The polo shirt has become one of the most recognizable garments in modern fashion, bridging the gap between casual wear and formality. It’s a shirt that works at a golf course, in an office, or at weekend brunch, maintaining a neat look while offering comfort and flexibility.

The journey from a specialized sports garment to a global wardrobe staple is the result of innovation, practicality, and timeless design. Today’s versions, including modern slim fit polo t shirts, continue to refine what began as a revolution in athletic wear.

Understanding who invented the polo shirt requires tracing its history through the courts, fields, and fashion houses that shaped its evolution.

Origins in Early Sportswear
Before the polo shirt existed, athletes faced limited choices in apparel that balanced comfort with formality. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, tennis and polo players wore long-sleeved, button-up shirts made from stiff fabrics, such as starched cotton. These garments were formal but impractical, trapping heat and restricting movement.

The collars often flapped during play, and players frequently rolled up their sleeves or loosened buttons in search of relief. Sports such as polo and tennis demanded freedom of movement and breathability, qualities that traditional attire did not provide. The limitations of these early garments inspired a search for something new.
Players wanted clothing that respected the traditions of sport but allowed better performance. This growing need set the stage for one of the most important design shifts in athletic wear: the creation of the modern polo shirt.

René Lacoste and the Tennis Revolution
The man most often credited with inventing the modern polo shirt is René Lacoste, a French tennis player known for both his skill and innovation. During the 1920s, tennis attire still followed rigid dress codes. Players wore long trousers and starched shirts even under the heat of competition. Lacoste recognized that this approach limited performance and comfort. Seeking an alternative, he designed a new shirt that broke from tradition while meeting the functional needs of athletes.

In 1926, Lacoste debuted his creation at the U.S. Open. The shirt was made from a soft, breathable cotton piqué fabric that allowed air circulation. It had short sleeves, a flat, unstarched collar that could be turned up to protect the neck, and a longer back hem to stay tucked during play. This simple but thoughtful design immediately stood out. It allowed greater movement, absorbed sweat efficiently, and presented a clean appearance.

After retiring from tennis, Lacoste began producing the shirt commercially under his own name. He added a small embroidered crocodile logo, referencing his nickname “The Crocodile,” and the product quickly gained popularity.

The Lacoste shirt represented a new category of apparel that centered around functional sportswear that also looked polished. Its influence extended beyond tennis courts, inspiring athletes and non-athletes alike to adopt it as everyday wear.

Polo Players and the British Connection
While Lacoste introduced the shirt to tennis, British polo players were the ones who gave it its enduring name. Polo, a sport that originated in India and spread through the British Empire, had long been associated with formal uniforms. Players wore heavy, long-sleeved garments made from Oxford cloth, which were ill-suited for the sport’s vigorous movements.

After seeing the advantages of Lacoste’s lightweight design, polo players began wearing similar shirts in the 1930s. The breathable cotton fabric and short sleeves provided better comfort during play, especially in warmer climates. The crossover between tennis and polo caused the new design to be referred to as the “polo shirt,” even though it was first popularized in tennis.

As British and American manufacturers adopted the style, the name stuck. Brands like Brooks Brothers in the United States began producing their own versions, further spreading the shirt’s influence. The combination of comfort, simplicity, and versatility made it ideal for both athletic and casual use. The polo shirt soon became synonymous with understated refinement.

Ralph Lauren and the Lifestyle Rebrand
Decades after Lacoste’s innovation, the polo shirt received a new identity through designer Ralph Lauren. In 1972, Lauren launched his Polo line, featuring the now-iconic Polo Ralph Lauren shirt with its embroidered horse-and-rider logo.

While the garment itself was not new, Lauren reimagined its meaning. He linked it to aspirational American living, which featured a blend of leisure, elegance, and sport-inspired sophistication. Lauren’s interpretation turned the polo shirt from a sports uniform into a fashion symbol. It represented a lifestyle centered around quality, confidence, and understated class.

From Court to Culture
The polo shirt’s history reflects a rare combination of practicality and enduring style. From René Lacoste’s innovation on the tennis court to Ralph Lauren’s transformation of the shirt into a cultural icon, each stage in its evolution has expanded its purpose. The design has proven to be adaptable across generations, industries, and various fashion movements.