The Ralph Lauren Polo: Quintessential Cornerstone of American Style

The story begins in 1967 on Madison Avenue, when a young men’s clothing salesman expressed his desire to create his own ties. Amused by such naivete, his employer told him that the time for Ralph Lauren had not yet come, a mockery that he took for a compliment. Less than a year later, what would become an empire was born. But it wasn’t until 1972 that the iconic polo made an appearance and enjoyed the success that it has ever since.

Before its revival and transformation by Ralph Lauren, the polo was the uniform of choice for practitioners of the famous equestrian sport, due to its turned-down collar that stayed flat during matches. By choosing a polo horseman as its logo, the brand aimed to pay homage to the discipline that inspired it. Made to conserve its initial proportions over a long term, the Ralph Lauren polo is as durable as it is timeless. Initially released in 24 colors, the polo is today available in a large palette of colors. But you also have to count its three different cuts (classic, custom, slim), numerous variants, and limited editions with a personalization service for the most demanding of customers to top off this almost unlimited number of offerings, both for men and women.

Beyond just its technical and aesthetic aspects that already suffice to make it an iconic piece, the true value of a Ralph Lauren polo consists of bringing its wearer into a select club. Often associated in the collective imagination with a preppy, Ivy League style, this club is actually none other than that of the brand itself. It’s not just a classic or a must-have for any self-respecting wardrobe, but also a distinctive sign marking your belonging to this group as well as its associated lifestyle. The polo alone incarnates the entire philosophy of the American way of life, giving preference to quality basics, easy to mix and match between them and always assuring daily elegance in the most casual of ways. This famed polo will soon be coming out in its tennis version for Wimbledon, spearheading a collection inspired by English chic and in particular that of players from the 20s.