The Polo Shirt: A Perfect Closet Essential For Every Season
It can help you achieve a sporty, yet elegant look that is all about comfort
The Polo shirt is one of the most integral items to have in one’s wardrobe. Though the silhouette has evolved and has been tweaked over the years, the essence of the closet essential has remained the same. A Polo shirt can elevate your outfit in many ways. If paired with a sports coat, you’ve got a fantastic brunch outfit on your hands. Worn with a pair of Bermuda shorts, you have for yourself a great vacation fit!
It’s definitely worth asking how it made its way to our hearts, and where it first originated.
Tennis, “The Crocodile,” Hip-Hop And The Birth Of The Polo T-Shirt
As the name suggests, the Polo t-shirt has a little (more like, a whole lot) to do with the first game of Polo organised by the British cavalry in 1869. At first, Polo teams wore long sleeved poplin shirts to the matches, and they’d wear jersey t-shirts underneath these shirts. But as time went on, and the sport became more and more influential, the uniform changed to something simpler, yet still as sophisticated – a collared T-shirt. In the 1920s and 1930s, many teams began wearing what we know today as the Polo t-shirt.
You May Also Like: Iconic Men's Met Gala Looks Through the Years
But it was another highly regarded sport that furthered the Polo t-shirt’s likeability. Famed French tennis player Jean Rene Lacoste is known to have come up with a modern design for the T-shirt and create a historic brand based on the closet-staple. René Lacoste was also known as “The Crocodile,” for how he dealt with his opponents and created Polo T-shirts with the iconic crocodile logo on them. He made the new shirts with short sleeves, an unstarched collar, and a longer back (tennis tail) that could be tucked in. The Tennis legend also used pique cotton for durability and breathability. And before you know it, in 1933, Jean Rene Lacoste established his brand Lacoste.
Along with that, the fact that affluent personalities such as President Dwight Eisenhower wore the T-shirt, made it an even more attractive clothing item. Ultimately, when Ralph Lauren launched his casual wear company “Polo” in 1972, the garment gained a lot more traction and popularity. The next time we saw the Polo shirt come into the limelight (not that it was ever out of the limelight, it was just reclaimed in different ways throughout history) was in the glamorous 2000s.
In the 2000s, the Polo T-shirt became quite a fashion statement as Hip-Hop and rap artists such as Kanye West and Eminem were frequently seen donning it. Some say it was a symbol of Hip-Hop becoming a new-age symbol of wealth and success. Many also began wearing it to create a “preppy” look, which was iconised by celebrities such as Paris Hilton, and Alicia Silverstone of Clueless’ stardom.
How The Polo Shirt Has Evolved Over Time
Though the design of the Polo T-shirt has remained similar over the course of years, the fact that other sports such as Golf also contributed to making the T-shirt a fashion statement is an important point to consider.
It is because of the sport of Golf, that Nike has also become somewhat of a pioneer in the shirt style. So, today brands such as Nike, Lacoste, and Ralph Lauren, Leset and Eterne are really setting the tone for what a Polo shirt looks like. But the collared T-shirt continues to be associated with sportsmanship etiquettes and is similar to the gentleman’s etiquette – prioritizing fairness, respect and graciousness.
Back in 2024, as the old-money aesthetic reached its peak, the Polo knit jumper-trend really began thriving. The design absolved the Polo shirt of buttons and a pocket and gave it a more relaxed appearance. Celebrities such as Jeremy Allen white, Jacob Elordi, Donald Glover and Chris Evans have been seen taking on the Polo knit jumper and carrying it with a lot of grace. So, if you consider yourself a winter lover, then this jumper style might just be your cup of tea.
The Polo shirt embodies the spirit of the gentleman and can add a touch of sophisticated allure to your outfit without making it overtly formal or restricted. And there are more ways than one you can style it!