Pseudo-statistically speaking, the polo shirt is one of the wardrobe staples least likely to get menswear types hot under the collar. It’s a quiet background player, safe and reliable, but rarely anything to get excited about.

Well, it turns out that the polo hasn’t been quietly getting along with things at all: it was transforming itself for a triumphant return. So, forget plain piques and your slogan stag do numbers, the polo shirt’s done some serious shape shifting and now can’t wait to infiltrate every aspect of your wardrobe. Again.

“The polo shirt has become shorthand for lazy, unthinking style in recent years,” says Paul Higgins, a menswear stylist who has worked with brands like Reiss, Diesel and Aquascutum. “Now though, more considered design options mean that wearing a polo shirt is no longer an unimaginative sartorial choice.”

Here are seven ways to wear a polo shirt without inducing sartorial narcolepsy.

Lose The Buttons

Unless you’re in some indie tribute band, the collar on your polo shirt should be open by default. Confusingly, the open collar polo shirt isn’t a styling move, it’s fashion speak for a design with no buttons at its collar at all. The beauty of this simple modification is that the subtraction of those fastening contraptions stop the polo shirt from emitting stag party vibes. What you’re left with is a hefty dose of Riviera style.

Pair an open collar polo shirt with chinos and loafers and you’re living your best old money Jetsetter life. Stick one on with light wash jeans and high-tops and you’re riffing on normcore with the subtlest nod to club menswear.

To keep things looking suitably sharp when wearing, look for open collar designs with a fit that’s on the fitted side, mind. The collar will sag if your polo shirt’s packing too much fabric.

Mix And Match With A Suit

In the age of athleisure, the poor old suit’s taken a bit of a battering in the popularity stakes. But a polo shirt is just the thing to give tailoring a new lick of metaphorical paint.