You're at a summer barbecue, sporting what you thought was a stylish polo. But with every reach for a burger, a sliver of midriff makes an unwelcome appearance. Or maybe you're rocking a "relaxed fit" that hangs off your frame, making you feel less like a fashion icon and more like a lost kid in his dad’s clothes.
If you're tall and slim, finding a polo that actually fits can feel like an impossible mission. Don't despair, though, because we’re revealing some tips on finding polo shirts for tall men that don’t just fit, but actually look good on your physique. No more midriff malfunctions for you.
SEVEN THINGS ALL TALL POLOS MUST HAVE
Ditch the polo-induced fashion fails by finding ones with these seven things:
THING #1: 2-3" EXTRA LENGTH
The first rule of polo club for tall guys? It’s all about the length. Forget those standard polos that barely graze your belt buckle. Polos just hitting the belt only works for short guys. They look plain silly on tall guys with a long torso and/or lanky legs.
So you need a polo with some serious length - ideally, it should hit around mid to lower fly. This extra length means your polo stays tucked in, even when you're reaching for that top shelf item or throwing a frisbee. 2-3" extra should do the trick. That means no more midriff reveals or constant readjusting. Plus, a longer length creates a more balanced and elongated silhouette, keeping your body in proportion and avoiding that awkward "cropped" look.
THING #2: SLIM FITTING UPPER TORSO
Let’s face it, baggy polos are not doing you any favours. They drown your frame, making you look even slimmer than you are. And let's not even talk about the dreaded "batwing" effect under the arms. Instead, go for a polo with a fitted chest, shoulders, and sleeves. This will create a clean, streamlined silhouette that accentuates your natural build without feeling restrictive.
Remember, "slim fitting" doesn't mean skin-tight. You should still be able to move freely and comfortably. Do the hug test on as many friends as possible. Hugs should feel lovely on your polo as well as on your friends. And if you don't have any friends around? Hug a car instead. Your polo shouldn't stop you from reaching both sides of the hood / bonnet.
Look for polos with a bit of stretch in the fabric, like those made with 100% premium cotton or performance materials. These fabrics will hug your body in all the right places without feeling constricting. Freedom without swimming in fabric!
THING #3: ROOMY WAIST
Tall skinny ectomorphs are sometimes cursed with belly fat – the only place they ever put on weight. And even the slimmest among them might experience a bit of a waistline expansion at some point in life. Whether it's a few extra pounds from holiday indulgence, a newfound love for craft beer, or the inevitable "dad bod" that comes with fatherhood, a little extra room in the waist is never a bad thing.
Look for polos that offer a slightly relaxed fit through the midsection. This will provide comfort and flexibility so that you don't feel restricted or self-conscious. What’s more, a roomier waistline can actually create a more balanced look for tall, slim guys, preventing your upper body from looking disproportionately small.
THING #4: LONGER, FITTED SLEEVES
Polo sleeves that are too short and ride up make your gangly arms look even ganglier. The ideal polo sleeves are around 1"-2" longer than regular polos, comfortably hitting your mid bicep, or a little lower. That gives balance to your arms just like the right body length gives balance to your legs and upper torso.
You don't want all the excess fabric flapping around either. Flags are supposed to flap, not your sleeves. Look for ribbed polo sleeves (pretty much standard on pique polos, unlike jersey polos) that lightly grip your upper arm. Ribbed sleeves are slightly narrower and maintain their shape much easier. And ribbed sleeves don't curl like ribbed collars, trust us. Great fitting sleeves give your arms a fuller appearance, no matter how skinny they are.
Assuming you're buying online and can't try the polo on, measure the sleeve opening of your best fitting polo. How? Lay the polo sleeve flat on a table, and measure from one side to the other. Compare that with the size chart on the polo product page. If the size chart doesn't mention the sleeve opening, then guestimate from the models' arms in the product photos.
THING #5: STAY-FLAT REINFORCED COLLARS
Take it from us: Never underestimate the power of a crisp collar. And particularly for us tall, slim guys. Ribbed collars are rubbish. A floppy, curled-up ribbed collar draws attention to an already elongated neck and creates a sloppy, unkempt look.
Stay-flat collars, on the other hand, instantly add polish to your look, creating a more balanced and proportional appearance. It also eliminates the need for constant fidgeting and adjusting, so you can focus on looking and feeling your best. You'll be in boss mode whenever you're wearing one.
Also, reinforced collars have an extra layer of interlining and stitching that helps them maintain their shape, even after multiple washes and wears.
You get the drift. Look for stay-flat collars. You'll generally find them at higher quality brands, made of the same pique material as the body of the polo.
THING #6: PRESHRUNK PIQUE FABRIC
There’s nothing worse than finding the perfect polo, only to have it shrink to doll-size proportions after the first wash. Preshrunk pique fabric undergoes a process during manufacturing where it's exposed to heat and moisture to induce initial shrinkage. This means that the majority of the potential shrinkage has already happened before you even purchase the polo. As a result, you can confidently wash and dry your polo without worrying about it dramatically shrinking in size, ensuring a consistently perfect fit for the long haul.
Bonus: Pique fabric holds its shape well, resisting wrinkles and maintaining a crisp, polished look even after a long day. So you can look your best from morning coffee to after-work dinner, without worrying about your polo looking a wrinkly mess. Pique is an iron's best mate too. No fighting at the ironing board to get those creases out.
THING #7: MINIMAL BRANDING
As a taller chap, you naturally attract attention. No need to amplify it with a polo sporting a big logo, or the brand's name spread out in loud text all across the chest. Choose something a bit more subtle – perhaps a smaller emblem or a brandless option altogether. This way, your polo works just as well for a casual get-together as it does for a day at the office.
IN A NUTSHELL
Finding the perfect polo shouldn't be a struggle. With these must-haves in your back pocket, you're well on your way to banishing ill-fitting shirts and building a wardrobe that honours your height and slim build.
Remember, the ideal polo shirts for tall guys combine 7 things:
- 2-3" longer body lengths
- a slim-fitting upper torso
- a comfortable waist
- fitted ribbed sleeves that hit mid-bicep
- a pique (self-fabric) collar that stays put
- preshrunk fabric
- minimal branding
Belittle them at your peril.
Ready to switch into boss mode? Explore the Just Tall polo collection (or do compare us with other awesome sites like americantall.com and 2tall.com) and discover the confidence that comes with clothes designed just for tall skinny, athletic and average guys like you.
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