Despite the jumble of confusing names, the men’s shirt crafted and popularized by René Lacoste, is without confusion, one of the most iconic shirts of our day. Over the years, it has evolved to incorporate different patterns and cuts. Yet the pique cotton fabric and Lacoste’s design itself has come to be loved and admired the world over by both rival clothing brands and men and women who like its simplicity and practicality.

And who is the streetwise city guy who can afford to miss the stretchable cuffs, the soft collar that can be turned up easily to ward off the sun, and the breathable fabric? Originally aimed at making sporting clothes an aid to the game instead of a hindrance, these style of mens shirts are now produced all over the world and for serious business people too. Those who wear it come from all backgrounds: from those who will stay outdoors the whole day, to those who will be in airconditioned rooms, to those who do not abide by business casual dress codes, yet are not allowed to wear tee shirts. While the pique cotton makes it a hit among those working under the sun, it really blends in the office; it may be more casual than a buttoned-down shirt, but its still definitely top-notch looking.

Maybe this also explains why the golfing world adopted and absorbed what was originally known as the tennis shirt. The prestige and glamor of this sport certainly has benefited from the likes of José María Olazábal and Colin Montgomerie sporting the headturning crocodilian logo on their shirts. And who can forget the shortlived Izod partnership that further focused the limelight on the original makers of this type of men’s shirts? Or the Le Tigre brand that sought to split in two the French brand’s market, to no avail, and which had the opposite effect on Lacoste’s luxury name?

To take a walk through the city is to meet today how a French’s idea of functionality influences style. In the offices, young guns and the Old Guard on the run from the attire police try to play it safe in plain colored shirts. Students at the university like to wear their form-fitting tennis shirts with the sleeves way shorter than what was fashionable years ago; as the summer heats up, so too, do the bright patterns they wear. Even the ladies pay homage to it through pastel colors that sometimes have a simple v-neck cut where the compulsory buttons are. And the rank and file in companies sometimes have it for their uniforms, with the company name embroidered on it as always. Not bad from something that carried the following tagline when released for the first time: “the status symbol of the competent sportsman.”

Ties and Tuxedos