This article is a mobile-friendly adaptation of the piece I wrote for my sister site, Hooked-on: "LACOSTE Slim Fit Polo Shirts." If the subject interests you, I encourage you to visit the original on Hooked-on as well.
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The polo shirt is an indispensable part of summer dressing for men, and one I reach for every year without fail. The two definitive polo shirts are Lacoste — introduced here — and Fred Perry, but when combining with other pieces, I more often reach for the plain, unstriped Lacoste than the Fred Perry with its tipped collar.
Fred Perry I enjoy in a somewhat more casual way — I hope to cover it in a separate article. This one is about the Lacoste polo shirt.
Lacoste polo shirt.
The Lacoste piqué polo has been written about so thoroughly, and is so well known, that there is little I need to add about its merits. Even so, having worn it for many years, I want to give it its proper place here.
Slim fit.
The version I wear is the slim fit — slightly shorter in body length, with a narrower chest and smaller armholes than the regular line. The regular line is good, but I prefer the cleaner chest of the slim fit, and choose it because the combination with jeans is the foundation of how I wear it. That said, this comes down to personal preference and the style you're aiming for.
White.
I tend to prefer white in polo shirts as in most things, but black, red, yellow, and — for this season — green or brown are all excellent choices that open up different possibilities with outerwear. The collar means it works well as a standalone piece, but I also wear it as an alternative to a shirt under a tailored jacket, or layered under a collared outer piece such as a French moleskin work jacket.
As it gets properly hot, a polo shirt with cut-off denim is enough — and the collar keeps it from going as casual as a T-shirt, which is the polo's particular strength as a single layer. The piqué fabric has a pleasant hand and real durability; it holds up through repeated washing without losing its shape, which is another characteristic of the Lacoste piqué polo.
Styling.
A piece that holds its own as a single layer — worn here in the height of summer with cut-off denim. I often reach for a 1990s Levi's 501 cut short. Prices haven't inflated the way the earlier vintage models have, and the maturity of the secondhand market means cut-off versions are widely available, making it much easier to find the right size.
A white polo shirt works particularly well against tanned skin. The slim fit reads closer to the body than Lacoste's standard line.
Fitted in both body and length — the proportions are flattering.
The iconic crocodile and piqué fabric — the tag reads Slim Fit.
Worn casually, the collar still keeps the overall look pulled together. That is the polo shirt's particular advantage.
Details.
- 94% cotton, 6% polyurethane — mini piqué fabric
- Slim fit — close to the body throughout
- The fabric is pleasantly soft with a little weight — white does not show through
- Short sleeves with lantern-style construction — slightly wider above, narrowing to a ribbed cuff
- Slightly shorter body length — a modern proportion that lengthens the leg
Coordination.
- Slim fit polo shirt: LACOSTE, size S (FR3)
- Denim: Levi's 501, 1990s cut-off — Waist 30 in.
- Hat: Borsalino
- Watch: Rolex GMT Master 1675 (1964)
- Sunglasses: Ray-Ban Wayfarer, 1990s (BAUSCH+LOMB)
- Belt: White House Cox
Conclude.
A piece almost everyone has worn at some point — and yet one that delivers a genuinely refined look every time. I've chosen the slim fit here rather than the regular, and the closer cut with the shorter body length gives it a slightly sporting feel that I enjoy.
Like the 501, the Lacoste polo works with almost everything — it is as close to a universal top as menswear offers. Whatever size or colour you choose, it's the kind of piece you'll never have too many of.
The Lacoste piqué is also extraordinarily durable. A piqué crew-neck I bought twenty years ago has faded slightly in colour and been retired to home wear — but it still holds its shape perfectly.
Purchasing Store.
The slim fit polo shirt introduced here came from the LACOSTE Ginza store. The shop is clean and well laid out — walk in and the full polo shirt range in every colour is immediately in front of you, so you can check the actual shades in person, give your size to a staff member, and try it on. The staff are young but attentive and genuinely helpful; it's a pleasant shopping experience.
LACOSTE also offers online shopping for those who already know their size.