Ralph Lauren's Polo Shirt

The Polo shirt is to Ralph Lauren what Mickey Mouse is to Disney or what the Empire State Building is to New York City. Whether worn layered with the collar popped up, open and untucked, or dressed up under an elegant suit jacket, the Polo shirt embodies the optimism and confidence of American style. An astute observer of culture and style once declared that the shirt is “the most democratic of garments, as ubiquitous as a pair of jeans."

For over five decades, the Polo shirt has journeyed everywhere, creating memories for all who have made it part of their lives. It became not only a canvas for Lauren’’s artistry, but a backdrop and inspiration for all the dreams, hopes, and ambitions for people all over the world. In Lauren’’s own words, “In the end, it was never about a shirt, but a way of living.”

Now, the beloved shirt is properly celebrated in RALPH LAUREN’‘S POLO SHIRT, a 544-page collection that retraces the evolution and history of this enduring classic. It features personal stories and a gallery of iconic stars and celebrities from the worlds of fashion, sports, politics, film, and music–everyone from Tom Cruise and Tom Hanks, Oliver Stone and Spike Lee, to Pharrell Williams and Venus Williams–as well as everyday people who have made the Polo the keystone for their self-expression; it is a fascinating look at the enduring cultural cool of a wardrobe classic.

Ken Burns sums it up best in his beautifully written introduction, “When you wear a Polo shirt you’’re instantly engaged in a profound irony between being unique, but also–because so many others in the world wear it–belonging.” With beautiful photography, an introduction by Ralph Lauren, and an afterword by David Lauren, the book shines the spotlight on the shirt, itself. Readers see the full range of colors, styles, and fits in which the shirt has been produced–from the classic white to the striped Polo as well as the U.S. Olympic, U.S. Open, and Wimbledon Championship collaborations.

THE POLO SHIRT BOOK is sure to be a winner with fashionistas and fans alike, making it a collector’’s dream come true. As an extra treat, special editions of the book sold at Polo stores around the world will feature five different covers inspired by Ralph Lauren’’s original desire to offer the shirt in a rainbow of colors.