Fashion & Cosmetics Articles - The Evolution of the Polo Shirt


by ISLA CAMPBELL - Date: 2010-02-08 - Word Count: 445 Share This!

Today, a "polo shirt" is widely recognised as a classic yet casual article of clothing that's prominent in fashions all across the world. Like all enduring fashion pieces, the polo shirt holds an intricate history that has seen both its practical and stylistic trends evolve.

For instance, the very word "polo" in "polo shirt" has come to mean various things to consumers over the years. While the polo shirt is now commonly associated with tennis - and with many consumers believing the polo shirt to be named after Ralph's Lauren's Polo brand - the name actually comes from the shirt's origins as clothing for polo players. The word "polo" evolved from the word "pulu", which was the term used to describe a wooden ball in ancient Tibet. However, it was the seventh century Persians who eventually used the pulu in a game that entailed men on horses hitting the wooden ball with sticks - a game that ultimately came to be known as "polo" in India. When the British occupied India, they learned the sport and brought it to England.

Yet it wasn't until the 18th century that British sports teams actively sought less restrictive clothing for wear during sports - the knitted shirt emerging as one of the most popular of these pieces. These "jerseys" - initially designed with long sleeves - were adopted by a number of polo teams across the globe. In 1926, a famous tennis player named Rene Lacoste recognised and introduced the shirt's potential in sports other than polo. The trend quickly caught on - as did Lacoste's crocodile design - and the shirts were eventually marketed to the public in various colours and designs. In 1972, Ralph Lauren launched his classic polo shirt line, available in an even wider array of colours.

The polo shirt has since become a classic fashion item, with various trends shaping how consumers wear them. For example, many people are known to "pop the collar" or wear several polo shirts at one time, while polo shirt dresses have become increasingly popular for women. Polo shirts have also established a strong reputation within the world of tennis, with celebrity athletes - such as Andy Roddick - promoting brands like Lacoste polo shirts. Of course, an array of polo shirt designs are known to flourish at any given time, with "brights" prominently emerging on the catwalk this season. However, even in the midst of evolving trends, the polo shirt continues to maintain its status as a classic item in the world of fashion.

Isla Campbell writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.


Related Tags: polo shirts, lacoste, lacoste polo shirts, short sleeve polo shirts, long sleeve polo shirts, lacoste polo tops, polo tops

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