[AdamsSutherland]

Sutherland, I respectfully disagree with your opinion. I think that there is no better polo than Lacoste. I understand that some people think it is expensive and others prefer a tail. I do not understand the purpse of a tail. When a tail is tucked in, there is too much to tuck in the backside. When a tail is untucked, it looks bad in my opinion because it is too long. The price may be high, but quality often costs more.

They are over-priced, have an impressive proclivity to shrinkage despite careful treatment, they are not regarded as quality goods in the country of their conception, and they are no longer manufactured there, either.

So far you've said some things about the tail and a price. We have a conclusion, an assumption, and are missing any sort of evidence.

O, is it so? I must
Once in a year recount what thou hast been,
Which thou forget'st. This damn'd shirt Lacoste,
With shrinkage manifold and durability terrible
To enter thine wardrobe, from Peru,
Thou know'st, was banish'd: for one thing it did
Trads would not buy such shirts, is not this true?

I prithee,
cast light on this quality unseen, explain
how doth these shirts, in your eyes reclaim
Lost value and worth, to us, enemies again,
Alas, only an abhorrent wound
to our wallet remains.

 

[godan]

+1 for Roundtree & Yorke. I was in a Dillards at just the right time and bought several that are entering their third season in good condition. The very best match for my body is the RL Classic Fit. I'll try the BB slim fit when the sale begins on the 16th. The issue to to find polos without too much extra material in the waist that will still accommodate athletic shoulders and arms. My one try with Lacoste was a failure. I think they are better for slimmer men.

 

[Pink and Green]

Not to say this too often, but man you can beat those R&Y Gold Labels to death and they keep looking fresh.

And am I the only one who hopes he can speak to the Chinese pirates who make the Lacoste fakes all over eBay and convince them to at least copy some of the old 80's models and fits? I'd be willing to pay for SOMEONE to make me a Lacoste shirt like I remember!

Ah well. I have a plan, we'll see if it works. I can always crawl back to Land's End, where they perpetually have something on order for me it seems.

 

[hookem12387]

No one got that this poster is trolling? Or is it just being ignored in favor of polo shirt discussion? If so, I'd like to throw in that my Ralph Laurens constantly break down (holes), and my BB constantly shrink. I'm sticking to OCBDs

 

[boatshoe]

I don't mind Lacoste, though the newer polos are too wide. I don't mind the length, or lack thereof. I wear my pants at the waist and don't tuck in polo shirts. I look like a big enough nerd without having to tuck in my polo shirts to enhance that effect. My current rotation is mostly BB polo shirts, mostly just the navy blue and whites, though I do have an older American-made royal blue BB polo that is terrific. I find that some of the American-made BB polos are too wide, just like the Lacoste shirts. The current polos are better in terms of width. I think the tail looks fine untucked, as long as the shirt isn't too long.

Regarding the BB logo, most people don't even know what it is. I can't imagine what baggage people think it has. The Lacoste logo is definitely more identifiable, but it doesn't bother me to wear that either.

 

[LilacCords]

I own about a dozen RL polo shirts - Always buy Custom Fit and I think they're excellent - Note I only buy the shirts which have the Mercerized finish. This I believe makes them more durable?

The Lacoste polo's I've owned I've not enjoyed, Sleeves too Long (On short sleeved shirts) Fit too big and placket too floppy, also the buttons have had a tendency to come off.

 

[eightysixed]

I used to wear Izod Lacoste back in the late 70's and early 80's. What I remember about them are the long tennis tails, slim body, and slim sleeves reaching to about mid-bicep. I switched to Ralph Lauren when the Izods (that's what my friends and I called them) got overplayed post-OPH.

Perhaps five years ago, for old-times sake, I purchased a NOS Izod Lacoste on eBay. Everything about it was the way I remembered it. I then decided that I wanted some other colors so I went to a Lacoste store to see what they had. First thing I noticed when I tried one of the new ones on was sort of a golf shirt cut of a boxy body and longer, loose sleeves. Sizing down didn't give me what I was looking for. No long tennis tails either which I think had contributed to the old design's identity. I can't say the new shirt was bad. It was just a different shirt but with Lacoste logo on it. I don't recall there being a "slim-fit" model at the time. I passed.

 

[Taken Aback]

Speaking of other brands, Eddie Bauer still makes some nice polos.

TinTin had some interesting things to say about them.

Does anyone know of any companies that still make "Made in France" polo shirts?

Aren't Lacoste sold in France still made there?

When Izod left, the LaCoste shirts went down hill..

Usually, the reverse is said.

Many posts above echo my feelings. Plus I continue to sympathize with P&G in his quest. Those 80's ones were really great.

 

[Coleman]

No one got that this poster is trolling?

I don't always immediately conclude as such, but he is hitting the ol' trolldar.

 

[Ron_A]

I have several Lacoste polos, but they are too short and too expensive. I've also noticed that the quality isn't quite as good as it was just a few years ago when Lacoste first reappeared on the scene, so to speak, here in the U.S. The fabric is thinner and the shirts seem to shrink more. I won't be buying more.

I wear polos a lot during the spring and summer, and mainly wear RL Polo and BB polos. The LE polos also are good quality and are a real steal at $19.99 or whatever LE is charging these days. If I was more frugal, I would wear the LE polos exclusively, but I have been wearing RL polos since the early 80s and am drawn to them by force of habit.

 

[TheWGP]

Whether or not trolling is going on, this has been a very informative and interesting discussion!

As for my (thread-killing?) thoughts, I have six brands:

1) Vineyard Vines (bash away!) I only have one, a recent acquisition. Fits me pretty well, softer fabric than the "rough" feel of some. Can't speak as to longevity, but I'm planning to acquire more if the opportunity presents itself. (size XL, thrifters! :icon_smile_wink

2) Brooks Brothers, have three - one is solid color, rougher feel, and I don't wear it as much. The other two are softer and more dressy, with collars that have stood up better - so they see a good bit of wear. Some people seem to like BB knits, and others don't - if the rough, floppy-collar one was the only BB polo I'd seen, I wouldn't like them either!

3) RL - have two or three, can't remember if I got rid of the oldest one yet or not. That oldest one I've had (formerly had?) since high school - probably 7-8 years now, and it's definitely about had it, collar flopping and it's faded. It's seen hard wear, though, so I would actually consider this good. The other two are about 2 years old - got them to wear at a summer gig, and they still look great and fit nicely. Did have some issues finding appropriate fit - apparently I'm right between an XL and XXL in RL polos!

4) Lacoste - Have one vintage Izod by Lacoste that I got recently at a thrift, and have worn twice - it's great. This thing stays tucked in like a tank, better than anything else I have would be my first impression. It's got to be at least 20+ years old, so I'm impressed it's held up so well.

5) Eddie Bauer - I'm down to one of these, what can I say? Not worth buying new in any possible world, and even thrifting you should probably pass.

6) Roundtree & Yorke Gold Label - I have three of these, purchased about a year ago. They've held up much better than I thought they would - I was actually at Dillard's to buy a couple more RL polos, and got these on clearance instead. The R&Y GL brand across the board tends to be better than your average department store brand - they don't have super-fab makers like Nordstrom's or someone making their store brand, but R&Y GL stuff is not even a cousin of your Alfani or Merona or Geoffery Beene in ANY way. I have their dress shirts and even a suit - the suit's made in Korea but is half-canvassed with great detailing and fabric quality, while the shirts are great daily-wears that my wife can't tell from my (normal range - not double cuff/luxury) Brooks Brothers shirts. Anyway, I digress... yes, buy R&Y GL polos on sale/clearance if you're looking for polos that hold up and don't break the bank, but don't make some of the compromises present in modern Lacoste, J.Crew, Eddie Bauer, etc, etc... they fit and have nicer fabric to boot.

I can't comment on the buttons (MOP/plastic) for any of these, never having inspected too closely - there being only two (sometimes three) buttons on a polo, I just don't care all that much! :icon_smile_big:

 

[raincoat]

 

[TheWGP]

^ Wrong thread? Looks like a "fantasm" to me so long as she's 18! :icon_smile_big:

 

[Taken Aback]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contra_(album)

Thought that was Pamela Stehpenson at first.

5) Eddie Bauer - I'm down to one of these, what can I say? Not worth buying new in any possible world, and even thrifting you should probably pass.

I'll admit, I haven 't acquired any in a season or two, but the ones I did get were quite good. They're logo free mesh and were available in solids and stripes. They've been through quite a few washes, and hold up.

When did you purchase yours?

 

[TheWGP]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contra_(album)

Thought that was Pamela Stehpenson at first.

I'll admit, I haven 't acquired any in a season or two, but the ones I did get were quite good. They're logo free mesh and were available in solids and stripes. They've been through quite a few washes, and hold up.

When did you purchase yours?

It's probably been four-five years, I got maybe five of them within a year or so. I think it's maybe more a case that I've moved on to better polos. The others have given up the ghost in the collar, mostly - they were being worn more often than I wear polos now, so that's undoubtedly part of it, and with no attention to care instructions whatsoever. The one I have left is stripes with some kind of brownish design in between - it's kind of odd, actually, and sees less wear, which is probably why it's survived. Not sure why I got that design, to be honest - don't even remember where I got it, it definitely was not an Eddie Bauer store, but I wasn't actively thrifting then either... hrmm.

At any rate, I would say that for the money, you can find better options.

 

[Taken Aback]

Well, I believe I got the ones I have on clearance from a store (last in the city ). I'm fairly sure they were less than $10 each. Can't say I was robbed even if they were as you say, but mine have fared better than yours.

 

[TheWGP]

Well, I believe I got the ones I have on clearance from a store (last in the city ). I'm fairly sure they were less than $10 each. Can't say I was robbed even if they were as you say, but mine have fared better than yours.

If that's all you paid, then you got a great deal! They aren't BAD, just not as good as other options IMO. Granted, my opinion is skewed by the ONE I have left vs. lots of others, and I completely mis-treated those polos when I had them (pre-sf-aaac-mature-dressing-days).

 

[OldSchoolCharm]

Lacoste - Have one vintage Izod by Lacoste that I got recently at a thrift, and have worn twice - it's great. This thing stays tucked in like a tank, better than anything else I have would be my first impression. It's got to be at least 20+ years old, so I'm impressed it's held up so well.

I hope the new Lacoste holds up as well as your 20+ year old Lacoste.

Most people think the new Lacoste is greatly improved over the old Izod.

 

[Taken Aback]

Well, regardless of actual workmanship and quality, the old IZOD/Lacoste polos were "Made in France" and that carries weight with many. Few (if any) are made there now.

 

[philidor]

I was watching the movie Class on hulu last night, and couldn't help but notice how preppy Lacoste was in the 1980's. I wonder if Lacoste is still as popular, because I do not see many people wearing Lacoste today. In the movie, the Rob Lowe character has at least two different Lacoste polos, and it goes well with his Porsche and his mansion.

Looking at my Lacoste polo, I love the mother of pearl buttons. I love the little alligator. The fabric feels much nicer than anything else for $100. I can tell Lacoste used the best of everything to make this polo. I want to fill my closet with more Lacoste polos for the summer.

What impressions are there of Lacoste polos? Is it making a comeback? Will we ever see as many people wearing Lacoste as we see people wearing Ralph Lauren?

Personally, I prefer Marc Jacobs:

https://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446238922&afsrc=1&site_refer=GGLBASE001&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=ParentItem0421819943539

They have reduced the price since I bought it It's a shame that there is a reduction in price since it was worth the $90.00+ I have spent. They are very soft so I would recommend them. Plus, they have tennis tails.

Although Lacoste is still comfortable, durable, and worth expending the capital on. The problem with Ralph Lauren is that pretty much everyone wears it (I blame Marshall's) since they sell at a large discount. Although the polos they do have are of a lower quality than the ones you can purchase at Macy's for roughly $70.00 (or $40.00 when on sale)

p.s.: The Lacoste logo is a crocodile.