Long sleeve polo

The polo at the origin of the polo shirt

According to historians, the polo shirt originated in Asia over 2,500 years ago. More specifically, the first version of the polo was born in India. The term "polo" obviously refers to the equestrian sport of the same name. In the 19th century, Joseph Sherer (a lieutenant attached to the Bengal Army) discovered polo and decided to bring this sport back to the British Empire. At the time, polo players wore long-sleeved shirts made of rather thick cotton. The problem then was that when moving, the collar would flap around, which could be bothersome. To remedy this, they added a button to keep the collar in place. It was one of the founders of Brooks Brothers who, while watching a polo match, found the idea brilliant and brought it back to the United States.

Did the original polo come from France?

The polo shirt as we know it today didn't appear until 1920. A tennis player of the time named Jean René Lacoste rebelled against the thick, hot long-sleeved shirts that tennis players had to wear. He decided to create a short-sleeved shirt with shortened buttons and a longer back panel. Additionally, he changed the fabric to use piqué cotton. The polo shirt was born. Since then, many variations have emerged, such as short and modern collars, various colors and prints, and both long and short sleeves.

How to wear a polo shirt?

Both stylish and sporty, the polo shirt can blend into any outfit, making it an excellent alternative to a dress shirt. Thick enough to be worn alone with jeans or chinos, the long-sleeve polo also fits well under a sweater, becoming more elegant with its visible collar. Whether for a smart-casual office look, an evening with friends, or a weekend family outing, the polo is clearly one of those versatile pieces you can combine endlessly.