Lacoste’s iconic shirt gets a subtle new look for MR PORTER’s Vive La France collection.

Trends come and go, but there are certain clothes that endure. The polo shirt may not be the most groundbreaking of designs, but at the start of the 1930s, it didn’t exist. It was designed by Mr René Lacoste in 1933 after he found traditional tennis whites too heavy and restricting. His new iteration of the polo shirt was short-sleeved, comfortable and crafted from soft and breathable piqué cotton. It also looked good, which is how it found its way off the tennis court and into the wardrobes of men who wanted something sportier than a button-up shirt but smarter than a T-shirt.

It wasn’t long before the style was appropriated by other brands, but the original was recognisable by a certain reptile the designer adopted as his logo. Mr Lacoste, who was known for his tenacity on the tennis court, was nicknamed the crocodile by the American press. He embraced the moniker when he began designing clothes, emblazoning them with the green crocodile that is now synonymous with the brand.

To celebrate Lacoste’s heritage, the brand has given its iconic crocodile emblem a quintessentially French update. The makeover is subtle, but it is sporting a beret. Exclusive to MR PORTER as part of our Vive La France collection, the polo shirt comes in six classic shades. As far as wearing one goes, do as Mr Lacoste did and keep the rest of your outfit relaxed yet sophisticated. We suggest a pair of preppy chinos from Incotex and some clean white sneakers from fellow French brand J.M. Weston. If you want to smarten things up, forgo socks and swap the sneakers for a pair of polished penny loafers. Eighty-five years on, the polo shirt still toes the line between smart, sporty and comfortable. Which is why it was invented, after all.