Heretical probably but I don't think Polo shirts make sense

[babygreenspots]

Especially in summer. Polos expose the forearm while covering the torso with a thick fabric. Yes, I know that it is a highly porous and supposedly ventilated fabric, but I still sweat a lot in these. I much prefer very thin woven cottons in either short or long-sleeves.

It's just like wearing a sweater and shorts, which many evidently find to be quite stylish and comfortable. Why would you want to expose one part of your body while covering the other part in a relatively warm fabric?

 

[Tomasso]

It appears that weed is plentiful in Beijing.

 

[yfyf]

No, I'm inclined to agree as well. Polos do not seem cool to me at all. I much prefer a roomier buttondown and rolled up sleeves.

 

[scientific]

oh you convinced us, we'll stop wearing them

 

[babygreenspots]

Originally Posted by Tomasso

It appears that weed is plentiful in Beijing.

My suggestion is that absurd? I suspect drugs are quite difficult to find in Beijing these days, at least relative to before. There was a major crackdown on the foreign dealers who used to be blatant in their activities. I'm sure people who know how to get the stuff still can, but the drug dealers who used to ply the streets are no where to be found now, with the Olympics coming up.

 

[AR_Six]

I was expecting some comment on the difficulty of making polo shirts look good, which is a problem I struggle with quite frequently myself. However, I do not find them at all too warm!

 

[Modernist]

Actually the first poster is quite right. Here in Athens, the temperature during the summer is constantly around 35C, and sometimes exceeds 40C. Especially during those days, a polo is plainly unwearable. A short-sleeved shirt is a better alternative.

Polo shirts are still good for late spring, early fall, or during the night in the summer.

 

[yfyf]

Actually, if we're going to ***** about polo shirts, my beef with them is the typical collar. It's very flat and shapeless, it tends not to have much vertical height which gives the polo a sort of collarless t-shirt look. I think you might find that people who look bad in t-shirts will look bad in polos as well. This is the main reason why I rarely wear polos.

Of course, some makers have a more shirt-like collar and I find that a lot more attractive.

 

[laphroaig]

I have nothing against anyone wearing polos but there are a couple of things that put me off them. The first being the jacquard collar, which looks absolutely beautiful... until the first wash. And whenever I go anywhere I've very rarely thought the polo would be the most appropriate thing to wear. I've only ever worn it during summer to golf, on the boat / fishing, and as resort wear (all very rare); and sometimes to BBQs, where it has just the right amount of informality. Unfortunately I despise the way the polo sleeves drape on my skinny arms.

 

[Threadbearer]

Originally Posted by babygreenspots

Heretical probably but I don't think Polo shirts make sense
Count me among the heretics; I'm with you, brother. I also think most polos are fairly unflattering, mostly because of the collar, but also because of the cut and the colors they generally come in. To my eye, polos only look appropriate on golfers and little boys.

For my money, the best summer shirt is a breezy linen button-front, usually with the sleeves rolled up.

 

[whacked]

Originally Posted by yfyf

Actually, if we're going to ***** about polo shirts, my beef with them is the typical collar. It's very flat and shapeless, it tends not to have much vertical height which gives the polo a sort of collarless t-shirt look. I think you might find that people who look bad in t-shirts will look bad in polos as well. This is the main reason why I rarely wear polos.

I totally agree. Wasn't able to elaborate it this well myself, however.


I find it interesting that the posters who have so far expressed dissatisfaction with polos reside in places with climate far hotter than most areas in the States.

 

[Roger]

For those of you--yfyf, Threadbearer, whacked--who find distasteful the wimpy, knitted polo-shirt collars that tend to curl and lose all shape, some Brioni polos are available with a stiffer, higher, stitched, and more structured collar. I've picked up several just like this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/NWT-BRIONI-POLO-...QQcmdZViewItem

There are others out there too:

http://cgi.ebay.com/425-NWT-Brunello...QQcmdZViewItem

As for the OP's comments re warmth, I can well appreciate this--given the somewhat heavier knit that polos are usually made in (even the common open pique knit)--although I've never personally had to worry about this in Vancouver, where summer temperatures seldom rise above 80 F. I think that if I were living in 35-40 C temperatures (95-105 F)--not really that unusual at the height of summer in the US Southwest, South, Midwest, and East--I'd opt for a very lightweight (80-90 gm.) cotton poplin short-sleeve button-up shirt for comfort, or possibly a lightweight linen.

 

[Crane's]

Polos have their place. In any case fabric selection is more important than anything else if you're dressing for climate. Try a polo shirt made by Under Armor. It's made of technical fabrics especially made for wicking moisture and keeping the body dry. Cotton is a poor choice for very warm weather clothing. It's clammy, takes forever to dry and is not antimicrobial. There's my 2 cents....

 

[Loose On The Lead]

Originally Posted by Crane's

Try a polo shirt made by Under Armor. It's made of technical fabrics especially made for wicking moisture and keeping the body dry.
Another option is BB's ProSport line, which is now discounted. I'd be interested to read people's opinions on how those polos look. My impression of the white one I got for free is that it feels nice, but looks too clearly like it's designed for athletic pursuits. But I don't trust my visual impressions at all, and neither should you (trust mine, that is).

BB ProSport polos

 

[Crane's]

I think they look fine. There is an entire market for this style of clothing. Active wear.