Tennis Polo Shirt is one of the most iconic pieces of sportswear that has successfully crossed over into everyday fashion. While many people associate polo shirts with the sport of polo, the modern polo shirt actually gained widespread popularity through tennis. Designed for comfort, flexibility, and breathability on the court, the tennis polo shirt quickly became a favorite among athletes and fashion enthusiasts alike.

The story behind the Tennis Polo Shirt goes back to the early 20th century when traditional tennis attire was formal, uncomfortable, and restrictive. Players needed something lighter and more practical that allowed better movement during matches. This need led to the creation of a short-sleeved, soft-collared shirt made from breathable fabric—what we now recognize as the classic polo shirt.

Today, the Tennis Polo Shirt is not just sports apparel; it has evolved into a timeless wardrobe staple worn in casual, business-casual, and athletic settings. In this article, we’ll explore how tennis influenced the design of the polo shirt and why this piece of clothing remains a global fashion essential.

Welcome back to the second installment of our series Product Of The Month (POTM). We hope you enjoyed the first one.

In our second installment, we’re exploring the classic Polo T-Shirt.

The Origin of the Tennis Polo Shirt

The tennis polo shirt has an interesting history that dates back to the early 20th century. Before the modern design existed, tennis players wore long-sleeved button-down shirts, ties, and flannel trousers, which were uncomfortable and restrictive during matches. As the sport became more competitive, players needed clothing that allowed better movement, breathability, and comfort on the court.

A major breakthrough came in the 1920s when French tennis champion René Lacoste introduced a new shirt design made from lightweight cotton piqué fabric. His short-sleeved shirt featured a soft collar and a small button placket, making it far more comfortable than traditional tennis attire. This innovative design quickly gained popularity among tennis players because it improved mobility and ventilation during games.

Over time, the tennis polo shirt moved beyond the tennis court and became a popular fashion item worn in casual and semi-formal settings. Today, it remains a timeless piece of sportswear that blends athletic performance with everyday style.

Originally A Shirt.

Polo can be traced as far back as 600 BC Persia, but the modern equestrian sport stemmed from the 19th-century British colonial period of India. British military men adopted polo from Indian natives around Manipur, a Northwest state in India and brought it back to England in 1871, and the rest was history.     

As the sport was synonymous with wealth and status, polo players wore thick long-sleeved cotton shirts with collars – similar to a dress shirt, jodhpur pants *read: fancy pants* and full-length riding boots to reflect elegance and class. But in truth, it was impractical to get up as collars were flapping and mobility with the shirts is less than ideal. There were attempts to improve the shirts, notably by John Brooks, (editor: Does Brooks Brothers sound familiar?) an American who came up with the idea of buttoning down the collar.   

The fact remains the shirt was not ideal for polo and polo players were always looking out for better alternatives.

Tennis, Lacoste, and Polo T-Shirt

Tennis uniforms or ‘whites’ in the early 1900s were just like a polo shirt – long-sleeved and buttoned-down.

In the 1926 US Open Championship, tired by the impracticality of the tennis whites, a French tennis star by the name Jean René Lacoste (Nicknamed le Crocodile) debuted a short-sleeved, 3 buttoned collared shirt made with lightweight pique cotton and an addition of a Crocodile logo on the left chest in typical French flair.  

The shirt was such a hit that polo players quickly took notice and adopted it into their sport and never looked back. The term polo shirt soon became a universal term for the tennis shirt.

The polo shirt today is truly as versatile as it gets. Smart, casual, formal and comfortable all at the same time. Wear it to the office with chinos, wear it to the beach with shorts, wear it to a wedding with a blazer or wear it to a tennis game! You decide the style.

At Saltycustoms, we would love to customize a versatile polo for you. Made sustainably and with quality fabric. Ask us how.  

Source:

https://sanvt.com/blogs/journal/the-history-of-the-polo-shirt