Men's Polo Shirts - The Perfect Transitional Garment

There are few items that you can wear every day, regardless of the season, that never seem to lose their street credibility. The polo shirt is one of them. A fashion classic, the garment has gained a major following among many trend-setting communities.


Let's take a look at how the item came to be known as a polo shirt and how it soon gained its ground around the world.


Another name for the polo shirt - the tennis shirt - gives a lot away about its origins. Pioneered by Rene Lacoste in the late 1920s, the French tennis champion designed the garment to replace classic tennis whites (long-sleeved white button-up shirts, flannel trousers and ties) with something a lot more appropriate and comfortable for players. His fame grew with the help of his logo, the now famous Crocodile. After retiring from his career in tennis, Lacoste teamed up with a clothing merchandiser to push the shirt in European and North American markets. Gradually, polo players overtook the trend as their previous attire was also found to be outdated and unsuited to games.


In the 1970s, Ralph Lauren produced his version of the shirt that further spread its international acclaim.


Nowadays, tennis shirts are widely used in uniforms due to their smart casual appearance. School children sport polo shirts with their school's logo, as do workers in the retail industry. As it's seen as a smarter alternative to the classic T-shirt, the polo can be worn to occasions that adhere to the smart casual dress code.


Learn how to style a tennis shirt for any season, be it a particularly chilly winter or a pleasantly sunny summer.


Autumn and Winter


In the chillier months of the year, polo shirts are great for layering. Team the shirt with a V-neck woolen jumper or a long-sleeved jersey shirt. Its collar will look great peeking out. Wear the ensemble with a pair of chinos or smart jeans and throw on a tweed or woolen coat with accessories such as a scarf or knitted hat. Finish of the look with a pair of sturdy leather brogues or boots.


Spring and Summer


In the spring and summer season, tennis shirts look excellent both with long trousers and shorts. Choose a striped polo shirt and team it with shorts in a block colour. Wear with flip flops for a casual, beach style look or team with classic tennis shoes or plimsolls for prim and preppy chic that ladies love.


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