Is it OK to button the top button on a polo?
Sarah Smith
Published Jan 25, 2026
Polo Shirt Collars and Buttons
Should I button the top button?
At its core, the answer's simple. "Undoing your top button makes you look (and feel) more relaxed. It works perfectly for outfits with casual shirts. But in a formal outfit, like a suit and tie, you'd of course always do the top button up," says Thread senior stylist Alice Watt.
Should I button the top button of a polo shirt?
While polo shirts do have three buttons, it is advised to not button fully to the top or leave all the buttons undone. Think about buttoning your polo with a happy medium in mind and leave one or two open. And finally, popping the collar is currently not a trend.
Should I leave the top button?
There's a basic rule when it comes to buttoning up a suit jacket: "Sometimes, Always, Never" — if you have a three-buttoned jacket, sometimes button the top one, always button the middle one, and never button the bottom one. In a two-buttoned suit, you should always button the top button and never the second.
Should I button the top button with a tie?
You can leave the top shirt button undone and knot the tie just below it. This works well with a button-down collar (buttoned or not). If your neck is longer, try leaving your collar up, not folded down. Keep the tie loosely knotted, top collar band and shirt buttons open.
23 related questions foundIs it OK to wear a suit without a tie?
It depends on the occasion, however the answer is generally no. Not wearing a tie with a suit, would be like not wearing socks with your shoes or not wearing cuff links with your cuffs! The suit is designed for the tie and would be lost without it.
Should I button my suit jacket?
The two-button jacket should never have both buttons fastened. The three-button suit comes with a simple rule: "sometimes, always, never." It means you should sometimes fasten the top button (if you feel like it), always fasten the middle button, and never button the third.
How many buttons should I leave unbuttoned on a polo?
No matter how many buttons your polo has, you always want to leave the top 1-2 buttons undone & never unbutton them all. Keep in mind that you want your buttons to end no further than the top of your armpits. Doing so frames your face and can make your entire outfit look more put together.
Why do people button the top button on a polo?
Polo Shirt Collars and Buttons
To make it simple: the more buttons you leave unbuttoned, the more casual the look is. And yes, you can actually button the top button if you want to create a clean, polish outfit.
Do men look good in polo shirts?
Polo Outfits for Men
Polo shirts are an ideal clothing choice for casual occasions. They look great when paired with jeans, sweatpants, or shorts. You also have the option of wearing many different shoe styles such as loafers, sneakers, boat shoes, and espadrilles for a relaxed Miami vibe.
Why do polo shirts have buttons?
Polo Shirt Origins: Lacoste & India
At the time, most of them wore long-sleeved shirts made of thick cotton with broad collars but due to the heat and discomfort, they began attaching buttons to the shirt collar to prevent them from flapping in their face as the horses galloped.
How do you not wear a polo?
DON'T tuck your polo shirt into shorts.
- Unless you're intent on going into full on prep mode, rock the polo untucked (or a french tuck if you absolutely must) when you wear shorts. ...
- Pay attention to the fit of your polo in two major areas: the waist and the arms.
How many polos do you own?
The answer is that you should own 2-3 polo shirts in different colors and 1-2 rugby polo shirts. Again, the five-finger rule will help you cherish your polo variety.
How do you wear a polo?
Overall the shirt should sit close to your body — fitted but not too tight. It can be a little tighter in your chest and arms, and then taper down to your waist. The better shape you're in, the closer-fitting the polo can be, but you don't want it skin tight.
When should a man button his suit jacket?
Buttoning Rules For Single-Breasted Suit Jackets:
These jackets should ALWAYS be buttoned when standing. Unbutton the jacket when sitting down, so that it doesn't crease. The traditional way to button a two-button jacket is to Always fasten the top button and leave the lower undone.
Are One button suits professional?
Though it can lend a more formal look to suits in more formal cloths, it is not necessarily a more formal style just because it is most often used on dinner jackets and morning coats. Any type of lounge coat may be made with just one button on the front.
Where should the top button of a suit be?
The top button on a two-button suit should hover between 1-3 fingers above the belly button and will pull slightly when done up (depending on the look the wearer is going for). If it is too high and tight, it will "pop" or pull too aggressively.
Is it OK to wear a spread collar without a tie?
Wearing a spread collar without a tie is an excellent variation on standard collars for many men, but if you have a round face, it might not be for you. That's because the spread collar can make a wide face seem even bigger. Men with very slim faces or angular cheekbones should welcome the spread collar.
Can you wear a button-down without a tie?
You can certainly button your shirt all the way up and forgo the tie. This look has been gaining more popularity lately and is often best suited for fall and winter as you might find it is too hot to wear your shirt fully buttoned in the summer.
Which collar is best for no tie?
Cuban Collar = No Tie
The collar on these shirts is an open and notch-like style. For shirts with these collars, skip the necktie. Made for ensembles on the more summery/casual spectrum, a tie would simply look out of place (and you're not going to want to button your collar up all the way with this style, anyway).
How many polo should a man own?
Overall, 30 tops — a mix of shirts, polos and tees — is a sensible number for a guy. Fine, 50 at the most. Shoes should be in single digits (excluding gym and activity specific shoes).
Should you tuck in a polo shirt with jeans?
Make sure your polo shirt isn't too long, it should fit nicely and sit no lower than your jean pockets. Depending on the occasion, wear a belt, so should you need to tuck your polo shirt in, you can tuck it in with ease. Depending on the denim colour of your jeans, make sure the colour matches according.
Do you tuck in polo shirts?
Polo shirts:
Polo shirts have an even hem and they can be worn untucked, but for a dressier look, you can tuck in the shirt and make sure to wear an apt belt. This style is especially worn by golfers. You can even leave them untucked for a modern and casual look.
Why are polos longer in the back?
Traditionally, the common piqué (a weave of cotton that adds texture) polo shirt is longer in the back and shorter in the front to help it stay tucked in when you bend over.
Why do polo shirts have collars?
Application to polo
This shirt was the first to have a buttoned-down collar, which polo players invented in the late 19th century to keep their collars from flapping in the wind (Brooks Brothers' early president, John Brooks, noticed this while at a polo match in England and began producing such a shirt in 1896).