaki, Carbon Blue |
| Sizes | XS-2XL |
| Materials | 100% Cotton |
A Few More Knit Polos We’re Into
Yeah, yeah. Six was too hard, especially as we’re coming up on peak knit-polo season. I had to throw in a few extras, but I’ll keep these brief.
Take the classic Ralph Lauren polo and sweater-ify it. It’s that simple. I love it in a cotton short sleeve, but the wool-cashmere long-sleeved rendition makes a great layer around the holidays.
British brand Sunspel is one of the first places I’d send you for that “I’m on vacation at Lake Como” look. It’s more affordable than the super high-end of that look, and you get a lot of good for what you pay. The brand makes great cashmere and extra-fine merino options, but I’m into this not-quite-piqué knit. Up close, it has texture, but at a distance there’s a little sheen that piqué won’t give you, really classy. Plus, this polo is made of Egyptian cotton that’s spun in Italy and sewn in Portugal. It’s the best of the best, without a marked-up price for where it’s assembled.
Now, let me take you to high luxury. I recently went deep on a silk-cotton piqué Dunhill polo in my best-polos story, but I love everything the brand puts out right now. This cotton-silk cable knit or the cashmere long sleeve could have made this list just as well. Everything sharp, smart, and classic—not trying to be anything it’s not. If you just made partner, reward yourself with a transitional wardrobe that’s built around a stable of Dunhill polos.
If there were a king of the knit-polo throne, it’d be Brunello Cucinelli. No one does laid-back and breezey to this degree. This one is a linen cotton that’s obviously meant for warm weather, but if you’re here in the fall, there’ll already be plenty of merino and cashmere in the lineup.
Why You Can Trust Esquire
Every knit polo above has been tried, tested, and worn by our editors (and a friend of Esquire, Joey, whom you see modeling them above).
We have high standards for ourselves and even higher standards for you. Over the years, our editors have tried hundreds and hundreds of knit polos, and the six above are the infallible styles that we have in our own closets, love for their style and comfort, and know—through lots and lots of actual, consistent wear—are good enough for you.
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