Lacoste, men's polo shirts from a tennis legend.
René Lacoste, the founder of one of the most famous French brands in the world, was athletic and inventive. The alligator label has long been venturing beyond tennis clubs, providing smart attire for men, whether on the courts or in the city.
The birth of a cult brand.
René Lacoste, a talented tennis player, won the French Championships for the first time in 1925. His game was lauded in the press and one journalist christened him "the alligator", a reference to a crocodile skin suitcase that had been staked on a bet. He asked a friend of his to draw the animal that would become the emblem of the label and put it on his blazer. An inventor at heart, René Lacoste designed the first tennis ball machine. He also sought to propose clothes that were geared towards performance. In 1933, he marketed the iconic Lacoste L.12.12 polo shirt, in partnership with André Gillier. The crocodilian brand was born.
Sold in more than 114 countries, the Lacoste brand has won over the entire globe. In time, the famous L.12.12 polo shirt was joined by numerous accessories, from perfume to leather goods, watches, sunglasses and shoes. In 2010, Felipe Oliveira Baptista was named creative director of the house. The heart of the Portuguese designer was set on reinterpreting the brand's values, while remaining faithful to its original spirit. He launched Lacoste L!VE, a collection of elegant, imaginative clothing, ideal for major international sporting events and for more casual looks.
Lacoste's polo shirts lead the way.
Today, two "alligators" are sold somewhere on the planet every second. The men's polo shirts are among the brand's most popular pieces. They are available in neutral tones, and in more nuanced, zesty hues. But also in flecked jersey, their collars adorned with contrasting bands or with graphic prints or stripes. All the models have collars that open with a few buttons, and the crocodile is still ever-present on the chest.
There are so many collections of Lacoste men's polo shirts, it's perfectly possible to own multiple versions. The plain polo shirt, in a classic colour or even a brighter version, is one of the models that everyone should have in their wardrobe. Or the polo shirt with contrasting bands. For the bolder at heart, there's the more whimsical versions, with geometric patterns all over, for example.