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Some clothes chase trends. The Ralph Lauren Polo shirt just quietly outlasts them. Introduced in 1972 in 24 hues, it offered more colour choices than any other brand at the time, and it has been a wardrobe fixture ever since.
This is the shirt the Museum of Modern Art put on display in its landmark exhibition, Items: Is Fashion Modern?, naming it one of the most important pieces of clothing of the past several decades. You can wear that heritage yourself, in a colour that suits you, and pick one up for the whole family at the same time. If you are hunting for a present, it also earns a place alongside our Father’s Day gift guide.
Ready to find yours? The full Polo shirt range covers men, women, boys and girls, with hundreds of custom combinations on top.
The Ralph Lauren Polo Shirt
The Ralph Lauren Polo shirt is the original that every other version copies. First released in 1972 in 24 hues, finished with pearl buttons and the signature polo player embroidery at the chest, it has since appeared on Ralph Lauren womenswear runways, arrived at the 2005 US Open as the Big Pony style, and become a fixture across the Olympics, Paralympics and Australian Open.
Today the Polo shirt comes for men, women, boys and girls, in a rainbow of colours spanning seven style worlds. Choose your shade, or build a one-off with the made-to-order Custom Polo, and shop the Polo shirt in the colour you have always wanted.
- Collar: Compactly knit to sit high on the neck and resist stretching
- Buttons: Cross-stitched for durability on a placket refined to lay flat
- Shoulder seam: Reinforced to resist natural wear
- Cuff: Rib-knit, tailored to complement the bicep
- Available for: Men, women, boys and girls, plus a made-to-order Custom Polo
How to Choose Your Ralph Lauren Polo Shirt
Start with the colour world that fits your life. The Ralph Lauren Polo shirt is offered across distinct themes, from Classic White and Equestrian to Sport, Destination, Nautical, Outdoor and University, so there is a version for the office, the club and the weekend. Pair a plain Polo with tailored trousers and the look is sorted, and our guide to the best men’s chinos covers the bottom half.
Next, think about construction. Look for the compactly knit collar that sits high and resists stretching, the cross-stitched buttons on a placket refined to lay flat, and the reinforced shoulder seam built to resist wear. If you want something no one else has, the made-to-order Custom Polo is hand-finished in hundreds of combinations. Compare the options across the Ralph Lauren Polo range before you commit.
Ralph Lauren Polo Shirt FAQs
It was introduced in 1972 in 24 hues, more colour choices than any other brand at the time, and the Museum of Modern Art later featured it in its landmark exhibition Items: Is Fashion Modern? as one of the most important pieces of clothing of the past several decades.
The range spans a rainbow of hues across seven style worlds: Classic White, Equestrian, Sport, Destination, Nautical, Outdoor and University. The signature Polo shirt first launched in 24 hues back in 1972.
Yes. The Custom Polo is made to order for each customer, carefully knit, individually created and hand-finished, and it is available in hundreds of combinations for men and women.
Wash on a cooler setting with the shirt turned inside out and the collar popped, air-dry it on a padded hanger away from harsh sunlight, and avoid tumble drying. Some Polo shirts use delicate fabrics that need hand washing or dry cleaning, so always check the care label.
In September 2000, Ralph Lauren launched the Pink Pony initiative, using the Polo shirt as an aid in the fight against cancer. Limited-edition Polo shirts have since supported other causes, including disaster relief efforts and LGBTQIA+ pride.
Yes. The Polo shirt is available for men, women, boys and girls, so you can dress the whole household in the same icon.
A colour for every mood, construction built to last and a place in the Museum of Modern Art: the Polo shirt earns its icon status. Pick your shade across the Ralph Lauren Polo range, and dress the whole family while you are there.
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