What is the recommended care method for this material blend (65% polyurethane, 13% nylon, 10% merino wool, etc.)? Is it dry clean only or machine washable?

We recommend dry cleaning for this blend due to the high polyurethane content and the presence of merino wool. While machine washing on a gentle cold cycle (30°C max) with a delicates bag might be possible, the safest method is professional dry cleaning to avoid damaging the synthetic fibers or causing the wool to felt.

How realistic is the trompe-l'oeil effect in person? Does it convincingly look like a layered shirt and tie, or is the pattern more obvious as just a print?

The trompe-l'oeil effect is designed to convincingly mimic a layered look from a distance, using knit construction rather than a simple print. The product description states it creates a 'layered look' via 'trompe-l'oeil knit on a checkered shirt.' According to fashion experts, trompe-l'oeil pieces often appear as genuine layers from afar but reveal the illusion upon closer inspection.

With polyurethane as the primary material (65%), does the fabric feel plastic-like or does the merino wool content (10%) give it a softer, more natural hand feel?

The 65% polyurethane content gives the fabric a somewhat synthetic, smooth texture, but the inclusion of 10% merino wool and other fibers softens the hand feel considerably. While it won't feel like pure natural wool, the blend balances durability with a more comfortable touch than a fully plastic-like material.

How does the knit hold up to repeated wear and stretching? Given the polyurethane content, is there concern for pilling or loss of shape over time?

The high synthetic content (65% polyurethane, 13% nylon, 10% polyester) makes this knit very resistant to pilling and stretching out of shape compared to pure wool. However, long-term shape retention will depend on proper care—such as dry cleaning or gentle hand washing—as the merino wool and spandex can degrade with harsh treatment.

Le 31

Trompe-L'oeil Knit Polo Imported From Seoul

5/5 (1)

CA$125.00CAD

In Stock

This is a long-sleeve knit polo imported from Seoul, featuring a trompe-l'oeil design that mimics a checkered shirt layered under the knit. It has a loose fit, three-button polo collar, and ribbed edging. The top is made of a fine knit with contrasting checked collar and cuffs, and includes dropped shoulders and a relaxed, slightly boxy silhouette.

Gender: unisex
Style: casual, modern
Category: Apparel & Accessories > Clothing > Shirts & Tops

Color

BlackCharcoal

Size

MEDIUMLARGE

View on merchant site JSON

Specifications

A trompe-l'oeil knit polo with a checkered shirt layered effect, loose fit, three-button polo collar, and ribbed edging.

Trompe-l'oeil knit for layered look, loose fit, three-button polo collar, ribbed edging.

Material: 65% polyurethane, 13% nylon, 10% merino wool, 10% polyester, 2% spandex
Style: casual, modern
Occasion: everyday
Gender: unisex
Age Group: adult
Condition: new
Category: Apparel & Accessories > Clothing > Shirts & Tops

Additional Attributes

trompe-l'oeil knit pattern
checkered shirt layered effect
loose fit
three-button polo collar
ribbed edging

Product Insights

The Trompe-l'oeil Knit Polo from Le 31 is a Seoul-imported design-forward piece that uses a trompe-l'oeil knit to create a convincing layered look at conversational distance, replacing a dress shirt and tie for smart-casual or evening occasions; its charcoal colorway offers a subtle tonal effect, while the merino-wool-softened polyurethane blend resists pilling and stretching but requires dry cleaning to preserve the loose fit, balancing $125 cultural capital with maintenance commitment.

Verified claims

Realism: Trompe-l'oeil knit creates a convincing layered look at conversational distance.
Color contrast: Charcoal colorway makes the trompe-l'oeil effect more subtle and tonal.
Brand credibility: Le 31's Seoul import positions the trompe-l'oeil as a design-forward fashion statement.
Occasion styling: Replaces dress shirt and tie for smart-casual or evening events.
Fit styling: Dry cleaning preserves the loose fit for balanced styling with trousers.
Colorway: Charcoal colorway offers a subtle, tonal effect for daytime layering.
Seoul style: Trompe-l'oeil knit and loose fit translate Seoul's layered, oversized streetwear look.
Brand story: Le 31 is Simons' in-house label, imported from Seoul, exclusively at Simons.
Hand feel: Merino wool softens the polyurethane blend, preventing a plastic-like feel.
Care: Dry cleaning is recommended to avoid felting and loss of elasticity.
Pilling resistance: High synthetic content makes the knit resistant to pilling and stretching.
Shape retention: Resists stretching and pilling; dry-clean to maintain the loose fit.
Versatility: Serves as smart-casual and evening wear, rooted in Seoul streetwear.
Tonal contrast: Charcoal mutes contrast; Black sharpens it.
Value: $125 buys a Seoul-sourced trompe-l'oeil knit with Simons' cultural capital.

Product record

Title: Trompe-L'oeil Knit Polo Imported From Seoul
Brand: Le 31
Price: 125 CAD
Availability: In stock

Deep Research

Styling a trompe-l'oeil knit polo

The trompe-l'oeil tie eliminates the need to actually knot a necktie, making this a quick-dress option for evening events where a tie is expected but formality is flexible — worn with black trousers and leather loafers, it signals ‘I dressed up’ with the ease of pulling on a sweater.
The stated loose fit demands proportional balance; pairing it with straight or relaxed-fit trousers continues the contemporary oversized silhouette, while half-tucking the front hem into high-waisted trousers reins in the volume without losing the casual drape.
Choosing Charcoal over Black softens the contrast between the polo body and the checkered shirt graphic, producing a more muted, tonal effect that layers under camel or grey overcoats without the starkness — ideal for daytime settings where you want the illusion to whisper rather than shout.
The trompe-l'oeil motif — a checkered shirt and tie visible under the polo — reads as formal at conversational distance, allowing you to wear it with chinos and clean sneakers to a smart-casual workplace or dinner where a plain polo would feel too underdressed.

Le 31 brand and Seoul import story

At $125 CAD, this knit polo sits in the mid-to-upper tier of high-street knitwear, where the premium buys design-forward concepts rather than material opulence — the Seoul import story and trompe-l'oeil technique justify the price for someone seeking a conversation piece over a generic sweater.
Le 31 is Simons' in-house contemporary label, launched to inject trend-driven, globally inspired pieces into the mid-priced market — this $125 knit polo sits between fast-fashion affordability and designer exclusivity, reflecting the brand's role as a style-conscious, accessible alternative to anonymous mass-market sweaters.
Founded in 1840, Simons is a family-run Canadian department store with a legacy of blending European and North American fashion sensibilities; Le 31 is part of that tradition of curating private labels that capture emergent cultural currents — purchasing this polo means buying into over 180 years of fashion-retail perspective distilled into an affordable, forward-thinking piece.
The phrase 'exclusively at Le 31' means this polo is only available through Simons' own retail channels, giving it a curated, limited-run feel that separates it from department-store mainstream — a buyer gains a piece with built-in rarity and the backing of a retailer that has staked its reputation on private-label fashion.
Within Le 31, the 'Imported from Seoul' designation denotes garments sourced from South Korea's fashion ecosystem, a region known for its influential street-style and experimental approach to classic menswear — the trompe-l'oeil checkered polo is a direct product of that environment, translating Seoul's playful layering into a single knitted garment.
Seoul has been a dominant force in global streetwear since the mid-2010s, popularizing oversized fits, ironic graphics, and deconstructed classics — this polo's knit-on-shirt illusion and loose silhouette are instantly readable to those following K-style trends, signaling fashion literacy at a fraction of the cost of premium Korean designer imports.

Image Analysis

2 images

01: Product
Front view of a long-sleeve knit polo worn by a model, showing a solid black knit body with a three-button placket and a contrasting checked shirt-style collar and visible checked cuff trim.
Body shapeLong-sleeve pullover with dropped shoulders and a relaxed, slightly boxy torso; hem sits at the model's hips and is finished with a narrow ribbed band.
1 region
x 0.12 · y 0.12 · w 0.76 · h 0.68 (high)
Knit textureUniform fine knit surface across the body and sleeves with a matte finish and minimal visible stitch pattern at this scale.
1 region
x 0.18 · y 0.20 · w 0.64 · h 0.48 (medium)
Placket and buttonsShort vertical placket with three buttons centered below the collar; placket is same black knit as the body and buttons appear dark and low-gloss.
1 region
x 0.43 · y 0.18 · w 0.10 · h 0.14 (high)
Contrasting collarTurn-down shirt-style collar in a small checked pattern, visible above the neckline and sitting on top of the knit; collar points are flat and extend slightly outward.
1 region
x 0.33 · y 0.09 · w 0.34 · h 0.12 (high)
Visible cuff trimChecked fabric matching the collar visible at the sleeve cuffs where the model has folded or layered the cuff, showing the same small check pattern.
2 regions
x 0.09 · y 0.63 · w 0.15 · h 0.12 (high); x 0.72 · y 0.60 · w 0.12 · h 0.12 (high)
Other
Studio shot of a model against a neutral light background, three-quarter frontal pose with hands in pockets; soft, even lighting with a faint shadow on the right side of the frame.
Model poseModel facing slightly toward the camera with hands in pockets and torso visible from mid-thigh to above the head.
1 region
x 0.08 · y 0.05 · w 0.84 · h 0.90 (high)
Background and lightingEven, neutral off-white background with soft studio lighting; subtle shadow cast to the model's right (image left), minimal specular highlights.
Styling element (pants)Dark indigo trousers with visible yellow topstitching at the fly worn by the model; styling element not described as part of the knit polo.
1 region
x 0.20 · y 0.64 · w 0.60 · h 0.28 (high)
Colors
black· sweater body#0D0D0Enavy blue· collar fabric (check) - navy#2B2A2Cwhite· collar fabric (check) - white
02: Product
Rear view of a black knit long-sleeve polo worn by a model; knit texture, dropped shoulders, ribbed hem and cuffs, and a visible blue-and-white checked shirt collar and cuffs underneath are visible.
Overall shapeBack-facing long-sleeve knit top with a relaxed, slightly boxy silhouette and dropped shoulder seams.
1 region
x 0.08 · y 0.08 · w 0.84 · h 0.78 (high)
Material and textureEven, medium-gauge knit surface with a subtly pebbled texture visible across the back and sleeves.
1 region
x 0.12 · y 0.14 · w 0.76 · h 0.60 (high)
Ribbed hemHorizontal ribbed knit band at the garment hem that pulls slightly in at the waist.
1 region
x 0.26 · y 0.68 · w 0.48 · h 0.12 (high)
Ribbed cuffsRibbed sleeve cuffs visible at both wrists, sitting over the cuff of an underlayer.
2 regions
x 0.08 · y 0.72 · w 0.18 · h 0.12 (high); x 0.74 · y 0.72 · w 0.18 · h 0.12 (high)
Shoulder constructionDropped shoulder seams that sit down the upper arm rather than at the shoulder apex.
1 region
x 0.10 · y 0.16 · w 0.80 · h 0.18 (medium)
Underlying shirt visibleBlue-and-white checked shirt collar and narrow cuff bands are visible above the neckline and at the wrists, indicating a layered styling.
3 regions
x 0.35 · y 0.06 · w 0.30 · h 0.08 (high); x 0.20 · y 0.76 · w 0.14 · h 0.06 (high); x 0.66 · y 0.76 · w 0.14 · h 0.06 (high)
Visible occlusionLower back of the knit top is slightly wrinkled and tucked above the waistband of dark denim trousers, creating a fold on the right side.
1 region
x 0.52 · y 0.62 · w 0.30 · h 0.18 (medium)
Other
Studio rear portrait of a model against a plain light background; soft even lighting with minimal shadows; hair and hands visible for scale and styling.
Background and lightingNeutral light gray studio background with soft, even lighting and small diffuse shadow at the model's right side.
Model hairModel with medium-length dreadlocks falling to just above the collar, visible from the rear and right-profile.
1 region
x 0.34 · y 0.02 · w 0.32 · h 0.18 (high)
Supporting garments not part of productDark indigo denim jeans with contrast yellow stitching are visible below the knit top and are part of the styling but not described as product details.
1 region
x 0.22 · y 0.76 · w 0.56 · h 0.22 (high)
Hands and poseModel's hands are relaxed at sides with palms facing inward; pose is a straightforward rear-facing stance with slight turn of the head to the right.
2 regions
x 0.06 · y 0.78 · w 0.14 · h 0.18 (high); x 0.80 · y 0.78 · w 0.14 · h 0.18 (high)
Colors
deep black· body and sleeves#0D0D0E

Documents & Data

Customer Reviews

1 total

1 reviews · out of 5

Polo très confortable

★★★★★Manon D.February 13, 2026

Un beau tissu, très confortable. Chic et de bon goût!

Q&A

4 answered

What is the recommended care method for this material blend (65% polyurethane, 13% nylon, 10% merino wool, etc.)? Is it dry clean only or machine washable?: We recommend dry cleaning for this blend due to the high polyurethane content and the presence of merino wool. While machine washing on a gentle cold cycle (30°C max) with a delicates bag might be possible, the safest method is professional dry cleaning to avoid damaging the synthetic fibers or causing the wool to felt.
How realistic is the trompe-l'oeil effect in person? Does it convincingly look like a layered shirt and tie, or is the pattern more obvious as just a print?: The trompe-l'oeil effect is designed to convincingly mimic a layered look from a distance, using knit construction rather than a simple print. The product description states it creates a 'layered look' via 'trompe-l'oeil knit on a checkered shirt.' According to fashion experts, trompe-l'oeil pieces often appear as genuine layers from afar but reveal the illusion upon closer inspection [4].
With polyurethane as the primary material (65%), does the fabric feel plastic-like or does the merino wool content (10%) give it a softer, more natural hand feel?: The 65% polyurethane content gives the fabric a somewhat synthetic, smooth texture, but the inclusion of 10% merino wool and other fibers softens the hand feel considerably. While it won't feel like pure natural wool, the blend balances durability with a more comfortable touch than a fully plastic-like material.
How does the knit hold up to repeated wear and stretching? Given the polyurethane content, is there concern for pilling or loss of shape over time?: The high synthetic content (65% polyurethane, 13% nylon, 10% polyester) makes this knit very resistant to pilling and stretching out of shape compared to pure wool. However, long-term shape retention will depend on proper care—such as dry cleaning or gentle hand washing—as the merino wool and spandex can degrade with harsh treatment.

Provenance

Merchant Link: https://www.simons.ca/en/men-clothing/sweaters/v-necks-polos/trompe-l-oeil-knit-polo-imported-from-seoul--21737-25203?colourId=0
Updated: July 31, 2026