When talking about POLO shirts, many people can’t help but associate them with clothing for middle-aged and elderly people and business clothing, but do you know the past and present trend of Polo Shirts?

The Origin of Polo Shirts

Polo was introduced to Britain from Persia in the 19th century when Polo was considered a kind of noble and elegant sports, mainly popular among the nobility and upper class.

Polo players wore a long-sleeved, heavy shirt. However, this traditional shirt was not comfortable and practical enough, and players needed a more flexible and comfortable kind of garments. At this time, the Polo shirt came into being.

The real Polo shirt was designed by French tennis star René Lacoste in 1926. His design inspiration and sportswear concept were associated with the aristocratic image of Polo.

Popularity among the general public

1980s: Popularity and Peak

In the 1980s, Polo shirts saw their greatest surge of popularity thanks to brands like Ralph Lauren’s promotion as high-end casual wear – something which was widely welcomed at this time. At that time, the Polo shirt symbolized fashion, taste and casual elegance.

Gradually aging

90s: Changes in the fashion world

Fashion trends started to transform during the 90s as fashion began to diversify and personalize itself with street style and minimalism taking hold. Young people’s definition of fashionable began broadening dramatically; relatively conservative Polo shirts lost favor over time among them.

As market segments diversified, several brands began repositioning Polo shirts’ targets accordingly. Because Polo shirts are comfortable, classic, and easy to care for – which make them appealing options as daily wear for the middle-aged and elderly – many brands began marketing Polo shirts specifically to this demographic, strengthening its representativeness among them further.

The new life of Polo Shirts

After becoming the representative of middle-aged and elderly clothing, the Polo shirt has been reborn in recent years through the promotion of design innovation, celebrity effect, environmental protection concept, sports and leisure style, cross-border cooperation and digital marketing. Today, the Polo shirt not only maintains its classic and practicality, but also incorporates modern fashion elements, winning the favor of young consumers again and becoming an important item that cannot be ignored in the fashion industry.

Today, athleisure is gradually becoming a fashion trend. Polo shirts, as a classic representative of sports and leisure clothing.Polo shirts, as casual clothing in daily life, are neither as casual as collarless T-shirts nor as stiff and serious as shirts. They have both a sporty style and can showcase fashion and elegance. For office workers, wearing polo shirts often carries a superior aura, with a tough and simple overall outfit that gives a good impression. It is a multifunctional clothing item suitable for different occasions and age groups to wear.