19 Apr The Polo Shirt: From Classic Heritage To Modern Spirit

OVERVIEW

• • • Originally born from aristocratic sports culture, the polo shirt was once a symbol of refined gentlemen and America’s Ivy League elite.
    • Today, this timeless garment enters a new chapter — where tradition is reinterpreted through sophisticated, creative, and modern variations.

   

  A GARMENT ROOTED IN NOBILITY

  • • • Emerging from the polo field — the sport of the aristocracy — the collared shirt was first designed to meet the elite’s demand for something breathable, durable, yet impeccably tailored.
      • French tennis player René Lacoste later refined the design for tennis: a softer collar, short button placket, and breathable piqué cotton allowed for freedom of movement while preserving a polished look.
      • Quickly adopted by golfers and America’s upper-middle class, the polo shirt became emblematic of “sporty aristocracy” — athletic elegance with noble flair.

  

  Giorgio de Stefani (left) and Wilmer Allison (right) in the 1930 tennis final.

  UNLIMITED MATERIAL

  • • • Beyond traditional piqué cotton, modern polo shirts now appear in silk-cashmere blends, natural bamboo fibers, and even raw-woven denim.
      • Each fabric unlocks a new expression — from relaxed athleticism to quiet sophistication.

  

  Knit polos emerge as a major trend for Fall–Winter 2024.

   

  PERSONAL STYLE TAKES THE LEAD

  • • • Evolving from a uniform-like staple, the polo shirt is now a canvas for personal expression – one that can appear polished in a corporate setting, or casual and effortless in a more expressive context.
      • As major fashion houses embrace “quiet luxury” – a philosophy of understated elegance that focuses on fabric and form – the polo shirt has become a go-to piece for blending structure with modern minimalism.

  

  Jang Wonyoung styles a polo shirt with an A-line skirt in a fresh preppy take.

  (Sources: Business of Fashion, Elle Viet Nam)