Spring’s Most Underrated Layering Essential? A Preppy Polo Sweater—9 Ways to Style the Staple

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Photographed by Phil Oh

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When it comes to knitwear, few things are better than a luxurious, lightweight polo sweater. A true year-round wardrobe staple, the notable knit has even earned the runway and street style seal-of-approval as of late. Take Miuccia Prada at her eponymous brands, Miu Miu and Prada, for example. The designer has reimagined the historically menswear-inspired piece into the ultimate cool-girl item—in sporty stripes, cool hues, and slightly oversized silhouettes perfect for layering underneath roomy trench coats and leather bomber jackets. The fashion crowd, naturally, has taken to the city streets in support of the hot new knitwear trend, styling their polished polos with everything from transitional outerwear options and great denim to sequin skirts and retro sneakers. And now, so can you.

Vogue’s Top 10 Polo Sweater Picks:

As for which polo to style out first? You can’t go wrong with a relaxed fit, but for something sharper, there are also seriously chic skin-tight styles from Guest in Residence and The Frankie Shop that can be easily tucked into pairs of luxe leather trousers or minimalist maxiskirts. Both are fabulously fit for any occasion on the docket, from nights on the town to your nine-to-five. Otherwise, look to Bally’s Peter-Pan-collar, color-blocked choice, which just hit stores. Speaking of color pops, Arch4’s wispy pale pink polo speaks to the spring season’s sweetest (and most stylish!) shades–think soft pastels, like buttery yellows and icy blues, to chartreuse and lilac.

Below, nine polo sweater outfits that prove why the preppy polo sweater is spring’s most underrated–and understatedly elegant–layering essential. (P.S.: Just this weekend at Khaite’s fall/winter 2025 show, the New York-based brand sent a slew of chic polos down its Park Avenue Armory catwalk, proving that the humble sweater is truly here to stay.

The Fashion Girl Favorite With a Sportswear-Inspired Jacket

Since putting her signature Miuccia Prada spin on the preppy polo sweater, fashion girls from all over simply can’t get enough of the notable knit. Outside the spring 2025 Miu Miu show in Paris last year, one showgoer sported hers underneath a lightweight, nylon windbreaker with just a pair of chic blue jeans and black leather belt. Recreate the look with Leset’s blue, beige, and brown striped polo and Levi’s tie-waist jeans.

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Leset

James striped mélange merino wool sweater

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Cos

technical hooded parka jacket

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Levi s

XL straight seamed jeans

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Déhanche

Louison belt

The Touch of Gray With a Lace-Trimmed Slip Skirt

In a sea of blacks and white, why not choose the next best neutral? A sleek slate grey. Here, style Éterne’s cashmere polo underneath Massimo Dutti’s rich chocolate brown suede blazer. The result offers up a contrast in textures that is pure luxury. Polish off the look with Stella McCartney’s sultry, lace-trimmed slip skirt and a pair of ladylike pumps from Jil Sander.

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Éterne

Brady cashmere polo sweater

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Massimo Dutti

suede leather blazer with pockets

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Stella McCartney

Iconic wrap-effect lace-trimmed satin skirt

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Jil Sander

leather pumps

The Retro Polo With a Slouchy Leather Bomber Jacket

All things are coming up retro this spring season, from sneakers to polos. Go all in on the trend with this burgundy striped beauty from none other than Miu Miu. Style it casually with Saint Laurent’s slouchy leather bomber jacket in a warm caramel color and Mango’s dark-wash denim. A pair of Adidas Tokyo trainers are the perfect off-duty note to end this look on.

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Saint Laurent

leather jacket

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Mango

high-rise wide-leg jeans

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Miu Miu

striped cashmere and silk cardigan

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Adidas

Tokyo sneakers

The Sporty Striped Style With a Shimmering Sequin Skirt

No one could deny sport’s influence on fashion this season, from the hooded windbreakers at Prada to Gucci’s basketball-esque piped tank tops. Below, merge the two worlds, starting with The Garment’s striped, oversized-fit polo and Zankov’s shimmering sequin skirt. We’re never not making the case for everyday glamour, after all. The Row’s India tote in ivory and a pair of knee-high boots from Reformation also deserve closet center stage.

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The Garment

Madison polo shirt

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Zankov

Matteo sequined pencil skirt

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Reformation

Remy knee boots

The Lesson in Layering With a Sleek Smoking Loafer

Class is officially in session–and the trending topic at hand? How to layer your peppy polo sweaters atop any other elevated wardrobe essential in your arsenal. Start with Massimo Dutti’s striped top, then, add in ME+EM’s two-toned, long-sleeve tee underneath for just a hint of color and contrast. Frame’s acid-wash, straight leg jeans and a pair of soft-toe loafers from The Row help earn this look’s straight-A score across the board.

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Massimo Dutti

striped knit sweater with polo collar

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ME+EM

Barely There trim sweater

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Frame

The Vertical jeans

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The Row

soft loafers

The Second-Skin Polo With a Pop of Python

Leave it to Gigi Hadid and her knitwear label, Guest in Residence, to produce the absolute perfect polo sweater that is not only extremely versatile, but stylish in any scenario, too. Here, tuck yours into Toteme’s minimalist maxiskirt skirt for a clean and effortlessly chic look. Finish off with Khaite’s python-effect pumps and Madewell’s stitched leather belt.

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Guest in Residence

long sleeve cashmere shrunken polo

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Toteme

low-waist straight skirt

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Madewell

essential skinny leather belt

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Khaite

Mia pumps

The Polo-Meets-Bodysuit With a Luxe Leather Pant

Crafted from a velvety soft cashmere, The Frankie Shop’s bodysuit works for day-to-night, no matter if you tuck it into a pair of jeans or luxe leather pants for an elegant evening out. As far as the latter is concerned, complete the sultry look with Nour Hammour’s stunning shearling coat in ivory and Miu Miu’s hot-off-the-runway retro sneakers. Yes, we wear our sneakers 24/7.

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The Frankie Shop

Solana wool, silk, and cashmere bodysuit

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Zara

leather straight-leg pants

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Miu Miu

Colorblock Runner sneakers

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Nour Hammour

Evita long coat

The Cool Color Block With a Sleek Suede Loafer

Your mid-winter wardrobe could always benefit from more color. Turn to Bally’s striped open-knit polo and a pair of tassel-adorned suede loafers from Black Suede Studio to brighten up bleak February days. Then, spring forward with The Frankie Shop’s classic khaki trench coat and J.Crew’s pleated, shin-grazing midiskirt.

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Bally

striped open-knit cotton cardigan

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The Frankie Shop

Astoria cutout lyocell-blend trench coat

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J.Crew

pleated wool-blend skirt

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Black Suede Studio

suede tassel loafers

The Pale Pink Pick With a Corduroy-Trimmed Barn Jacket

Two spring trends we can’t wait to try on for ourselves this season have to be wispy pastels and countryside chic barn jackets, as seen here with Arch4’s powder pink polo and Aligne’s corduroy-trimmed choice (the outerwear option is here to stay, what can we say?) Style the dynamic duo with Aritzia’s fan-favorite Effortless pants in off-white and loop in Anderson’s croc-effect belt for a textural touch.

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Arch4

Hamilton cashmere polo shirt

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Aritzia

Effortless pants

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Anderson s

croc-effect leather belt

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Aligne

Madi corduroy collar jacket

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Banana Republic

featherweight cashmere polo

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Cos

knitted silk polo shirt

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The Elder Statesman

Chaos striped cashmere polo sweater

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JW Anderson

House intarsia polo sweater

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Aligne

Emmet striped knitted polo

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Theory

striped cotton-blend shirt

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Bally

cashmere and silk-blend polo sweater

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Alex Mill

Jackie polo

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Cos

relaxed striped long-sleeved polo shirt

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Damson Madder

Remie rugby shirt

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Frame

shrunken cashmere cardi

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Madewell

half-zip Johnny-collar polo

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Loulou de Saison

Homere cashmere sweater

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Massimo Dutti

short-sleeve knit sweater

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Allude

wool and cashmere-blend polo sweater

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Everlane

Mariner rugby top

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Róhe

merino wool and cashmere-blend polo sweater

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Zankov

Ryan wool polo top