As a kid growing up there was the one item that was cool; a polo with a popped collar showed who had style. If you were really preppy you wore a sweater draped over your shoulders and tied around the neck. I tried it once, but since my name wasn't Skippy or Biff I couldn't quite pull it off; but I did pop the collar."Thanks!" again to J.Crew Guy In Canada for his take on J.Crew!
J.Crew polo shirts are okay; but whether it be the logo or the time I grew up in or possibly the cache, Ralph Lauren and Rene Lacoste are the two I prefer. There's just something very special in my mind about these two brands of polo shirts. In all items of clothing I prefer to fly under the radar, no branding showing, no logos, no names to be seen. But the polo shirt doesn't work that way for me. I want the guy on horseback swinging his mallet or the smiling croc with it's teeth showing. Don't mind Gant either with it's US emblem. Poor J.Crew the only polos I've seen with logos are the factory ones, which maybe just as serviceable don't have that factor X the other guys do.
I have a few J.Crew polos, all well cut, great colours and good qulaity cotton. But Ralph has something they don't. His cotton has slightly more texture, least in the cotton pique I have. The Polo polo also has longer tails, the ones in back slightly longer to really channel that preppy vibe. And I love the Polo logo, especially when it's made of several colours and not just one. And the fact that Lacoste is designed in France and many are still made there makes it even more special than one from a factory in China. Perhaps it's my early years as a university student wanting the big name logo, but living on a student's budget that gives them their edge over their J.Crew cousins. J.Crew certainly gets the colours right, but the Ralph and Lacoste ones have every so slightly larger collars and the very special logo on the front left side.
Now J.Crew does slub cotton with it's cool texture and look along with pique, lightweight and striped ones and I have one referred to as jaspe, but as good as they are I still want a crocodile on mine or a man on horse back. Before you get all "he's just into labels" remember where you're reading this. And for the record I do sort of like my labels. I have one over-sized croc from Lacoste, but since the logo is black on a black polo it's subtle and not too in your face like the Big Pony from Ralph.
Where J.Crew does well is in fit, high arm holes, trim cuts and well placed buttons. They wash well and stand up for years. The slim cut works well without making me look like a sausage. But both Ralph Lauren and Lacoste offer trim cuts. And if you have a decent tailor they can slim down your regular polo for that custom fit. Nothing better than going to the tailor and having an okay polo trimmed into a wow you just came from the gym one.
So like I said, J.Crew polos are fine, but I still would rather pay more and get the guy on the horse of the reptile on mine.
I find the debate relating to "logos on polos" an interesting one! I know the men in my life prefer to not have any logo showing, while I know some others who definitely wear them proudly.
As for J.Crew's polos... I own several from the Women's line (and purchase many for my DH, from the Men's line). They usually hold up very well and they fit great. They really are that exceptional piece of clothing that looks timeless.
What are your thoughts on this post? Do you have any men's polos from J.Crew? Are you a fan of the visible logo? Do you pop your polo's collar? If so, please share with us your take. :)
