Recently I have been taking a look at fashion trends born out of function. The other day I wrote about UGGs. Toady, since I’m guest blogging for the College Prepster, we thought it would be perfectly appropriate to do a post on the Polo Shirt- where did it come from and how did it become what it is today?
First, let me start off by admitting something seriously embarrassing. It took a LONG time, like, years before I had any idea that “polo” was a brand. Despite wearing “polo shirts” every day for 13 years in school it never really caught on. I think this was partially because we weren’t allowed to have labels on our shirts. No alligators, no equestrians, not even a creepy looking smiley face a-la the Walmart Roll Back guy. Any markings on our shirts would earn us a detention.
Looking back I think this was a really good idea even though it left me sounding like an idiot in front of the members of Pi Kappa Popyour Collar or something my freshman year of college.
FAIL. This is all wrong for so many reasons. If you don’t think so, keep reading.
Though I have never considered myself a prep, or really an “anything” for that matter, I feel as if everyone will at one point or another find themselves wearing a collared shirt.
Before you break our the starch my collar popping friends, let’s take a quick look at what function this funny fad originated from.
History of Trend Part II: The Polo Shirt
The polo shirt was first worn by (surprise, surprise) Polo Players in the late 1800s. It was a long sleeved, button down, cotton, collared and probably ugly piece of fabric. The design of the shirt included two functional aspects- buttons down the front of the shirt and a collar on the back of the neck. John Brooks (of Brooks Brothers) began manufacturing these shirts for athletes when he noticed that the sun protecting collar needed to be buttoned up to prevent it from flapping during the player’s rides.*
In the 1930’s Rene Lacoste (tennis) was the first designer to cut off the sleeves and limit the amount of buttons on his shirts for his fellow tennis players. Polo players also found this more comfortable. So now we have about 90% of what today’s polo shirt is.
Lacoste put an alligator on it because his design had a longer tail in the back of the shirt and looked like an alligator (I don’t see it either). About ten years before this, Argentinian polo player Lewis Lacey slapped a polo player on his brand of the shirt, and thus the name “polo shirt” was born.*
(Lewis Lacey)
After decades of the Polo Shirt being around, Ralph Lauren capitalized the heck out of the it when he included the look in his 1972 fashion line “Polo”. I don’t know how he managed to keep the polo player on his shirt with out stirring up any legal trouble but I guess this was before we started suing people over everything. Good timing, Ralph.*
Hopefully now everyone understands why first picture in this post is absurd. I’m open to believing in global warming but don’t know in what part of the world the sun is strong enough to penetrate EIGHT COLLARED SHIRTS. Your neck will be burn free with just one shirt, promise.
I am not against popping the collar if the collar popper understands why he or she is engaging in this fad.
So, in conclusion, I say pop that collar all you want polo players and wearers. Once indoors, however, or on cloudy days, let’s limit the starch and try to keep things authentic.
[College Prepster Note: I loved this post!!! My high school crew coach would wear his collared polos “popped” to keep the sun of his neck during hot summer practices. He would always explain that that was the original purpose, not for fashion.]
Nice post- it is so annoying when people comment on my popped collar when I am riding. Hello- my hair is tucked underneath a helmet there needs to be something there to keep the hideous tan lines at bay (and SPF 50 doesn't cut it)
Interesting! I love reading about the history behind "preppy" clothing because most of it is so interesting! I love the history behind Lilly Pulitzer too, being from palm beach it has a significant tie to home for me. 🙂
2: It has the CROCODILE emblem because the American press gave Rene Lacoste (the guy who designed the first TENNIS, NOT POLO shirt) the nickname Le Crocodile.
This article is SO wrong. The polo shirt as we know it was invented by Mr René Lacoste, a French tennis player who was nicknamed "the crocodile". Hence the logo. You might want to check the info next time.
Not really in the mood to be in photos right now, but I keep telling myself I’ll want to look back on these moments and remember them. (Right?!) when I look at these photos in 10, 20, 30 years…
I hope I remember Jack “rescuing” Rory from a windy tent, not how I stood in front of my closet with tears in my eyes.
I hope I remember watching Jack roll down hills and play hop scotch and scoot down the sidewalk with his besties, not that I caught a glimpse of my reflection and didn’t recognize myself.
I hope I remember sitting outside with my friend happily watching our kids play (while watching the minutes until bedtime tick by), and not that I spent too much time zooming in and examining every new wrinkle on my face.
I hope I remember the pure joy of these early warm days with my little family whom I love so much 🤍
The weather is warming up and I’m feeling slightly more comfortable in my skin every day ☀️ Here’s what I wore last week as a mom of two. I have a two and a half year old toddler and a two month old so I need outfits I feel good in, can chase a little guy around in, AND that I can breastfeed easily while wearing. 🔗 Leave a comment with “OUTFITS” to get links to every outfit I wore!
This room is so very special 🤍 The little cars sprinkled everywhere (watch your step!). A tiny sock, never two, peeled off and tucked somewhere hidden away. Piles of books that grow almost as quickly as the little boy who sleeps here. Outgrown pants and shoes to grow into mingling in the closet. Often messy, and a little cluttered, but a little boy lives here. 🚘☀️🐶📚🧸
(Rory is still in our room, but eventually the boys will share. I can picture their little twin beds already!)
About ten days ago, I noticed that today’s forecast was looking WARM. I told Mike, “We’re walking into town and sitting outside and I’m getting a beer. Put it on your calendar.” It ended up being warmer than forecasted (almost eighty degrees!) and let me tell you, it delivered. Today felt like the beginning of The Season™: dinners al fresco, beers/fries/ice creams, and late bedtimes. Indulging in it all because the kids are only getting older and we’re the grownups (somehow) and we get to make the rules ✌🏻
Dress is @tuckernuck & sweater is @kiltecollection
@pennylinndesigns and I hosted a “learn to needlepoint” class this past weekend and it was everything ✨ Needlepoint has been such a bright spot in my life over the past five years- and it’s gotten me through some difficult times. Because it’s helped me so much, sharing this hobby with others has turned into a mini life mission of mine. To sit in a room (my beautiful office space designed by @clare.sull!) with pro stitchers and needlepoint newbies alike was one of my dreams come true. I loved seeing women chatting, meeting, and bonding over this beautiful craft 🪡 Honestly, the needlepoint world is (sadly) filled with a lot of gatekeeping and competitiveness; this weekend proved that it doesn’t have to- and shouldn’t- be this way! It’s for EVERYONE. Whether you’ve never picked up a canvas in your life or you’re working on heirloom stockings for your family, there’s room for everyone at this table.
📍 Leave a comment saying “needlepoint” and I’ll send you my go-to resources for getting started with needlepoint!
Motherhood is pure JOY to me– nothing makes me happier than being with my boys! I wear my @haverhillcollection personalized jewelry every day as a symbol of my love for them– it’s a constant reminder for me of my greatest purpose. To celebrate my first Mother’s Day with TWO boys, I sent in my Haverhill necklace to add Rory’s birthstone and initial alongside Jack’s! I also got a second bracelet to stack with Jack’s. Love that this personalized jewelry can be altered as our family grows. Haverhill’s jewelry is designed to be lived in (perfect for busy moms!) made from solid 14k gold with high-quality birthstones so I never have to take it off to exercise, shower, or sleep. Use code MOTHERSDAY15 for 15% off!
We got a mama-approved family photo of the four of us 👏🏻 I wasn’t really paying attention to our calendar while in the end of pregnancy/newborn bubble and realized quite late that Jack had some time off from daycare and preschool this week. Mike and I quickly decided to book a last minute trip to Florida to visit my family and enjoy the warm weather ☀️
Very nice post! xD
Very neat learning about the history, thanks for sharing! It is funny that the alligator really was kind of random and is so very popular today.
Just a friendly FYI-Lacoste has a crocodile not an alligator. Rene's nickname on the tennis court was "le crocodile"
Nice post- it is so annoying when people comment on my popped collar when I am riding. Hello- my hair is tucked underneath a helmet there needs to be something there to keep the hideous tan lines at bay (and SPF 50 doesn't cut it)
Excellent! I love this one Miss CP, especially that last photo, it is outstanding!
Sending you a smile,
tp
Interesting! I love reading about the history behind "preppy" clothing because most of it is so interesting! I love the history behind Lilly Pulitzer too, being from palm beach it has a significant tie to home for me. 🙂
You're dumb for at least two reasons.
1: The shirt looks nothing like an alligator.
2: It has the CROCODILE emblem because the American press gave Rene Lacoste (the guy who designed the first TENNIS, NOT POLO shirt) the nickname Le Crocodile.
This article is SO wrong. The polo shirt as we know it was invented by Mr René Lacoste, a French tennis player who was nicknamed "the crocodile". Hence the logo.
You might want to check the info next time.
It's very comfortable and warm, if you are looking for a good sweatshirt you found the one. Really a must have.
Men Polo Tees
Polos are considered as the style of looking less formal and elegant as well. Most of people like to wear them casually or at picnic places.
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