As we’ve seen across fashion weeks and celebrity street style, the humble polo shirt is staging a full-blown comeback — ready to replace tank tops as one of the most influential wardrobe staples of 2024. When Miuccia Prada put the preppy polo front and centre in Miu Miu’s Spring/Summer 2024 collection, the fashion world took note and trends began to shift away from minimalist tank tops toward more structured, collegiate-inspired looks.
The shift is rooted in a broader revival of preppy aesthetics from the 1990s and early 2000s, moving beyond Paris Hilton’s flashier era and into an Ivy League-meets-street style vibe. On runways from Paris to Milan, models showcased polo shirts paired with everything from baggy shorts and blazers to sheer skirts and tailored coats — demonstrating just how versatile this piece has become.
This trend’s traction isn’t limited to fashion shows. Celebrities like Hailey Bieber, Rihanna, and Taylor Swift have all been spotted embracing the polo over basics like ribbed tees or tank tops, helping signal the shirt’s broad appeal to mainstream audiences.
For those in modeling or considering a career in fashion, trend awareness is key. If you’re scouted by a model agency or working with industry pros, understanding how staples like the polo evolve season to season can help you style shoots and runway looks with effortless yet current flair. Likewise, exploring different silhouettes — from classic cotton piqués to chunky knit and textured interpretations — offers a chance to make the trend your own.
Whether worn sleekly under a blazer for a refined shoot or styled casually with denim for street casting, the polo shirt’s resurgence shows how timeless pieces can be reinvented year after year. And as tank tops recede slightly from the trend spotlight, this classic collared shirt is poised to dominate wardrobes throughout 2024 and beyond.
