Before fashion designers came on the scene, tennis players wore two-piece uniforms that created discomfort caused by playing matches outdoors under hot and humid weather conditions.
Because of the uncomfortable feel and unsightly appearance of the two-piece tennis uniform, Rene Lacoste designed the first polo shirt. What started as an all-white short sleeve tennis shirt morphed into athletic apparel that came in a wider variety of styles and colors.
The Classic Wholesale Polo Shirt
By the 1960s, Lacoste’s polo shirts became available in women’s and children’s sizes. Marketers eventually convinced consumers to wear polo shirts for other recreational activities, including golf and rugby. With a hem that created the illusion of height and super soft pique cotton fabric that delivered all-day comfort, wholesale polo shorts became the highest selling short and long sleeve shirt worn for athletic competitions.
World-renowned Ralph Lauren designed a version of the classic polo in 1972 that introduced the iconic shirt to consumers in search of a stylish look at social events. Polo shirts entered the casual apparel market with a bang in the 1980s and to this day, the jersey polo vision set forth by Rene Lacoste has turned into a short and long sleeve polo designed for virtually every occasion.
Why the Short and Long Sleeve Polo Shirt Remains Relevant Today
The short answer to this question is how apparel designers such as Ralph Lauren have expanded the uses for the classic wholesale shirt. From its origins as athletic apparel, the polo has become a fashion staple for casual wear and even a mix and match shirt to wear at upscale social events. The polo’s great versatility makes the shirt one of the best bargains of any other type of apparel made for both men and women.
Let’s look at a few other reasons why the classic wholesale polo shirt will never go out of style.