How to Style a Polo Dress: Fabrics, Shoes and Layers

A polo dress is one of the designer dresses cut with the collar and buttoned placket of a polo shirt, usually in knit, pique and jersey fabrics, at any length from mini to ankle. It is the most relaxed way to look put together. To style a polo dress, let the length decide the shoe, mark the waist with a belt if the skirt is full, and layer with a knit and a trench in cooler months. The new merino version from Zimmermann at Coveti shows how far the shape can travel.

By Coveti Editorial. How we research and write: our editorial and AI policy.

That dress is the Zimmermann Clash Merino Lace Polo Dress in ivory, a long sleeved, ankle length dress in soft merino wool with a classic collar, a centre front button placket and scalloped lace trim throughout. The skirt falls to a gentle flare, it is a slip on style, and the house describes a close fit bodice that relaxes through the skirt. It is 100% wool and Zimmermann says it fits true to size. For the shoes that finish an evening version, our sibling guide on how to wear platform heels covers hems and straps in detail.

Key facts

• A polo dress takes the collar and button placket of a polo shirt and extends the body into a dress.
• Classic polo shirts are made in cotton pique; polo dresses also come in fine knits, rib knits, merino and jersey.
• Short polo dresses read sporty; midi and ankle lengths read polished and suit evenings.
• The Zimmermann Clash Merino Lace Polo Dress is 100% wool, ankle length, with a classic collar, a button placket and scalloped lace trim.
• Zimmermann sizes 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 correspond to UK 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16, and US 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12.

What is a polo dress?

A polo dress is a dress built on the polo shirt: a soft turned down collar, a short buttoned placket at the centre front and a knitted body that continues past the hips into a skirt. The shirt came from sport, which is why the dress carries an easy, outdoor ease even when it is cut long and made in fine wool.

The shape has two halves worth looking at. Above the waist, the collar and placket give structure around the face, and the placket lets you choose how open the neck sits. Below, the skirt can be straight, flared and pleated, and it is the skirt that most changes the mood of the dress. A straight, short polo dress is tennis club; a long flared one with lace is closer to a summer evening in the country.

What fabric is best for a polo dress?

The best fabric depends on season and occasion: pique for warm days and a sporty look, merino and fine knit for year round polish, jersey for travel and ease. The table compares them.

Merino is the most adaptable of the four. The Clash dress uses it with lace edging, which softens the sporting origin and moves the dress toward evening. For a striped knit in the same spirit, the Mouline Rib Polo is a lightweight viscose knit with a classic collar, centre front button detailing, long fitted sleeves and mouline stripes, ribbed throughout. Worn with a long knit skirt it builds a polo dress silhouette in two pieces. Our guide on how to wear a knit dress covers knit fit in more depth.

What length polo dress should you choose?

Choose the length by where you will wear it: mini and knee lengths for daytime and warm weather, midi for the office and lunch, ankle length for evenings, travel and cooler days. The longer the dress, the more formal it looks, because the collar stops reading as sportswear once the skirt reaches the ankle.

• Mini. Sporty and young. Keep shoes flat and the rest minimal.
• Knee length. The classic polo dress. Pair with loafers, low boots and flat sandals.
• Midi. The most practical length for work, with a belt to give the waist some shape.
• Ankle length. The most formal. A long polo dress in merino and lace works from a long lunch into dinner with a change of shoes.

If you are petite, look for petite sizing before you commit to an ankle length. Zimmermann offers the Clash Merino Lace Polo Dress in size 0P, which the house says suits clients under 160cm. Our Zimmermann size guide sets out the measurements.

What shoes do you wear with a polo dress?

Wear flat shoes with short polo dresses and a choice of boots, mules and heels with long ones, adjusting by season. The collar is the dress’s anchor; the shoe sets the formality. The table sets out a full year.

From this drop, the Alchemy Low Boot 75 in dark olive is the autumn answer: a pointed toe, a folded suede shaft and a 75mm heel in calf leather and calf suede. Dark olive with ivory merino is a soft, earthy pairing. For spring and summer, the Idle Mule is a flat satin mule with a squared toe and a polished gold charm chain, which gives a long dress a polished finish without height. For evening, the Idle Platform 95 adds a 95mm sculptural platform heel and a buckled ankle strap in the same satin.

Should you belt a polo dress?

Belt a polo dress when the skirt is fuller than the bodice and you want a clear waist; leave it unbelted when the dress is straight and you want the long, clean line of the knit. A belt also changes a polo dress from day to evening faster than any other piece.

The Foam Asymmetric Leather Belt is soft nappa leather shaped into a sculptural wrap silhouette that wraps around the waist and finishes with a voluminous self tie bow, so the fit adjusts to you. On a dress with a close fitting bodice and a flared skirt, like the Clash polo dress, it sits at the narrowest point and makes the flare look deliberate. Tie the bow slightly off centre so it does not compete with the placket. For more belt shapes and widths, see our guide to designer belts for women.

How do you layer a polo dress in cold weather?

Layer a polo dress with a knit over the shoulders, then a coat that is longer than the dress, so the hem never peeks out unevenly below the coat. Because the collar sits close to the neck, avoid layering a second collar on top; round necks and open lapels work best.

1. Start with the dress and a fine pair of tights.
2. Add a knit. The Clash Drawstring Sweater in ivory is a heavyweight cotton blend knit with cotton drill panels, a round neckline, buttoned shoulder tabs and cuffs and an adjustable hem with a rope drawcord. Drape it over the shoulders by day; for more warmth, wear it on top and cinch the drawcord so it sits as a short layer over the skirt.
3. Add a coat. The Clash Drill Trenchcoat is a full length cotton drill trench with a classic collar, double breasted button closure, a removable waist belt and belted sleeve cuffs, and it covers a long dress well. Our sibling guide on how to style a trench coat explains how to tie the belt.
4. Finish with low boots and a scarf in a colour from the coat.

What colours work best for a polo dress?

Ivory, navy, black and stripes work best, because the polo shape comes from sport and these are the colours the eye already links with it. Ivory is the most refined: it shows off lace and texture and pairs with camel, olive and tan accessories. Navy and black are the easiest for work and travel. Stripes keep the sporting spirit and look best on shorter lengths and on separates. With a pale dress, choose a darker shoe and belt to give the outfit an outline; with a dark dress, let gold jewellery carry the light.

Can you wear a polo dress to work?

Yes. A polo dress at midi and ankle length is one of the most comfortable things to wear to an office, because a knit moves with you, the collar frames the face on video calls, and the placket can be fastened to the top for meetings. Choose a solid colour, keep jewellery small, add a belt for shape and wear low boots and flat mules. Avoid very short versions and very sporty pique for formal workplaces. For more of the house’s knits, read our guide to Zimmermann knitwear and coats, and for ivory and white pieces, the Zimmermann white dress guide.

The pieces at a glance

How we measured: prices are read from the Coveti catalogue and compositions from the house composition on each Zimmermann product page. Sizes are the sizes Zimmermann showed in stock on 6 November 2026, given in UK sizes (Zimmermann 0 is a UK 8) and in EU sizes for shoes. Stock moves daily, so the product page is the final word.

Polo dresses around the world

United States. Coveti prices every piece in US dollars. Zimmermann runs boutiques on Madison Avenue, in the Meatpacking District and in SoHo in New York.

United Kingdom. Coveti lists every piece in UK sizes. In London the house has boutiques on Bruton Street and Sloane Street.

Europe. In Paris Zimmermann sells from rue François 1er, the Faubourg Saint-Honoré and Galeries Lafayette. Sizes convert directly: a UK 10 is an EU 36.

Gulf. The first Middle East boutique opened at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai in 2024, followed by Atlantis The Royal, The Galleria Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi, Kingdom Centre in Riyadh, The Avenues in Kuwait and Marassi Galleria in Bahrain. Our Zimmermann guide for the UAE and Saudi Arabia covers the region.

Boutique locations are from the house and trade press, checked October 2026. Shipping terms are in the Coveti logistics and returns protocol.

Frequently asked questions

What is a polo dress?

A polo dress is a dress with the collar and short buttoned placket of a polo shirt, with the knitted body extended into a skirt. It comes in lengths from mini to ankle.

What shoes go with a polo dress?

Flat shoes such as trainers, loafers and sandals suit short polo dresses. Long polo dresses also work with low ankle boots, flat mules and, for evening, platform heels with an ankle strap.

Can you wear a polo dress in winter?

Yes, in merino wool and heavier knits. Add opaque tights, low boots, a knit over the shoulders and a coat that is longer than the dress.

Should you wear a belt with a polo dress?

Belt it when the skirt is fuller than the bodice and you want a defined waist. Leave a straight polo dress unbelted for a long, clean line.

What is the Zimmermann Clash Merino Lace Polo Dress made of?

It is 100% wool, in a soft merino with scalloped lace trim throughout. It has a classic collar, a centre front button placket and an ankle length skirt with a gentle flare.

Is a polo dress appropriate for the office?

A midi and ankle length polo dress in a solid colour works well in most offices. Fasten the placket for meetings and keep jewellery small.

Curated by the Coveti Studio.