Non-UK customers: the price that you pay excludes UK VAT. Local taxes and duties apply. Click here for more information. Christmas returns: orders received from 25 November to 23 December 2024 can be returned by Friday 10 January 2025.
Your cart

Styling the Cashmere Polo Shirt

How to style the Cashmere Polo Shirt

The Cashmere Polo Shirt is a modern wardrobe essential, blending the refined elegance of knitwear with the timeless appeal of the classic polo. Such a versatile piece deserves a place in every man’s collection, whether you’re curating a capsule wardrobe or simply looking for a fresh take on smart-casual dressing.

How to wear the cashmere polo shirt
With its luxurious softness and understated sophistication, the cashmere polo is far more than just a seasonal staple. It bridges the gap between polished tailoring and relaxed everyday style, offering endless styling opportunities for both work and leisure. In this guide, we’ll explore how to wear this versatile piece, whether you’re layering it for warmth or dressing it up for an occasion.
History
The Cashmere Polo Shirt is a modern evolution of a garment with a rich and fascinating history. The polo shirt originated in the late 19th century, designed for practicality and comfort on the polo field. British soldiers stationed in India adapted their shirts for the sport, adding buttoned collars to prevent flapping during play. The design’s simplicity and functionality made it a hit beyond the polo field.
In the 1920s, the style evolved further with a focus on breathable, lightweight fabrics, making it a favourite for sports and casual wear alike. Its effortless blend of comfort and elegance allowed it to transition from athletic fields to wardrobes worldwide. By the mid-20th century, the polo shirt became a symbol of versatility, in the US and France adapting to a variety of settings from smart-casual to everyday attire.
Fit
This cashmere polo shirt is designed for a slim, modern fit, tapering slightly from the chest to the hem for a refined silhouette that minimises excess fabric. The armholes are cut smaller than traditional sweaters for a streamlined look, yet maintain comfort and mobility. Over time, the natural stretch of the cashmere allows the garment to mould beautifully to your body. It’s worth noting that this style runs small, so we recommend sizing up for the perfect fit. For detailed sizing, please refer to our size chart.
Quality
Every stage of production for this Cashmere Polo Shirt reflects an unwavering commitment to excellence. Crafted from the finest cashmere sourced from inner Mongolia, the fibres are of exceptional quality, with a diameter of approximately 15.5 microns and a length of around 38mm—making them some of the softest and most durable in the world. The yarn is spun by Todd & Duncan at their historic Loch Leven Mill in Scotland, celebrated for over 150 years for their strong, high-quality yarns. The garment is knitted, hand-finished, and washed by expert artisans in the Scottish Borders, a region renowned for its knitwear heritage. Attention to detail, such as hand-linking seams and washing in pure Scottish waters, ensures a flawless finish, exceptional softness, and remarkable longevity. This polo shirt is not just a wardrobe piece; it’s a testament to meticulous craftsmanship.


Sport or Casual: with a Light coloured Chino


Styling the olive Cashmere Polo Shirt—or any of our polos—with white or cream chinos nods subtly to the style's sporting heritage. Leaving the polo untucked adds a rugged, contemporary edge, while partially unbuttoning the placket strikes the perfect balance between smart and relaxed, giving the look effortless sophistication.

Everyday Elegance: with a tailored trouser

Buster Keaton, estimated 1920.

 


Styling the cream polo with classic grey slim-tailored trousers creates a timeless and refined look. Grey trousers pair effortlessly with any colour from our polo collection, while dark brown or black penny loafers add a touch of enduring elegance to complete the outfit.

The elegantly understated chocolate brown polo is a timeless shade that adds a masculine warmth to any outfit's colour palette. Here, it is styled untucked with grey tailored trousers, creating a seamlessly polished and relaxed look.


For added insulation, layer our superfine lambswool mock neck under the Cashmere Polo Shirt in a shade close to your skin tone, perhaps oatmeal or dark brown. This provides discreet warmth and protection against the wind without detracting from the classic silhouette.
Paired with brown dress shoes, the Cashmere Polo Shirt achieves a level of refinement that even a pair of jeans can exude elegance. Opt for dark, stiff jeans and cuff them at the ankle to maintain a sharp, polished appearance. Additionally, the cream shade of the polo, paired with darker brown tones in the same colour family, creates a cohesive and sophisticated look from head to toe.
Effortless Business casual: with a Blazer

Buster Keaton, estimated 1920.


Styling the Cashmere Polo Shirt with stiff denim trousers and a corduroy blazer offers a perfect interplay of texture and style, blending casual and polished elements seamlessly. Adding a scarf draped over the ensemble introduces a refined touch and a cohesive visual line. Here, the scarf is chosen in a mid-tone between the jacket and polo to subtly tie the look together.

 


For a touch of mystery, experimenting with a monochromatic black-to-grey palette is an excellent choice. Here, a medium grey suit is styled with a lighter grey Cashmere Polo Shirt and a darker Cashmere Belmondo Roll Neck. By incorporating varying shades rather than a single tone, the look gains depth and intrigue, adding a modern twist to this classic colour scheme.


For a relaxed country casual look, pairing a softer, lighter denim trouser with a denim shirt creates an approachable, grounded aesthetic. The navy cashmere polo shirt can easily be used as a pullover over the double denim look, given that the blue tones complement each other. 


The addition of the printed green blazer with navy accents ties in beautifully with the navy polo, while the complementary hues of blue and green enhance one another. The green further evokes a rustic, rural charm, rounding out the ensemble with an inviting, natural feel.


Classic edge: with a leather jacket

James Dean, The Unenlightened Road, 1955.


Inspired by James Dean's timeless style, pairing dark tailored trousers with a black leather jacket and any coloured Cashmere Polo Shirt creates an effortlessly classic and cool aesthetic. Here, we’ve styled the look with a Cashmere Polo Shirt in navy, for a modern twist to this iconic combination.

 


Without the leather jacket, the Cashmere Polo Shirt in navy paired with tailored trousers creates a sharp, streamlined look. The rich navy tone and clean lines of the polo shirt exude elegance, while the tailored trousers add structure, making this combination perfect for a smart and polished outfit.


The Cashmere Polo Shirt in grey also pairs beautifully with slim trouser jeans, offering a refined yet relaxed look. The structured fit of the polo and the sleek silhouette of the jeans create a modern, versatile outfit that's perfect for smart-casual occasions.

Winter warmth: with Colhay’s Shawl Collar Cardigan


Here, the cashmere polo is styled with our Shawl Collar Cardigan, an excellent choice for winter layering. The combination of cashmere and wool provides exceptional warmth, cocooning you in comfort during colder months. The polished, slim fit of the Cashmere Polo Shirt contrasts beautifully with the rugged masculinity of the Shawl Collar Cardigan. For this look, we’ve chosen a warm beige and brown colour palette, creating a timeless and sophisticated ensemble.

In our detailed image showcasing the navy cashmere shawl collar cardigan and dark olive Cashmere Polo Shirt, you can see how these beautifully crafted textures come together to create an elegant tapestry. The interplay of these rich tones and luxurious fabrics makes styling effortlessly sophisticated, highlighting the timeless versatility of our knitwear. 


Silk style twist

Sailors, estimated 1940.

Another luxuriously soft material, silk, makes for the ultimate versatile accessory in scarf form. Its adaptability allows you to experiment with different knot styles to suit your mood and outfit. Here, we’ve opted for a tailored, tighter knot, styled both tucked in and left loose for versatility. The scarf's subtle pattern complements both the black polo and the model’s skin tone for a refined, understated look. To keep the scarf securely in place, button the polo all the way up. The ensemble is effortlessly paired with classic grey trousers for a polished finish.
The Shawl Collar cardigan is paired with the Cashmere Polo Shirt, creating a harmonious combination of textures and styles. For a preppy and polished look, the outfit is completed with white chinos. Leaving the polo unbuttoned reveals more of the scarf, adding a touch of playful vintage charm. The scarf’s colour, subtly matching the polo, ensures a cohesive and understated finish to the ensemble.

The Cashmere Polo Shirt is a truly versatile piece, effortlessly blending comfort, sophistication, and timeless style. Whether paired with tailored trousers for an elegant look, layered with a shawl collar cardigan for winter warmth, or styled casually with denim for a relaxed charm, it proves to be a wardrobe staple that works for any occasion.
Available in a range of rich colours—black, cream, navy, grey mélange, oatmeal, dark brown, and dark olive—there’s a shade to suit every style and preference. We’d love to see how you make the cashmere polo your own. Share your looks with us by tagging @colhays on Instagram and inspire others with your personal take on this classic.
← Back to Style Journal