Short sleeve polo shirts - The Nines

Short sleeve polo shirts

A traditionally made Portuguese polo shirt, made of cotton and with different original collars. It is the perfect polo shirt for summer: it combines elegance and comfort.

The Mandarin collar polo - a revisited classic

The origin of the polo shirt

These garments first appeared in 19th century India. The polo shirt was worn during the sport of 'polo', hence its name, to provide comfort to players and the certain ease of movement that was required.

The polo shirt; a revolutionary garment

The polo shirt was later popularized in tennis. In the 1920s, due to the need to belong to high society, tennis imposed a chic dress code. Tennis players were accustomed to wearing long-sleeved shirts that they rolled up during play. It was player Jean René Lacoste, world number one at the time, who began to imagine an alternative to this cumbersome shirt worn during matches. Thus appeared the polo shirt, made from a very special cotton called 'piqué cotton'. Its weave provided better ventilation than traditional shirts and its cut allowed players to move freely. They particularly appreciated the collar's structure despite its flexibility.

A piqué knit, characteristic of the polo shirt

As mentioned before, the first polo shirts were made from a cotton called 'piqué cotton'. Piqué knit is a tight and regular weave. It is known for its flexibility and softness, making it the perfect fabric for casual garments like polo shirts. Our polos are therefore made of piqué knit, making them non-transparent while remaining breathable and sturdy to provide a refreshing feeling during summer seasons. The piqué knit of our polos is entirely made of cotton to provide comfort worthy of a t-shirt.

A versatile garment

Today the polo shirt is a classic in men's wardrobes. It's often considered more elegant than a t-shirt and less formal than a shirt. It's a versatile garment, a happy medium that can be worn in any circumstance. It has the advantage of blending into any outfit.

Our iconic collar: the Mandarin collar polo

We have developed a version inspired by one of our iconic collars from our shirt collection: the Mandarin collar. The Mandarin collar draws its inspiration from its Asian origin. It gets its name from Chinese statesman and military leader Mao Zedong. When he led the People's Republic of China, he habitually wore a jacket with a mandarin collar.

The Mandarin collar is a simple stand-up collar with rounded corners. It is worn slightly open. Less common and more modern, it brings the touch of casual elegance that polo shirts lack. For years, the Mandarin collar has brought simplicity and elegance to men's wardrobes. The Mandarin collar polo is a versatile and modern garment, meant to be a happy medium worn in all circumstances. Choose the cloud of softness and modernity of our new Mandarin collar polos!

Our style advice

You can find our different polo shirts in our Paris stores, where our teams will be delighted to welcome you. But for now, here are some style tips we can give you on how to wear a polo shirt for different occasions. The polo gives your outfit a casual yet elegant style, so you can wear it for a seaside walk, a dinner with friends, or to work!

If you choose to wear it for a formal outfit, pair your polo with a nice suit jacket and flannel trousers.

For a more casual outfit, wear your polo with chinos or plain raw denim jeans and complete your look with white sneakers.

And finally, for casual occasions like a barbecue with friends, we recommend combining your polo with pants or shorts and loafers or boat shoes.