Robbie - ‘ My missus bought a padded long coat which to my eyes didn't do her any favours but she sarcastically said ' It's the fashion, init?'

… just be honest and tell me what you think (as long as it’s good).

Yes, my wife has got one of those coats and they are unfortunately rather un-stylish, but fashionable. I guess they’re pretty warm too, but I’m always reminded of those insulating jackets people used to wrap around their hot water tank.

Are they the long padded coats with no sleeves ? I see a woman at the gym recently wearing one, I thought it looked hideous, but what do I know about ladies fashion ....

I wear polo shirts throughout the Summer months and over the years I have tried a number of options.

Sadly it appears to be one of those areas where you find something you like and then the manufacturer tinkers with the cut, country of origin or quality far too frequently.

Brooks polo shirts were very good up until a few years ago. The pique was slightly heavier and kept its shape.

I have had a number of RLP polo shirts and they have been pretty good but occasionally you get one that somehow doesn't last as long.

Tried the Sunspel Riveria in navy and to be honest the colour ran far too quickly. Shame as I'm a big fan of their merino shirts.

Lacoste have got the ivy credentials but I find their classic fit a bit peculiar. Get the body right but the around the collar is slightly baggy.

My advice is simple. Focus on fit and don't spend too much. Polo shirts are always going to be around so even if they falter they will be pretty easy to replace.

Better still have a weekend away in the lovely Peak District, visit the Smedley factory shop and stock up on bargains that will see you through countless summers. (They also sell ladies knitwear to keep your partners happy.)

Dulouz,

Before releasing any hard earned on these I would recommend seeing them in the flesh. There are so many RLP variants now for such a simple wardrobe staple. It's mind boggling. You have got more patience than I have to sift through them

I have a Brooks Brothers polo shirt with a top pocket. Very similar to a Riviera Sunspel polo. Never seen another one. Good but I don't smoke and the top pocket not needed but a good polo.

Missus wore her Uniqlo padded coat today when we took the dog for a walk. She said ' I know I look like Michelin Man but it is warm' no mention of 'its the fashion  innit' She looked good though.

Last edited by RobbieB (2022-12-15 09:49:14)

I remember the RL polo pique shirt with pocket. 

Must’ve been late 80’s ?

Around time or shortly before RL did the <<Big Shirt>> line which was somewhat oversized Oxford BD’s and polo shirts

Logo on tail. Not on chest. 

The oxfords mirror’d an early look not too long before of preppies going oversized on oxfords.  Not
freakishly so.  But enough to notice.

Last time I went to restock on Uniqlo polos I found that the quality was much diminished and the polyester quotient had been upped to 70%. So I experimented with Russell polos from GDB, a school and workwear supplier, 100% cotton classic cut, acceptable weight and quality. They’ve stood up well to washing with little fading or shrinkage.

The last remaining Uniqlo ones were at the end of the road so it was time for a re-issue and three more Russells ordered and delivered from GDB for a the massive total of £45.

https://gdbclothing.co.uk/shop/polo-shirts/j569m-classic-cotton-pique-polo/

Last edited by FlatSixC (2023-03-16 06:34:23)

I popped into John Lewis in Reading yesterday, (they do some good knitwear under their own label), there was a very nice looking s/s polo shirt amongst their display , I looked it up on their website and its cotton/linen with a ribbed hem, (like a smedley if memory serves me), £45, I guess they are at the smart end of polos, probably more suited to wear with chinos than shorts, unfortunately they only have them in 2 colours, a mid blue and ( I guess) a light-ish burgundy colour, I'm ok for polos but if I was in the market I seriously consider these,

For me there are only 3 models that look right with the Ivy Look -
1) the classic Lacoste
2) Ralph's version with the short chunky placket and small collar
3) John Smedley sea island cotton with the classic 'mod' long collar
I've tried others but they just don't harmonise with natural shoulder.

For those in the smoke, there’s a Sunspel sample sale on in Hackney.

The Riviera polos are well priced and they had other knitted polos too. Lots on nice underwear and knitwear too.

I used to love the Russell t-shirts with the label at the bottom left on the outside of the shirts. Elavated the simple T.

The first time I saw mention of Ralph Lauren was in '82.

Blues and Soul ran a picture of the legendary remixer/producer Arthur Baker wearing a Ralph polo shirt with a caption along the lines that he was earning so much money he could afford to buy more Lauren shirts.

The reason this sticks in my mind was I thought it was a typo and they meant Yves Saint Laurent. How superior I felt spotting the obvious mistake. How little I knew as a fifteen year old.