A cotton suit with a polo shirt is a way to dress down what is already a more casual style of suit. As we have discussed in other articles, a suit made from cotton gives a more relaxed, informal appearance than the more traditional wool fabric. See our article navy cotton suit worn casually.
This means that it isn’t appropriate for formal professional settings but it will be suitable for day-to-day office wear and for smart social occasions.
The pairing of the suit with a long-sleeved polo shirt is in keeping with this casual look. The polo shirt in this case is made from a cotton pique. This gives it breathability so is appropriate for warm weather.
The difference between this shirt and a typical polo shirt is that the collar is constructed like a normal shirt collar. This means that it is larger and stands up above the jacket collar. This is the key aspect that you want to ensure happens with the shirt. This polo shirt has a button down collar which helps to keep it in position. The length of the sleeve also replicates a normal shirt with a bit of cuff showing at the wrist.
The choice of colours is a key consideration with this outfit. A white polo shirt would also work but might look a bit too much like it is trying to be a standard white shirt. The tonal look of navy on navy gives it a subtle elegance. However, there a range of different colours that you can play around with in an outfit like this. Given the more casual nature, it is well suited to combinations of tan, green, beige, cream, grey, and various shades of brown. It’s predominantly a spring/summer outfit so lighter colours are often used.
The shoes are also fairly casual in nature, being suede tassel loafers. You could also wear it with derbies, or even oxfords. It’s also the type of outfit that is suitable for no (or no show) socks.
Another polo shirt alternative is a knitted wool. These are also quite breathable and the fabric feels smoother than the cotton pique. This example is short-sleeved which makes it more casual than the long-sleeved version. The collar is smaller and less robust than the cotton pique but it still just about stays in place above the jacket collar. There are many ways to experiment with fabrics, textures, styles and colours when it comes to a cotton suit with a polo shirt.
