The Perfect Piece: Knit Polo
Building your uniform with a single best item.
The Perfect Piece series is built around a simple method: instead of overbuying different versions of the same thing, find the one perfect piece—an essential approach to uniform dressing. The goal is to simplify your wardrobe to only the things you truly love and wear.
Earlier this year, inspired by the overwhelming state of my closet, I decided I wanted to pare back and really find the one perfect piece for each category. Instead of accumulating multiple versions of a similar item I wanted own the one perfect version and have less a lot less in my closet. So often we buy something, wear it a few times and then realize a flaw - the silhouette doesn’t fit correctly, the fabric itches or looks sloppy, a detail doesn’t lay right, etc. So we buy another similar item and the same thing happens again. Finding a “perfect” one takes some digging and restraint, but once you find it will be a piece you can rely on repeatedly.
I am kicking this series of with knit polos because I wear them so much and right now in the market you could scroll for days to find the perfect ones. I’ve narrowed it down to three perfect ones that tick all the boxes in my lifestyle. While polos, and some other categories for me, require more than one, most items in this series will just include one piece. If I were talking about something like a trench coat or a shirt dress, I’d just need one. But I wear polos for basically all occasions and need a few options that meet my needs.
The Relaxed Fit, Thin Knit Polo
This is the easy, effortless polo. My overall top pick.
I had an old Toteme polo I bought several years ago, and I wore it nonstop (see below). It was starting to look a little sad, and this Jenni Kayne one replaced it perfectly. I love the rich, dark shade of navy. The fabric is 100% soft merino wool, but super thin, so hangs really nicely. It works for work, a dinner out, or relaxed on the weekend with casual pants.
