Damn your quick. Thanks!

I do wear polo or tennis shirts every now and again. I can't think of any short sleeves shirts that I own but as a far as polo/tennis shirts it's just 3 Fred Perry's that are left in my wardrobe... though I had a few more when I was more moddy.

I really liked the Made in Japan FP shirts. The first 2 seasons available in the UK in 2005/2006 were great. In well established colourways and no hideous pastel shades. The cotton pique was very sturdy, as was the stitching. The fit was super slim (small was a 36chest 30waist MAX and if you were over a 40chest forget it) and they came with a 3 button placket instead of 2 (a feature on the original tipped shirts of the 60's). The buttons were always white and unbranded. I'm not tempted by the current crop as the colours are awful.

I've still got a black with yellow tipping and a navy with yellow tipping from that first season. Bomb proof shirts that just won't die. As well as those I have a plain white FP Made in England tennis shirt that I bought NOS from a man on ebay who used to sell truckloads of very rare FP. I swear he had a time machine. That's on it'slast legs unfortunately now and I won't be replacing it with a Chinese made shirt.

Fred Perry is the only logo I'll wear. I don't even like the gator.

I used to wear PRL and Lacoste in high school but don't do logos anymore. Plain Smedleys for me in the summertime when called for.

I had a navy Lacoste, in the 80s like the one featured in "The Ivy Look" but we called them "Izod Lacoste".(it had the crocodile) I found out thats what they were until 1993. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Izod_lacoste  I don't think they had trim or slim fits then but it was shrunk down to a perfect fit like Culps. (I wish I could find shorts that fit like that today too) I'm looking for a white Lacoste but the ones now are 3 buttons.

Last edited by steve mcqueen fan (2012-04-17 18:54:43)

Izod had a blue croc didn't it?


I like Smedley's but not at full price. I've a couple by Attolini that are spank. Nice BD one by Corneliani and the grey waffle FP. Got a brown one by Clarke Ross thats got really nice detail on the inside of the collar.

Smedley and Lacoste is all I need when it comes to Polo shirts.

Last edited by weekender (2012-04-18 03:26:05)

Don't see the point in polos. Too thick, and the collars always look like shit, even when new. SS button downs only for me in summer, and sometimes A/W under a Shetland/Aran/Norwegian

Now that autumn is upon us and the winter looks like being one for hot toddies and bed socks, I'm already beginning to think about next spring.  I do not, at the moment, own anything but an Italian-made Cecil Gee long sleeve shirt - which is all right but only just.  I'm actually thinking about the USA-made Ralph Lauren polo shirts given to me by my father and which presumably disappeared in my personal Bonfire Of Vanities back in early 2013.  I remember wearing them with some favourite, tailored slightly L.L.Bean jeans and the bucks that had become sun-marked in the window at Russell Street and of which Jeff G said 'You won't be wanting those'.  I'd like one in navy with pocket but minus pony.

I like the old RL polos with the longer tail at the back, they seem to last forever. Nice if you can get them without logos, but it wouldn’t be a dealbreaker as I mainly use polo shirts for knocking about at home or walking. I can’t get my head around a button down polo, no thank you sir.
Fred Perry’s used to be my favourite polo despite the dreaded skin/mod associations in the UK, but the quality of them has gone to rats and they soon shrink.  I’ve bought a couple of Lacoste over the last 2-3 years, but I’m not sure they’re any better despite the hefty price tag. You’ve got to go a long way to beat Uniqlo.

I've gone back to the old Croc, I think it's a Harrington (Guildford) thing. The quality isn't as it used to be, they feel thinner. I bought so many back then, and then got rid as every Tom, Dick & Harry wore them, along with there were a lot of fakes about. I do have a Hartford picked up from Russell St many moons ago, I'm pretty sure KL used to wear them.

I'll tell you one very good reason why I've been put off Lacoste.  I see them worn by someone I have to deal with every now and then and who comes across as very stroppy.  Bad associations.  A football 'casual' type.  I much prefer something 'under the radar'.

'Morning, Woof.  The original polo shirt?'

Uniqlo have changed the nomenclature of their shirts, but I think we are looking at the Air Pique Polo which is 70/30 cotton/poly. It's academic anyway as they seem to have run out of everything except extra-small. Avoid anything with daft names like Heatech as its 100% polyester and you'll be sparking like Electro-man.

I've never tried Muji polos, but could be worth a look as they are 100% cotton but only in Large at present, must be supply chain issues. I think i will order a couple as I am due for a new issue.