Why the Polo Shirt has Made a Comeback Within Ladies' Fashion

The polo shirt is not a new fashion creation. It firstthem to work, at home and in actual sporting events.
appeared as part of the fashion scene in the lateFirms branded their version with one or another
1800s. Oddly enough, and fittingly so, polo shirts were"cute" symbols.
first described as such in reports on polo players.After the 1970s, the polo shirt lost its place in the
Male Polo players of the Hurlingham Polo Club actuallypopular culture. Fashion passed it by until the turn of
wore them in Buenos Aires in 1893. This makes thethe new century. The early 2000s saw the
Polo shirt, possibly, as one author suggests, the firstreintroduction of Lacoste's version in a limited edition
true sports shirt.- a black Lacoste polo shirt with a silver crocodile. By
Polo shirts had a specific purpose. They were a2006, polo shirts began to emerge, once again as the
lightweight and practical shirt to wear for a sportingpreppy choice. Lacoste, Nautica, Ralph Lauren (Polo)
event. Writers described them as being ideal for hotor Tommy Hilfiger polo shirts were all becoming
weather. Over time, the polo shirt has come to befashionable, appearing on and off the courts and
considered the perfect sport shirt.greens. The polo shirt has been making a comeback
By the 1930s, the polo shirt was firmly entrenched asamong women's fashion.
a fashionable and practical article of clothing. AlthoughWhy is this happening? The reason is the same as it
traditionally considered as white, colored shirts hadwas for its earlier existence. Polo shirts are about
been available as early as the late 1920s. Pastels,serving two disparate needs: function and style. Not
greens, blues and reds soon joined the stereotypicalto malign the average T-shirt, but polo shirts have
color scheme. The gender changed as well. Americanthe ability to address the casual with a status style.
women were wearing them in the 1930s.They are versatile as well as functional. Moreover,
The polo shirt, therefore, has a long and proudthey have a designer's touch, that little brush with
sporting history. It is best known because of one"fame" granting each garment a special status.
man - Rene Lacoste. Erroneously, it is considered aPeople still wear the polo shirt in an athletic
Lacoste invention. He and Andre Gillier joined forcesenvironment. It appears on golf courses and on
and produced a version of the polo shirt. Lacostetennis courts. Polo players sport them in their
however, didn't market his shirt until 1933. Moreover,matches. They add a touch of class to a skirt,
his advertisements indicate he referred to it as ajodhpurs, shorts or pants. Yet, today, the polo shirt
"golf" and not a "polo" shirt. His shirt type was notappears on the backs of people performing their
marketed in the United States until 1951.day-to-day and mundane tasks. Its adaptability,
In the 1970s, Lacoste's gold shirts became consideredhowever, allows it to become part of their social and
a status symbol. These polo shirts were still referredsemi-professional daily obligations. Suburban moms
to as golf shirts but the marketing indicated theycan wear it to do practical things then move onto
were suitable for both home wear and for out onsocial affairs. Designers such as Leon Levin are able
the tennis courts. Their long tail made them easy toto tailor their polo shirts to active women for use on
tuck in the back of shorts or skirts.the coarse or at home.
The popularity of the newly remarketed polo shirt isThe polo shirt possesses versatility. It is good for
the result of the philosophy of the age. The preppyboth casual and social functions. Anyone can wear it.
look is very in, in the 1970s. Other companies followIn truth, it is adaptable to today's women's
Lacoste's lead and market their own version of thefast-paced lifestyle.
polo shirt. It appeared everywhere. You could wear