History of the Polo Shirt In the 19th century, British soldiers that were stationed in Manipur, a north-western state in India, adopted the sport of polo from local natives and brought it back to England after their tour of duty. Once returning to the United Kingdom, polo quickly became associated with the upper-class and British royalty. In the 19th century, the original polo uniform consisted of a long sleeve shirt, jodhpur pants and full-length horse riding boots. However, players at the time would fasten their shirt collars down using pins or buttons to stop them flapping around as they played. While visiting the UK, John E. Brooks of Brooks Brothers menswear fame noticed the latest fashion trend and brought it to the US to create the first mass-marketed polo, “The Original Button-Down Polo Shirt” in 1896. The next to further the design of the polo shirt was Jean René Lacoste. In the early 20th century, like polo players, tennis players also used to wear thick cotton long sleeve shirts. After years of playing in the uncomfortable shirts, Lacoste decided to design his own short sleeve, three-button shirt made from breathable pique cotton. The new shirt design was quickly adopted by other players due to its comfort and improved freedom of movement. After Lacoste retired in the early 1930s, he decided to work with André Gillier, a leading French knitwear designer to reproduce his famous short sleeve shirt for the public. Over the next years, the polo shirt sharply rose in popularity, in particular with sportspeople and as part of new preppy styles. It's popularity expanded from polo and tennis into golf when US President Dwight Eisenhower was seen wearing a polo shirt in 1953. Although the polo shirt has been reimagined and enhanced by designers from around the world since Lacoste’s launch, it continues to offer a timeless, sporty style. What are Polo Shirts Made From? While the original polo shirt was made from heavy, thick cotton, modern polos are created from a wide range of materials. At GAZMAN, we offer our polo shirts in three distinct fabrics: Cotton: Soft and breathable, our cotton polo shirts blend comfort and casual style. Pique knit: Characterised by the textured, three-dimensional waffle look, our pique polo shirts offer superb comfort in a timeless sporty look. Mercerised: Featuring soft Egyptian cotton, our mercerised polos have had their yarn processed multiple times to increase their strength and lustre. How to Wear a Polo Shirt? Bridging the gap between a casual t-shirt and a slightly more formal short sleeve shirt, a polo shirt can be easily dressed up or down to suit most casual and smart casual occasions. While often worn casually, polos are still very much part of golf and tennis sporting attire. Off the field, polos suit a wide range of occasions, from gathering with friends, Casual Fridays in the office and nights out on the town. Casual Look A polo can be easily worn for any casual occasion, from outdoor barbeques with friends to trips to the shops. They easily match with casual shorts in the summer or jeans and sneakers in the winter. In the cooler months, you can comfortably layer your polo with a casual jacket for a smart look. Polos that feature brighter colours, stripes and prints on them are also a fun way to show off your personality and casual look. Smart Casual Look Depending on the occasion, a polo shirt is a great way to create a comfortable, sporty smart causal look. Darker coloured polos in navy, grey, black and pristine white are perfect for creating a polished look alongside a pair of chinos or trousers. For a smart look, you can layer your polo with a sports jacket or knit for extra warmth. Tips for Wearing Polo Shirts Don’t wear a t-shirt or another polo under your polo shirt as it creates excess bulkiness under your neat look Avoid popping the collar of your polo shirt unless you are using it to temporarily protect your neck from the sun Depending on the occasion, feel free to tuck in your polo shirt. Tucking it in offers a more formal look compared to having it untucked. Shop our full range of men’s polo shirts at GAZMAN now.