Everything is easier in the summer.

People are happier and generally nicer, weekends become cottage trips, and most importantly, getting dressed in the morning is a breeze.

A staple in most guys’ wardrobes at this time of year is the polo shirt. It’s light and simple, pulls on, and (usually) only has two buttons to worry about.

Easy as the polo is to put on, picking the right one for the right look can be a challenge. There’s a fine line when it comes to wearing a polo; between looking like you auditioned for a spot on Jersey Shore and looking like a dignified gentleman. Here are some suggestions to get you ready to get ready for warmer weather.

Keep it simple

The polo works best as a simple staple. Wild patterns and colours tend to not translate well into polo form. For summer, try to stick with vivid colours in lighter shades: lavender (pictured: Lightweight Vintage Polo by J.Crew), moss-green, and cream, for example. If you want to go with a darker, bolder colour, navy is a failsafe. Avoid chemical colours like neon green or pink.

When it comes to stripes, again, simplicity is key. Too many differently coloured stripes can start to look busy and overwhelming. A good two-tone combination, with the stripes having just enough colour to stand out against the base colour of the shirt can be just as eye-catching.

The Shirt Doesn’t Make The Outfit

Throwing a polo on with jeans and sneakers is fine, but the nice thing about a polo’s simplicity is the creative freedom that it can allow throughout the rest of your outfit. By going with one of the aforementioned styles, you can try some different things in regards to pants/shorts. A light-yellow polo with a pair of seersucker shorts, or a cream shirt with mint-green chinos, for example, can add some summer colour and originality.

Keep The Collar Down

You’d think this would be common knowledge by now, but you can still see people on the streets of Toronto with their collars up, or “popped” as it’s more commonly known. It’s a collar, not a neck guard, so keep it right where gravity wants it to be: down and smart-casual looking.

Agree, Disagree and Share

At the end of the day, style is personal. If you like wearing that neon pink polo with the collar popped, you’re going to do it regardless of what we say. All we ask is that you leave a comment below or tweet at us about how you like to wear your polo.