Polo shirts are a staple of many men’s wardrobes. However, very few people have probably stopped to wonder how exactly this popular item of clothing got its distinctive name.
Before polo shirts were found everywhere as they are now, they were worn by those taking part in the sport of polo – riding horses and scoring goals while mounted by hitting a ball with a mallet.
A Game of Indian Origins
The origins of polo can be dated back to a game played in Manipur, the state found in India’s north-east. Officers in the British Army took a liking to the game and started it in the mid-19th century.
At this time the uniform for taking part in polo consisted of a shirt with long sleeves and a collar. Players were dismayed by how these collars flapped about while playing, so new versions of these shirts incorporated buttons to secure the collars and stop them moving.
Going Global
So the button-down effect was born and greatly impressed a young John E Brooks, who then incorporated this type of collar into Brooks Brothers designs. In 1920, an Argentinian polo player called Lewis Lacey helped to popularise the polo shirt by opening a store in Buenos Aires that sold shirts featuring a logo made up of a player on a polo pony. However, it wasn’t until Jean René Lacoste, the French tennis player, introduced the shirt to tennis wear, followed by Briton Fred Perry, that the polo shirt went global.
When it comes to quality garments, mens Ralph Lauren polo shirts are of course among the very best for style and comfort. If you want to find out more about where to buy mens Ralph Lauren polo shirts then it would be a good idea to go to a reputable supplier. You’ll find that mens Ralph Lauren polo Shirts are a good choice for summerwear.
For more ideas on great options in polo shirts and some timeless looks, check out this story in The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/gallery/2020/sep/25/10-of-the-best-polo-shirts-for-men-in-pictures for inspiration.
The polo shirt is a wonderfully versatile garment with a rich legacy. Comfortable yet stylish, a polo shirt can be worn in a variety of situations and easily dressed up or down for any occasion.
