Is a tie appropriate with a polo shirt?

**Nighthawk** · 27th November 08, 02:11 PM

Just like the title says. I was putting on my navy blue polo with my Black Stewart, getting ready to go to my in-law's house for dinner, when the question popped into my head. It came up because the polo has a collar. So- thoughts?

Happy Thanksgiving, all!

**Colin** · 27th November 08, 02:15 PM

Seriously?!?!?

my answer would be NO!!. Polo shirts are made of stretchier, more breathable material for casual comfort. It's a whole different level of comfort and formality. If one of my co-workers came into a meeting with a polo shirt and a tie on I would likely beat him with a file folder until the tie was removed. This also applies to golf shirts and rugby shirts, sweat pants with dress shoes, white sport socks with dress shoes, socks with sandals, and people still wearing ripped concert shirts and jeans in the 30's+.

Ties are for dress shirts and usually indicate some form of formality (usually business formal).
Polo and golf shirts are most recently used for casual Fridays or business casual (it's a step up for a t shirt).

**English Bloke** · 27th November 08, 07:46 PM

Originally Posted by Colin

... and rugby shirts, sweat pants with dress shoes, white sport socks with dress shoes, socks with sandals, and people still wearing ripped concert shirts and jeans in the 30's+.

Well, initially I'd say no;

but on the other hand, If you like the look?

I sometimes wear a tie with my rugby shirts, depends how drunk I am... I always wear white sporties with my patents (it's a look I really like) and Colin? When you say ripped concert shirts, do you mean ripped as in old and torn or ripped as in ripped off. I bought a lovely Led Zeppelin at Knebworth '79 Concert Shirt, in Istanbul a couple of years ago. I Doubt the shirt is an original though, being as it cost me a fiver and the one I bought AT the Knebworth Gig in '79 was about a tenner THEN. (sadly that one is very torn now... ) The replacement was also on sale with a number of other shirts of dubious authenticity which was an added clue.

Just to re-iterate. I don't think polo's and ties make good bed-fellows.

Nighthawk me ol' mate... I feel you may be taking the rise.

LOVE the Thread by the way.

**Carolina Kiltman** · 27th November 08, 07:54 PM

Generally I would say NO.
Then I'll add this. Once I was with a touring choir, and because of limited funds, and opportunities, the men wore white golf shirts with ties for the concert.
Of course we also wore robes, so the only thing that showed was the collar and tie. That way, the shirt could be washed out in the hotel room wash basin, hung up, and packed the next morning when we hit the road. I would agree only if it were such a situation.

**jordanjm** · 27th November 08, 02:33 PM

No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!

**Sionnach** · 27th November 08, 02:52 PM

I would have to vote no as well, unless you are trying to make a fashion statement, i which case I would leave the tie loose around the neck. Perhaps it could be gotten away with if you have a nice stiff collar and are wearing a waistcoat and jacket to hide the polo. My da sgillinean worth.

**Southern Breeze** · 27th November 08, 03:12 PM

No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No
No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No !!!!!!

**gilmore** · 27th November 08, 07:18 PM

Originally Posted by Sionnach

I would have to vote no as well, unless you are trying to make a fashion statement, i which case I would leave the tie loose around the neck. Perhaps it could be gotten away with if you have a nice stiff collar and are wearing a waistcoat and jacket to hide the polo. My da sgillinean worth.

Everything we wear is a fashion statement.

I find it ironic that so many people here go on at length that there are no tartan police, that a person can wear any tartan he choses regardless of whether he has no connection to it other than liking the groovy colors, but the wearing of a tie with a polo shirt is so vehemently condemned. I don't think I have ever done that, but can see myself doing so in the right situation. In fact, I may have become sufficiently inspired to wear one to our next kilt night here on Saturday.

**McMurdo** · 27th November 08, 07:25 PM

Originally Posted by gilmore

Everything we wear is a fashion statement.

I find it ironic that so many people here go on at length that there are no tartan police, that a person can wear any tartan he choses regardless of whether he has no connection to it other than liking the groovy colors, but the wearing of a tie with a polo shirt is so vehemently condemned. I don't think I have ever done that, but can see myself doing so in the right situation. In fact, I may have become sufficiently inspired to wear one to our next kilt night here on Saturday.

Perhaps you should re-read the original post, the question was not can you wear a tie with a polo shirt, heck you can wear a tie with T-Shirt, however the question was is it appropriate to wear a tie with a polo shirt. My answer is a resounding Negative. You may as well ask is it appropriate to wear a tuxedo print t-shirt to Burns Night, it is not nor should it ever be.

**gilmore** · 27th November 08, 09:43 PM

Originally Posted by McMurdo

Perhaps you should re-read the original post, the question was not can you wear a tie with a polo shirt, heck you can wear a tie with T-Shirt, however the question was is it appropriate to wear a tie with a polo shirt. My answer is a resounding Negative. You may as well ask is it appropriate to wear a tuxedo print t-shirt to Burns Night, it is not nor should it ever be.

Thanks for your concern with my literacy, but I read it correctly the first time.

I seem to remember guys wearing skinny ties, especially woven ones, with polo shirts in the '80's. And lots of big hair. Of course, that was the 1980's, a decade pilloried for it fashion excesses, not the 1880's or 1780's, decades whose fashions many here would like to emulate.