A good shirt is a perfect blend of comfort and style and the polo shirt is a perfect example of this. Also known as the tennis or golf shirt, a typical polo shirt is a T-shaped shirt with a collar. There may be buttons or a zip on the shirt and they are made of knitted cloth which is usually pique cotton.
The origin of the polo shirt can be traced back to tennis. Early tennis players wore long-sleeved button up shirts that were very uncomfortable. Rene Lacoste, who was a Grand Slam tennis champion, designed a short-sleeved, loose, white shirt from pique cotton. He first wore this shirt at the 1926 US Open Championship. A year later, in 1927, Lacoste placed a alligator emblem on the left breast of his shirts inspired by his nickname, the alligator.
Polo shirts for men and women are now available under various brands. Shirts for men are usually available in solid colours with light colours preferred for outdoor use. The top buttons are usually left undone and the shirts sometimes include a pocket. Lacoste polo shirts have a unique cut, in which the back hangs a few centimetres lower than the front. This is called a “tennis tail” to keep the shirt tucked into the back of tennis shorts during play.
Polo shirts for women are shorter in length and have a definite feminine touch. They too come in various colours such as red, yellow and pink. Some polo shirts for women have an open V neck with a collar and some are sleeveless. Women’s polo shirts are also available with stripes and some even sport intricate embroidery.
Today, polo shirts are worn not only by tennis enthusiasts but also by golf players and are also used for everyday wear. Polo shirts are also considered required clothing for people who work outside such as ground keepers as they are well suited for outdoor activity. In the 1990s, polo shirts became a standard informal business shirt for many industries.
Cool, comfortable and reasonably priced, polo shirts are a good choice when you want to unwind. A good shirt in a light shade is a perfect choice and they go really well with jeans and cargos. Make your summer fun with a polo shirt and match them with a blazer or jacket during mild winters.
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