The Polo Shirt

Embodying a chic casualness and ease that is uniquely American, the iconic Polo shirt has become a cool cultural symbol, worn by everyone from movie stars and presidents to athletes and artists.

Whether worn layered and with the collar up in a classic preppy style, dressed up under an elegant suit jacket, or open and untucked in a relaxed display of casual chic, the Polo shirt has come to embody the optimism and confidence of American style.
Seen through the lens of the many photographers who have been capturing people wearing the shirt, each in their own expressive ways, for nearly fifty years, The Polo Book is a fascinating look at the enduring cultural cool of a wardrobe staple. From the timeless look of the white Polo forty-eight colors (and color combinations), the shirt is designed to be versatile, proving itself adaptable to a variety of effortlessly stylish looks.
It all originated in the early 1970s when Ralph Lauren couldn't find a good knit shirt in the colors he wanted. So he invented one, hitting upon the perfect waffle weave that would wear and weather well, in distinctive colors that would only look better with age. In the process he created a classic that spans the worlds of fashion, sports, politics, film, art, music, and even royalty, who have given it star power and a certain status all over the world.
Whether worn layered and with the collar up in a classic preppy style, dressed up under an elegant suit jacket, or open and untucked in a relaxed display of casual chic, the Polo shirt has come to embody the optimism and confidence of American style.
To celebrate the many colors the Polo shirt has been offered in over the years, the book's cover is clothed in the texture of the waffle-weave knit and is offered in six different classic colors.

Ralph Lauren began his career in 1967, designing neckties under the label Polo. Today, his collections include menswear, womenswear, accessories, fragrance, and home. He has received numerous awards for his work in fashion, philanthropy, and humanitarian causes and is the only designer to receive the CFDA's four highest honors: Womenswear Designer of the Year, Menswear Designer of the Year, Retailer of the Year, and Lifetime Achievement.