Polo-shirt dresses are the unexpected trend in Copenhagen, and they’re perfect for late summer

At this point in summer, you’ve probably mined the depths of every possible dress you can think of, from liquid slips to lace to linen (not forgetting prairie dresses, puff-sleeved dresses and polka-dot dresses). There might be one left, however; a style that will keep you in a one-piece until autumn – or maybe even into autumn: the polo-shirt dress.

Like the item of clothing from which it originates, the polo-shirt dress is practical-first, although you can definitely make it dressier if you so desire. Somewhere between a polo shirt and a shirt dress, it makes for a kind of casual that’s grown-up and quietly glamorous.

At Copenhagen Fashion Week, Nana Asamoah chose a tomato polo-shirt dress for her first day of events around the city. While bold enough to compete with the capital’s exuberant looks, the Sézane dress looked more comfortable than most with roomy sleeves, plus a relaxed silhouette (only its thigh-high silhouette might have stopped her from hopping on two wheels between appointments). She wore it with minimal heeled flip-flops, but it’s the kind of cut that you could pair with the flat version (or, indeed, loafers, ballet flats or boat shoes; trainers might be too on the nose for a polo-shirt dress).

“It felt incredibly comfortable to wear. Although it’s a short dress, the fabric has a substantial weight to it, which gives it great structure,” Asamoah told Harper’s Bazaar, adding that she already has plans for how to wear it post-summer. “As we move into autumn, I’d style it with tailored trousers or knee-high boots, finished with a long, structured coat. It’s such a versatile piece that can easily transition between seasons.”

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Many trends that take a sideways look at an archetype or aesthetic – in this case ‘preppy’ – come from the mind of Miuccia Prada. The polo-shirt dress is no exception, with both of her labels offering versions of the garment (Miu Miu’s is the sportier, with a bonded cotton piqué fabrication and tennis-dress inspo; Prada’s is also piqué but comprises variegated stripes on a canary yellow background, bringing retro flavour). Paloma Wool’s dress, a subtle blue-grey and gently flaring to finish at the ankle, is the simple yet effective work piece you’ve spent all summer looking for.

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Loewe spring/summer 2026

To know how to style the polo-shirt dress so the overall look isn’t too PE, take inspiration from the polo shirt itself. Jalil Johnson, the writer behind the Substack Considered Yourself Cultured, has been doubling up his polos in contrast shades all summer. You could take a similar approach with your polo-shirt dress, layering another polo underneath so its collar pops out to say hello, as well as its cuffs if you roll the outer sleeves just so. In September, you can bring a ‘back-to-school’ energy to these styles, belting a cardigan on top, adding a turtleneck underneath or draping a cable-knit jumper around your shoulders (the theme is ‘elegant librarian’).

Comfortable and capable of being sporty or scholarly, the polo-shirt dress might be a favourite yet. Below, the nine best to buy now:

Prada Bayadere stripe piqué mini-dressALIGNE Natty jersey mini dress

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Polo Ralph Lauren sleeveless polo shirt dressBurberry polo shirt dressMango knitted dress with polo neckTory Burch striped pleated polo dressThe Attico logo-embroidered cotton-piqué mini dressHolland Cooper polo dressGant polo dress

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