The evening outfit: a black knitted polo and what to wear with it

A black knitted polo, dark pleated trousers, leather boots and a steel-bracelet watch make an evening outfit that needs no jacket. The polo carries the pattern, so everything else stays plain.

The top: our 3D Optical polo in Black

Start with the 3D Optical Geometric Knit Polo Shirt. It is knitted in 100% combed cotton, a 2/30 yarn at 220 to 230 GSM, and worked in a 3D cube jacquard. The cubes catch the light and cast small shadows, so a plain black shirt reads as textured from across a table.

We cut it in a structured fit, and the product page describes the deeper tones as well suited to evening wear. Black is the colour to wear after dark. Mint Green is the lighter option for a summer dinner outdoors. The polo is designed in London and made in our Colombo workshop, and it comes in sizes S to XL. Black is currently stocked from S to L, so check the size you need on the page.

Wear it with the top button done up if the room is dressy, and undone if it is a bar. Tuck it in once you add a belt. The structured shape holds either way.

The jacquard is the reason the rest of the outfit stays simple. A pattern this strong does not need a second one beside it. Avoid checked trousers, striped socks that show, or a patterned jacket. Let the cubes do the talking and keep every other piece in one family of dark tones.

Trousers

Go dark and give the legs some shape. Percival lists tailored, pleated and wide-leg trousers, including double-pleated and pleated-leg styles in navy and black. A pair like that works with this polo. Navy sits close enough to black to look deliberate, and the pleats stop the outfit looking flat.

Oliver Spencer sells a wide-leg pleated trouser in flannel. In a charcoal or dark tone, a cut like that suits a knit with a busy surface, because the trouser stays quiet.

Leave a small gap between the hem and the shoe. A trouser that breaks heavily over the boot hides the line you are trying to show. A slight taper from knee to ankle keeps the pleats from reading as baggy.

Shoes

Crockett & Jones says each pair takes up to eight weeks and over 200 operations to make, and its men's collection runs from loafers and Oxfords to Chelsea boots. A black or dark brown Chelsea boot or a plain loafer pairs well with the polo. Keep the leather smooth and the sole slim.

If you want something with more weight, Grenson lists the Archie, a chunky Gibson brogue. It works with wider trousers, where a slim shoe would look small.

Watch or accessory

Tissot sells the PRX, including a 41 mm quartz chronograph. A steel case on a bracelet next to a black knit looks clean. We would choose the steel bracelet over a leather strap, because the strap repeats the shoes.

Seiko lists its Prospex collection on its UK site, which suits a more sporty wrist. Either way, wear one watch and nothing else on the wrists.

If you carry a bag, choose leather in the same colour as your shoes. A belt in that leather ties the lower half together.

When to wear it

• Dinner at a restaurant, with the trousers and boots above.
• Drinks or a gig, with the polo untucked and a dark overshirt on top.
• A work event that finishes late, with a blazer over the polo in place of a shirt and tie.

The pairings follow our guide on what to wear with a knitted polo. To compare other pieces, see the men's knitted polo shirts. If you are unsure of your size, our measuring guide shows how we take measurements.

How to care for the knit

Follow the care label inside the garment.

FAQ

Can you wear a knitted polo in the evening?

Yes. Choose a dark colour and a structured fit, then pair it with tailored trousers and leather shoes. That is how this outfit is built.

Should I tuck in a knitted polo?

Tuck it in with a belt for a dressier room. Leave it out for a casual night. The structured fit works both ways.

Which colour should I buy for an evening out?

Black. Mint Green suits daytime and summer evenings.

Do these brands work with Legacy London?

We have no partnership with any brand named here, and none of them has endorsed this guide. They are pieces that sit well with the polo.