Posts with tag polo

As you've probably noticed, we're all about celebrity designers here at Style List, but somehow we never have very high expectations for their output. The latest collaboration between REM's Michael Stipe and classic high-end designer Lacoste is no exception. According to Rolling Stone, Stipe has put his creative touch on a new line of Lacoste's alligator-encrusted tennis shirts, and they're uhh -- how should we put this -- a little fugly unique.

We know it seems like a strange time to take a break from reality and practice the blissful escapism that is the American dream -- but why the hell not fantasize about a martini shaker that you totally can't afford. This entire week, we've been daydreaming about retardedly expensive luxury items like Louis Vuitton yachts. Maybe it's the turmoil in the financial markets, or maybe this Ralph Lauren cocktail shaker really would make martinis taste $275 better than the ones at Target.

We can tell you one thing for sure -- pouring a martini from this leather-wrapped cocktail shaker would make you look a lot more like James Bond. Might even make important people crowd around you at parties. It certainly looks a lot more like our vision of the American dream. The one where we float around on a yacht all day wearing Polo shirts, drinking martinis with JFK and fixing the world's problems all day.

For $295, it better turn Smirnoff into Grey Goose.

[via HauteConcept]

Sure, most people aren't going to appreciate the artistic value of eyeball tattoos. Nor are they going to respect the low level of commitment or risk displayed by getting a tattoo on the inside of your mouth. But what about these corporate logo tattoos?

As our friends at Lemondrop recently picked up on, there seems to be a growing trend among hardcore fashionistas: commemorating their favorite designers in the form of skin art. One guy even has the Ralph Lauren polo player tattooed on his chest -- presumably underneath the more common stitched version. Sure, Chanel's shoes are fashionable, but is it really fashionable to wear the double C logo on your foot? Or is it brand loyalty gone wrong?

Aren't tattoos supposed to represent something personal -- like documenting clues to your wife's mysterious murder? Wait, that's from Memento. Seriously though, we can totally understand how much people identify with fashion designers, but aren't their commercial icons better left to the outside of their clothing?

[via Lemondrop]

Haven't you ever walked by a store window, or seen an ad for something and thought, "Boy, I'd like to buy that right now without setting foot in a store"? Ralph Lauren is working hard to make that happen, by launching into mobile commerce (m-commerce) which will allow potential consumers to scan a code on a display, ad, or mailer with their phones and shop for the Polo items they adore.

To do this, the company will use Quick Response Technology, which is already popular in Asia and Europe. This makes Polo the first luxury retailer in the U.S. to do so.

We told you that Ralph Lauren was chosen to outfit the 1,500 or so athletes representing the United States at this year's Olympics in Beijing, but we didn't realize that the patriotic designer was making a lineup for Team USA zealots. Now, we can show our support for our nation's athletes by shelling out $125 to Ralph Lauren for an official US 2008 polo shirt. Go capitalism!

If you happen to be one of those people who likes to wear polos that are absolutely covered in official-looking badges and symbols -- you're in luck. The Olympic Games Collection is pretty much covered up in embroidered junk. Honestly, we're really not so fond of that type of thing. We're especially not fond of the giant Chinese characters on the front of this shirt that translate to "Beijing." Put the Chinese characters for "America kicks ass," and we'll wear that shirt with pride. We might even get the slogan tattooed -- on our teeth.

[via SeeJackShop]

Whit Honea is a slacker, a borderline degenerate, and a daydream believer. He's also our resident expert on casual chic. If it's comfortable, and not heinous, he's all over it. He's quite charming, really.

Attus Apparel, the guys that brought you these wonderful polos and current world record holder for the most popped collars worn at one time (23) have finally gone green. It was a long time coming.

The year's US Olympic team will be sporting preppy styles and miniature polo players. That's according to an announcement yesterday that none other than Ralph Lauren himself will be outfitting the Team USA during the opening ceremony. That is, if the torch makes it there in tact.

Ralph and Co. are taking over the project after the USOC ended its lovefest with Canadian fashion shop Roots Ltd. -- which has had the contract for the last 3 Olympics. Apparently, the committee was looking for something a little more formal for this year's Olympians. The head officer of the USOC told Lauren that his inspiration for this year is Chariots of Fire, so expect lots of V-neck sweaters and blue sport coats.

I've never been a fan of logos, designer labels, or any of that crap, unless it's something sarcastic like a middle finger -- and then it's only kinda cool. So it's no surprise that I can't stand this ridiculous new logo for Ralph Lauren's high end line, Purple Label. Look, I'm OK with the small and inconspicuous polo player -- because I've seen it all my life -- but this new one is just ugly and over the top.

A multi-color, oversized logo of a polo player riding a leaping horse? Really? I thought RL might have better taste than that, especially on a shirt that's over $200. I think that might be even worse than The Big Pony collection that features giant versions of the original logo. Maybe RL has been spending too much time thinking about that over-hyped American Living Collection.

Logos never make clothing look better and, more often than not, they just screw up whatever the design had going for it in the first place. The only place for a logo as far as I'm concerned is inside the collar. If I paid $245 for a polo shirt, the last thing I'd want to do is lease out part of my shirt for advertising space.

Buy for $245
[via ManoloMen]

Instant preppiness can be achieved by simply donning a polo shirt (or tennis shirt or golf shirt, whatever term tickles your fancy). My favorite way to wear a polo is with grungy jeans and messy accessories, because I guess I'm into that weird juxtaposed look.

Lacoste is probably the most popular brand for this shirt, and rightfully so. René Lacoste was a French tennis player, working when the sport's players still had to compete while wearing suits and ties. Looking for a creative alternative to their traditional stuffy attire, Lacoste created what we now know as the polo shirt -- he used it as a tennis shirt, obviously -- and started his own line of clothing: Gucci.

No, I'm just kidding, it was Lacoste. I was just testing you, see?

Other popular polo shirts come from Ralph Lauren's Polo line and just about any other place on the face of this earth that sells Western clothing. Seriously, polo shirts are everywhere. Also, it's tough to go wrong with a polo shirt, as long as it's not too baggy and fits close to the body. Honestly, it's just a glorified knit shirt, darlings.

Fun fact: Before annoying rich kids in high school made it look obnoxious, flipping the collar up on a polo shirt was not for fashion, but for function. Wearing the collar up would protect the wearer's neck from the sun during outdoor games.

First there was the classic Ralph Lauren Polo pony, then there was the pony on steroids, otherwise known as the Big Pony. Now the polo pony logo has gone through the cloning machine. The latest Ralph Lauren shirt is the Polo Match shirt which has three oversized polo players on the front. The shirt also has a number 3 patch on the right sleeve and a vented hem with grosgrain trim. The multi pony shirt sells for $98.

Yep, the sore throat is official, and though clearly I shouldn't dare go out in public with all my germs, if I had to (and techincally, I have to for the final day of LA's Fashion Week), I'd be sporting yet another turtleneck sweater dress. Not surprisingly, the temperature here in LA has gone up, hitting the 80s in some places, so this sleeveless "Adelina" sweater dress from Ralph Lauren is quite apropos. The dress is made from cashmere jersey, comes in a fawn heather color, and has a similar color "RLL" monogram. Since it does get slightly chilly at night, the Alberta shawl collar cardigan is a great finshing layer.

The dress is on sale for $154.99 from the Ralph Lauren website. The cardigan is also on sale, $199.99.

I think we're all aware that companies such as J. Crew, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, and Joseph A. Banks offer not only huge selections of men's ties, but very good looking ties, too. But a glance at the price tag the ties these companies offer can make your wallet cringe, with prices reaching over $100 in some cases.

Take this plain silver tie from J. Crew -- $50. Or this black and blue tie from Polo -- $100!

At one point in my life, I had the mindset never to skimp on any part of a suit, especially ties, thinking that the more expensive my get-up, the better I'd look. But I've since gotten over that, and discovered that like most aspects of apparel, it's not necessary to spend the big bucks on ties.

So, in order to save money on ties, don't go to the mall and shop at the big retailers. I recommend checking out T.J. Maxx -- there's a huge selection of ties at great prices. They've got the same brands as the big guys, but the prices rarely get over $15. If you don't have a T.J. Maxx, try Men's Wearhouse -- not the famous brands, but good looking ties at good prices.

Yesterday, I learned that those signs posted above intersections that exclaim "Photo-Enforced" aren't just a joke. And in honor of receiving this mailed-to-your-door citation, we're going to celebrate the color red (which means STOP!). Yes, red can be quite the "Hey, look at me!" color, but with proper taste, it can be worn (and accessorized) with success.

Here's a few ways to porte le rouge and look darn good. This cashmere crewneck sweater from Polo, which, I admit, is beyond the typical budget. But hey, it's slick. (And they say it's "saffron heather," not red. The color is very similar to that red light that I ran, however). And this old-school English tie from J. Crew sure is red, yet still classy.

And finally, this Ferrari-branded laptop computer. It's not completely red, but the mere mention of Ferrari screams red. (Somehow I don't think I've learned my lesson.)

So watch out for those intersection cameras. They even send you a picture of you driving through the intersection, so hopefully you'll now know to be wearing red.

I cannot reasonably condone the wearing of giant Ralph Lauren logos. I'm told I'm not alone on this point, so I'll just go ahead and say it: the big pony is lame! But we'll all hold our tongues for the month. October is, after all, Breast Cancer Awareness Month. So go ahead, buy yourself a Ralph Lauren's Pink Pony Slim-Fit Tee. You know you want a shirt that screams, "Hey, man, I'm wearing RALPH LAUREN and I CARE ABOUT OTHERS!" We won't complain. But if we do, just remind us that a portion of the money you spent on the shirt is going to support programs, which offer detection, treatment and rehab services for under-served communities. And that should shut us up, I promise.

Lacoste has been going through a big brand revitalization lately. The brand, which had been moldering since the preppy heyday of the 1980s is suddenly, surprisingly relevant once more. One of the ways they are breathing life into the old reptile is by creating innovative new partnerships. This fall they have a new Holiday Collector's Series and have worked with lighting and furniture designer Tom Dixon to create two unique polo shirts. The Techno Polo is woven with steel and lurex fibers to create more urban and edgy version of the classic crocodile shirt. His Eco polo uses natural indigo dyes and organic cotton. The sleek packaging was also designed by Dixon. The shirts are available in select Lacoste boutiques.