Vintage Polo Shirts

[Oldsarge]

Whatever gave you the idea that it isn't sartorially accepted? I shall be wearing that exact combination to church tomorrow. The look is one that Alan Flusser recommends in the last chapter of Dressing the Man under the heading of upscale business casual. Wear it without guilt.

 

[Brevetti]

I actually quite like this combination, thought it's not something that I regularly wear. I recall Don Draper wearing this outfit somewhere in season two, when he visits Anna in California. It looked really great on him.

http://imgur.com/ogr2C

 

[Chasseur]

I think is a good business casual look, I do it often for travel in warm weather.

Heck, it was good enough for Bogey!

There is also some great photos of Cary Grant with this look while balancing a ball on his head but I cannot find that photo now...

 

[Hal]

...with a sport coat and polo shirt...a general combination that I never really considered. I always thought of blazers or sports coats as more formal, meant to go with dress clothes, and polo shirts as more casual wear.

I think that this look can work, and that is a thousand times better than the open-necked-shirt with blazer or sports jacket (a look I loathe - even worse when it's a suit with open-necked shirt) that is all too often seen today.
In my opinion, adding a jacket does NOT dress up a casual ensemble in the least. With a polo shirt, the jacket adds another layer but does not increase the formality. I realise that many will disagree with me on this.

 

[esteban68]

Hmm in the warmer weather maybe with a linen coat? I've tried it a couple of times over here in the UK with a polo and a light tweed jacket but often the tweed itches my forearm/wrist area and to me at least it really doesn't 'feel' right.

 

[Hal]

Hmm in the warmer weather maybe with a linen coat? I've tried it a couple of times over here in the UK with a polo and a light tweed jacket but often the tweed itches my forearm/wrist area and to me at least it really doesn't 'feel' right.

If the tweed jacket is lined, and/or if the polo-shirt is long-sleeved, that problem should be overcome. The look was quite common in the early 1960s.

 

[Flat Foot Floey]

I recently saw this post at the Art of Manliness, How to Dress for the Kentucky Derby, which has a nice graphic showing four different styles of dress. The last one, with a sport coat and polo shirt was a general combination that I never really considered. I always thought of blazers or sports coats as more formal, meant to go with dress clothes, and polo shirts as more casual wear.

One should read "The Kentucky Derby Is Decadent and Depraved" by Hunter S. Thompson and it all makes sense.

 

[The Good]

If the tweed jacket is lined, and/or if the polo-shirt is long-sleeved, that problem should be overcome. The look was quite common in the early 1960s.

As for early '60s, I think you're right. One reference that comes to mind is in a film I've seen recently, The Explosive Generation by Roger Corman, with William Shatner sporting the look:

 

[Chaps]

I am wearing the blue blazer (with pocket square) and yellow polo shirt combo today. I have worn this type of combination for years.

Danny

 

[Dronak]

Thanks for the responses. It sounds like this combination is fine, and using it may give my blazer some more use. I don't think it will become a regular thing for me, like wearing a hat has become, but it will be nice to have as an additional option.

 

[Flat Foot Floey]

Is this a polo shirt?

 

[Oldsarge]

If it has not pocket, yes. If it does, it's a golf shirt. Nit-picking, I know, but that's what it was originally. Golf shirts have pockets to keep your score card and pencil in. No need for pockets in polo.

 

[Chasseur]

Floey,

Do you still have a copy of that great Cary Grant photo where he is balancing the ball on his head?

 

[kyboots]

One should read "The Kentucky Derby Is Decadent and Depraved" by Hunter S. Thompson and it all makes sense.

Hunter Thompson was certainly a unique individual also from Louisville, and he understood the term decadent! The Polo Shirt/ sport coat look is pretty typical summer wear here in Louisville and is OK for the grandstand, but don't wear it on millionaires' row!

 

[Flat Foot Floey]

Floey,

Do you still have a copy of that great Cary Grant photo where he is balancing the ball on his head?

Didn't read this earlier. Here it is.

 

[randooch]

Isn't that a Honey-Crisp apple? He may be summoning the spirit of William Tell.

 

[Stanley Doble]

Sport coat and cotton polo shirt, tennis shirt or golf shirt was correct sports wear or casual summer wear from the thirties on. I'm thinking of the soft cotton shirt with 3 button placket popularized by Lacoste and similar garments.

 

[Chasseur]

Danke Floey! Its a great photo.

I love those two-tone sports shoes he has...

 

[feltfan]

Seems like most of the suggestions here are no longer available. Can't find a source for
Cushman or Bobby Jones or Marksies and the RL and BB offerings are pretty weak these days.

I have an old, heavy cotton rugby shirt from Scotland Yard which, it appears, is no longer
in business. If anyone has a suggestion for a heavy cotton rugby shirt please post.

 

[Albert.Tatlock]

I Think 'Fred Perry' Polo shirts are pretty smart
http://www.fredperry.com/heritage/