Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

I am wearing a white polo shirt. I have never felt so frumpy in my life.

139 replies

allhailtheaubergine · 20/06/2011 10:19

I am sure I have seen women look nice in polo shirts of all colours. Okay, not stunningly glam, but perfectly fine for a normal day.

I look fucking horrendous.

Are there polo shirt do's and don'ts?

Is there any way to rescue the situation, or shall I shove it to the back of the wardrobe and Never Speak Of It Again?

OP posts:
OP posts:
thaigreencurry · 20/06/2011 10:22

Hmm the problem with white polo shirts is they remind me of little boys in primary school. I've seen women look okay in polo shirts in the Joules catalogue but it is a very hard look to carry off. I couldn't wear one they are too boxy and would make me look too up and down. I need to emphasise my curves even though I'm more curvy (fat) than I would like to be right now.

ElectricSoftParade · 20/06/2011 10:22

I understand what you mean. Personally I look like a sack of tatties if I wear polo shirts or round neck tees.

Don't even put it to the back of the wardrobe, get rid! You do not need reminding of this (small) mistake Smile

thaigreencurry · 20/06/2011 10:23

Yes she looks good. So I suppose the way to go is great figure and a skin tight polo shirt, not very forgiving if you can pinch more than an inch!

polyhymnia · 20/06/2011 10:25

I hate them - remind me of the white Aertex gym shirts we had to wear at school - looked awful on my large bust then, look awful, and frumpy, now.

AchtungBaby · 20/06/2011 10:25

Grin Oh allhailtheaubergine, take it off at once!

Unless you're in public.

FoundWanting · 20/06/2011 10:27

Get rid of it immediately.

I have a beautiful polo-shirt shape linen top in navy. Beautifully made and shaped. Aha! I thought, with taupe 7/8 trousers, my summer smart-casual solution.

I looked, and felt, like a man. A man smuggling a bolster under his shirt. Sad

bigbadbarry · 20/06/2011 10:27

I think they have that unfortunate school-uniform thing, and they don't even feel nice. Save it for gardening :)

madammecholet · 20/06/2011 10:28

Do you only own polo shirts, is it your only wardrobe option? if so, FGS put on a huge lovely billowy scarf wrapped around a few times, or round once and left to dangle and try and hide the fact you are wearing a polo...Grin

Agree tight with a polo pony can work but V V Sloany and out of date...

ASecretLemonadeDrinker · 20/06/2011 10:28

I think the only way to look good in one is to be very very slim and it be very fitted. THey are very hard to pull off, I wear one for work and I look awful, ttruely awful. I lived in them in my late teens, but I just do not suit them.

AnyFucker · 20/06/2011 10:30

I wear a white polo shirt for work too (and navy trousers)

Both of those items are totally spoilt for me Smile

madammecholet · 20/06/2011 10:34

do you look this happy tho:

happy polo

GetOrf · 20/06/2011 10:43

I t hink it depends on what it is made of.

If it is aertex I think that is a partic unflattering fabric.

If it is just strecthy cotton and quite fitted it can look lovely. I have one from American Eagle and wear it all the time, it looks great.

Don't buy a polo shirt from Joules unless you are 55 and have completely given up.

lljkk · 20/06/2011 10:47

I have a tailored-style white polo shirt, Sharp v-neck & feminine collar, I know it suits me, but DC school ones would not.

TrilllianAstra · 20/06/2011 10:48

I can't wear polo shirts either. Think you need the right shape. Or the right attitude. Or the right something that I don't have.

NorksAreMessy · 20/06/2011 10:49

Never ever ever a flattering look, sorry.

My DH wears them as lolling about clothes, and that is nearly OK as he would look daft in a tee shirt, but on a girl, just nasty.

I think they fall into the category of 'sportswear for non sporting activities' which is a style sin IMHO.

Makes good cleaning cloths?

allhailtheaubergine · 20/06/2011 10:52

Yes, M cholet! That's exactly what I look like.

Having spent slightly longer than is healthy googling pictures of women in polo shirts I have to agree that one must have an awesome figure and they must be tight.

My loose white airtex monstrosity is the most revolting thing I have ever worn. Even the sleeve length makes my arms look like I'm reserve on the 4th form hockey team.

I bought a black one at the same time. I fear the same will apply to that. They are too ugly even to wear around the house. I shall give them away.

OP posts:
whyme2 · 20/06/2011 10:57

I think anyone with norks is doing themselves a disservice by wearing them.

I too spent a good part of my teenage years wearing polo shirts. Never again.

Fimbo · 20/06/2011 11:03

Oh god polo shirts are awful. And as for those joules numbers, just don't get me started.

missmiss · 20/06/2011 11:21

Jack Wills/Aubin & Wills do nice fitted ones. I think they have to be tight to look good.

Fimbo · 20/06/2011 11:23

eek Jack Wills you need to be about 15.

SayItLoud · 20/06/2011 11:28

Oh, I so agree - I spent a good amount of time in them in my teens and twenties (horsey girl), but have just had a super-short (normally quite feminine!) cropped haircut and tried one on recently which immediately turned me into a man. To be avoided from now on!

Stillchuckingit · 20/06/2011 11:29

Disagree with those who say "never ever" about any item of clothing! People come in all different shapes and sizes in different areas ...

I have large norks but I'm quite thin/nobbly in the neck area and I don't have the best posture in the world. Sorry, but I need a collar and a well-cut polo shirt, with a good deep v, in a stretchy, close fitting (but not obscenely so) in a good quality fabric is a godsend.

However, only wear 3/4 or full length sleeves (NEVER short - as sleeves end just where norks are, thus emphasising them - not a good look)

Oh and definitely ditch the aertex or pima cotton or whatever it is called. Shape must be fitted not boxy.

And try to avoid white if you are big on top. As someone else said on here, you will look like a baker.

Dh looks lovely in short sleeved variety though...

whyme2 · 20/06/2011 11:32

Yes have to say my dh looks rather dashing in a polo shirt too.

IntergalacticHussy · 20/06/2011 11:32

not good on anyone with norks or a post kids tummy. i don't think i've ever looked good in a polo shirt.

Swipe left for the next trending thread