This past weekend I wrote a piece for the FT on polo shirts, which you can see here. Mentioning John Smedley, Orlebar Brown, Lacoste and others, it is hopefully an interesting update for anyone interested in the menswear staple.
It depends on how they fit currently and your shape. Also, it's best seen as a proportion of the total width, rather than an absolute number. But as a starting point, anything over 2 inches becomes dangerous, and the key thing to watch for is…
The surprising influence of the Duffer of St George
Read the commentsHi Kenji, Not at all, this comes up regularly and I'm very happy to answer. I've also written about it consistently and publicly over the years. To start with, can I ask whether you have read the 'Is this an advert' article that is linked…
Pre-order open on Donegals and Indulgent cardigans
Read the commentsToday I have been wearing my charcoal flannel suit in Düsseldorf, it was 4 ° C in the morning and around 20 ° C in the afternoon. Suit weight is 14 / 15 oz (400 / 430 grams). In the morning it was okay to…
The Guide to Flannel
Read the commentsThanks Simon, I’ll continue the hunt!
A Guide to Mohair
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Nice article, but I think your FT editor has fumbled a couple of times.
7th graf: Some brands have gone further, exploring a knitted alternative to the polo’s traditional woven cotton fabric. ” Traditional polo fabric is knit pique, of course, as you note in the 2nd graf.
Also 7th graf: “The advantage of a knitted, fine-gauge polo, as opposed to cotton, is that it can hold its shape and incorporate formal tailoring elements, such as backward-sloping shoulder seams.” Should this be about fine gauge cotton knit vs cotton knit pique, or is the new fabric a silk, linen or wool?
You’re right Mack, that is an error. The difference with the Smedley and other knits is that they are not cut-and-sewn, but knitted as fully fashioned pieces. This avoids the bulky seams, boxy shape and boardy feel of cheaper polos.
Yes, I have all the kinds. And Smedley itself has made all kinds. Most of my Smedley cotton polos are of fully-fashioned jersey, but a few old ones made for the Richetti store in Parma are of pique, cut-and-sewn.