Men’s Guide: How to Wear Vintage Polo Shirts & Denim Jackets

You may own all the gear, but do you know how to wear the gear?! 

Denim jackets have been at the forefront of men’s catwalk and high street fashion for several years now (all hail the return of 80s - thank you Back to the Future & Stranger Things…) and they’ve become a staple part of mens’ wardrobes. This year, polo shirts have also made a bit of a comeback (lucky for us as we have amazing selection of vintage Lacoste polo shirts for this summer!). We want to help give you inspiration on how to wear two of the summer’s hottest trends - and wear them vintage. 

How to Wear Vintage Polo Shirts
Polo shirts were traditionally worn by tennis players and Lacoste was started up by a professional tennis player looking to take his style off the courts and onto the streets. Polo shirts have become pretty classic in men’s fashion and we want to give you some advice on how to wear these beauties without looking like you’ve just hopped off the court. 

Choosing the right polo for you is important. There are many different types of collars, fittings, buttons and materials to pick from, so paying attention to the details is key when matching your polo shirt with the rest of your wardrobe. This is particularly important when picking a vintage polo shirt; these will have more quirks than newly produced polo shirts and may need a little more pondering time. Once you’ve found the right match for you, paired with the right trousers, jeans or shorts, your polo will look ace. Polo shirts give your outfit a smart but relaxed style that can either be dressed up or down and can be worn throughout the seasons. 

What are the types of men’s polo shirts?

Short sleeved
This style s traditional and comfortable. With a relatively loose fit, it’s easy to move it, the collar is wide and it makes for a really easy, interchangeable garment. Whether you’re wearing it for sport, a day out, dress down Fridays or to the pub, a short sleeved polo shirt is a super easy item to own that will never look out of place (except perhaps at a rave). Our range of short sleeved polo shirts come in many styles, colours and patterns - check them out here.

Long sleeved
Perhaps less popular than the short sleeved polo shirt, long sleeves are ideal for the British weather. In a climate where unpredictable rain and difficult to find sunshine (that can suddenly surprise you with burning heat), a long sleeved polo shirt is a sure guarantee to keep warm, it won’t make you look silly when the inevitable rain showers pelt down but it will also serve you well when the sun breaks through. Usually slim fit, they can also be worn for formal occasions and replicate traditional casual shirts pretty well.

Regular fit
As suggested in the name, regular fit polo shirts are unsurprisingly the most common fit. Sitting relatively loosely on the torso but tighter on the arms, this is a great style for those wanting to show off your body and equally, good for hiding that little unwanted bit of weight! This comes in different sleeve length so you can pick what’s right for you.

Slim fit polo shirt
If tight is right for you, a slim fit polo shirt will be right up your street! Unlike the skin tight Tees you’ll find on the high street, vintage slim fit polo shirts and wholly flattering and a great to pair with chinos and jeans for a night out or date. If you’re confident in your body and want to show it off, this is the style for you whilst also keeping a classic but contemporary vibe to your outfit.

How to Wear Vintage Denim Jackets 

We have an extensive range of vintage men’s denim jackets and we do believe that a spring/summer wardrobe is not complete without one! Denim jackets are classic, stylish, comfortable and very versatile, which is why there definitely isn’t only one way to wear one…

There’s not a lot that you can’t wear with a denim jacket (perhaps don’t try it at Ascot though). We’ve put together a list of how to wear your jacket to match different occasions and what you can where them with:

Smart-cas
The phrase ‘Oh it’s just smart-casual’ often strikes fear into the hearts of men. Two pretty contradictory terms paired together to create a style that is slightly different at each occasion and stresses people out - a lot. We think a vintage denim jacket can come into its own here; if you’re looking for a smarter look, head for a darker shade of denim and for more casual, go for a paler denim. To dress a denim jacket up, wear it with a shirt and to dress it down, match it with a tee. It’s an effortless transition and will guarantee that you look great. 

Casual
Wearing a denim jacket casually is a very easy look to achieve and can be worn in so many different ways and accommodate so many different styles. If you’re a joggers and t-shirt type of man, a denim jacket will give your look an edge and suggest a little more effort than you’ve actually put in. For the man who’s casual style involves chinos (yes we see you), match your chinos and denim jacket with a white tee and you will have created the ultimate relaxed but classy look.

Wear it with a shirt
We believe denim jackets look better with casual shirts rather than dress shirts but you can wear these shirts with jeans or trousers to create a smart, sophisticated look that is also effortless and completely on trend for 2018. 

What footwear?
The versatility of a vintage denim jacket allows you to wear numerous types of shoes. Depending on what look you want to go for, denim jackets can work with vans, converse and high top trainers for that casual look as well as brogues, suede shoes and dessert boots for a more formal ensemble. 

We hope our guide has been useful and that we've inspired you on how to wear your vintage polo and denim jacket - you can even try the two together! Check out full range of brands and styles here