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A History of Wimbledon Style

Other than high octane singles matches, players breaking rackets and crowds causing them and the thousands of strawberries and cream sold to punters there’s one singular thing you can rely on. Style. From its rebirth in the open era, and even a selection of champions prior, there have been a plethora of notable style moments highlighted by the staple Wimbledon white wardrobe, so here are our top picks!

René Lacoste

The father of the Alligator, René Lacoste was more than just a brand founder. An avid inventor (with a number of patents for inventions from fashion to golf to tennis) Lacoste was responsible for the initial creation of the polo shirt, revolutionising tennis forever. Winning Wimbledon in 1925 and 1928, he did it in his own preppy style as seen below, usually in his own stylish creations. As the Lacoste legacy lives on we still see René’s signature crocodile stamped on the brand with their staple style polos and sport influenced apparel.

 

Fred Perry

A multi-time champion, the last British winner before Andy Murray’s ascension, creator of the laurel wreath and universally stylish individual. Fred Perry accomplished a lot in his time as a tennis pro and managed to surpass that legacy with the creation of the Fred Perry clothing brand. Seen below in his sweater vest and chinos, it’s a style that sees itself in the spotlight again and again. Introducing his initial creation, the Fred Perry Laurel Wreath polo in 1952 (the logo borrowed from Wimbledon) Fred Perry created a sporting legacy on top of his prior accomplishments and birthed a plethora of subcultural movements. Still outfitting sportsmen and women amongst others, their collections are still made to the stylish standard of their creator.

 

Rod Laver

One of the original stars of adidas tennis and one of the initial adopters of a signature adidas shoe, Laver was no nonsense on the court reflecting in his clean-cut style. Draped in all white Fred Perry, it was the premium apparel that represented his premium game granting him one of the initial signature adidas tennis styles of the decade. With the introduction and reissue of more adidas tennis styles, most recently the Continental 80 amongst others, it won’t be long till more Rod Lavers.

 

Stan Smith

Instantly recognisable in this modern day as the endorsee of adidas’s signature tennis style, Stan Smith carved a history as a winner and a stylish one at that with his signature slick back and stache. The adidas stan smith still retains dominance to this day and age with its collaborations, the most high profile being the Raf Simons collection that it has become a staple of. Don’t forget about his skate history either, revolutionary.

 

Arthur Ashe

Making history is all the better when you look as good as Arthur Ashe. Becoming the first black grand slam champion in tennis history, Ashe decided to rile up compatriot Jimmy Connors with his Davis Cup issued USA jacket, one that Connors would have had if he’d accepted the invitation to represent his country in the country vs country tournament (and that he was labelled ‘unpatriotic’ for). Ashe’s style provided a benchmark for future designs from a number of American brands, namely the style of Polo Ralph Lauren who took lend of the sporting red, white and blue.

 

Bjorn Borg

The Legendary Swede, a man who rattled off an undefeated 4 years at Wimbledon, rocking the best in pinstriped and checked polos by the way of Fila and becoming the king of track jackets too. He might be most famous style wise for his signature Diadora shoe, and his fashion line as Bjorn Borg, but his quintessentially 70s style is an inspiration for us all, and brands such as Aquascutum with their mix of sport and vintage style.

 

John Mcenroe 

The man who knocked Bjorn Borg off his mount, and took his place as tennis’ style king. Mcenroe’s effortless style was on display through his full career, his minimal colour blocking via Sergio Tacchini offering a fitting uniform for his first championship. The segmented blocking finds itself commonplace with heralded brands nower days, especially favourites like AMI

 

Pete Sampras & Andre Agassi

Nike’s signature athletes and both Wimbledon champions across the 90s, the pairing of Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi meant in the final of the 99 Wimbledon, showing the best in 90s style. Sampras decked in the classic white polo, lateral stripes included. Although he might have lost in this instance, Agassi takes the trophy for style with his earring and necklace combo, plus a lethal quarter zip polo. Agassi has had some moments in style with his signature Nikes and fake mullet and meth period, eclectic guy.

 

Roger Federer

Skipping most of this century so far wasn’t hard, to be honest. Tennis style just isn’t the same anymore, or revolutionary. Nike, late to the game with tennis and adopters of the all whites in the 90s, took the model of the signature sporting athlete from their work with Michael Jordan, using the same model for their (till recently) deal with all-time great Roger Federer. To celebrate his record-equalling 7th Wimbledon title, Nike decked their flagship tennis star with a retro-inspired quarter zip jumper and attire, ushering in a retro-inspired phase for the swoosh.

Outfit Grid

5 Best Minimal Footwear Styles For Every Budget

Want a clean crisp minimal shoe to pair with any outfit? We’re breaking down the best minimal white tennis and athletic styles for any look for every budget.

Under £50 – Novesta Star Master Trainers 

A boost in popularity by the way of a heralded CDG collaboration has seen Novesta become a contemporary choice at a budget price point. Easy to pair with any outfit and a serious competitor for Converse and Van’s low top dominance. Novesta’s footwear is produced in Slovakia to honour their rich European heritage and constructed using a high-pressure machine to bond the natural rubber sole to the canvas upper, in keeping with the company’s anti-chemical and glue stance. We’d recommend a dress down casual look either a pairing with a statement t-shirt, jean and sock, similar to our Edwin ED 55 Jeans & Norse Project striped numbers in form of the Niels T-Shirt and Bjarki Sports Socks.

Under £100 – Adidas Continental 80

The Kanye approved Continental 80 is a sure-fire bet for everyone’s favourite dress down shoe come 2018 year end. With it’s obvious influence to the Calabasas Powerphase, the Continental 80 takes on more of a classic tennis styling with it’s supple tumbled leather and lateral two-tone stripes. Pulling out all the stops this year with original and unique reissues, this release from adidas is a perfect sports luxe accompaniment to the combo of a Champion sweatshirt and Ralph Lauren Flat Shorts

Under £150 – adidas BW Army Trainer

With a number of reissued iterations under their belt, adidas has put a minimalist stamp on their original 70s army trainer design with a budget-priced alternative to the Marigela Replica. Debuting a premium model close in construction to the high fashion alternative, the BW army comes equipped with an all leather constructed upper and soft vachetta leather lining for a luxurious touch topped off with the choice of premium cotton or rawhide leather laces. Pair this premium pair with the Folk Painter’s Jacket and  Norse Project Aros Black for a mix of contemporary and heritage stylings.

Under £200 – Grenson Sneaker 1

When comes to minimal styles shoe stylings, the classic white tennis shoe is a wardrobe staple the world around. Presenting their first offering in the ‘sneaker’ world is Grenson, using their shoemaking expertise to create one of cleanest designs of the moment, basing their Sneaker 1 creation on the timeless design of the 70s tennis shoe. Dial in the tennis vibes with a full Aquascutum kit in their token club check design. Aquascutum Check Shorts, Aquascutum Polo Shirt and Aquascutum Abbott Club Check Cap

Over £200 – Margiela Replica Sneakers

Weighing in at a heavy £329 is the legendary Margiela Replica sneaker, adapting the classic German Army trainer into a high fashion behemoth. The quality in the construction is the Margiela ethos with no stone untouched in it’s design. Pair these ‘GAT’s with the perfect luxury athletic look in the form of the exquisite  Maison Margiela’s Sweat Jacket and Trousers.

Ralph Lauren Bear Hoodie

Polo Ralph Lauren Brand Guide

Ralph Lauren History

The Polo Ralph Lauren brand is almost synonymous with the world of fashion. The iconic Polo logo that is brandished on many of their items is arguably one of the most recognisable in the world, with a reputation and heritage that is almost unrivalled by anyone else provided through a line of menswear, womenswear and accessories that has, in recent times, produced revenues of around $5 Billion, making Ralph Lauren not only a powerhouse in fashion, but also in the economic world.

Ralph Lauren Polo Shirt in Navy

Ralph Lauren’s Life

Born in 1939 in the Bronx of New York, Ralph Liftshitz as he was initially known as (He changed his name to Ralph Lauren when he was 15) led a relatively working-class lifestyle, with an orthodox Jewish upbringing that led him through college as well as working as a sales assistant. However, this was about to change. At the age of 26, Ralph was inspired to design and create a wide necktie that he had seen the famous Douglas Fairbanks Jr wearing, but the idea was scrapped as it wasn’t “commercially viable”.

After leaving the company, Ralph began to create these ties himself, establishing his own company that worked out of a single drawer in the iconic Empire State Building. Referring to it as “Polo”, Ralph Laurens neckties quickly gained popularity amongst businessmen in NYC who wanted a wider, more European tie. After gaining some respect and reputation, Ralph was approached by the luxury department store Neiman Marcus, where an order for 100 dozen of his unique ties paved the way for Ralph Lauren to become a real player in the fashion world.  After investment by Manhattan clothing manufacturer Norman Hilton, Ralph Lauren was able to open its first store that sold his now very popular ties. This was the start of Ralph Lauren.

Ralph Lauren

Photo Credit: Ralph Lauren

Ralph developed his first menswear under the “Polo” name in 1968 after wanting to create something that made him “excited” yet maintained a “traditional” value.  Gaining critical acclaim instantly, it was in 1972, just after producing his first women’s items, that one of Ralph Lauren’s most popular items, even today, was introduced; the Polo Shirt. Originally available in twenty-four different colours, the Polo quickly became the most iconic item for the “preppy look”, something that Ralph himself is best known for. This signaled the exponential rise of the brand, spiralling Ralph into the world of fashion, where he consistently produced stylish, preppy menswear whilst also expanding into different areas that he felt passionate in.

From full lines of womenswear to the launch of his own fragrances, to expanding into an infant’s range, Ralph Lauren is now a leading arm for both men and women’s fashion, with vibrant, abstract colours and styles that are now staples in fashion. Ralph’s passion can be felt in all his lines, where inspiration from films, celebrities, and the traditional American culture has allowed him to create all of his designs. Ralph himself says that when designing something he works more “like a writer”, where he is “writing a story” through his garments that people can relate to and really feel themselves when wearing.

Ralph Lauren Bear Hoodie

What Is Polo Ralph Lauren ?

When you think of Ralph Lauren, the image of the iconic Polo player logo that is embroidered onto almost all of their garments instantly pops up in your mind. Emblazoned proudly on the likes of their polos and shirting, the logo has a reason for being there. It is a reflection of Ralph’s original tie business named “Polo”. The name came from the idea that he wanted a brand that drew inspiration from the likes of sport and the idea of using the term “Polo” shares a link between the brand and sport. A sophisticated, trendy sport reflects the brand itself, so the name stuck. Initially seen on Ralph’s first introduction into womenswear on the cuffs of the shirts, the logo is now seen all over the brand, accurately reflecting what Ralph Lauren is all about, even today. Style, trendiness, and a casual attitude are what Ralph Lauren is all about and the Polo player accurately reinforces this idea.


Ralph Lauren Polo Shirts

While the Ralph Lauren brand found its footsteps in the world of fashion with its signature ties, it’s the eponymous labels venture into Polo Shirt’s that has truly propelled the brand to newfound levels. Ralph Lauren combined techniques found in traditional tailoring with durable everyday fabrics to produce an effortlessly wearable piece that can last a lifetime in any mans wardrobe. What’s more, the array of colours, patterns and fits means that picking your own Ralph Lauren Polo Shirt is an incredibly personal experience. But what are the Ralph Lauren Polo Shirts and how do the different fits size up against each other?

Ralph Lauren Polo Shirts Fits Guide

Ralph Lauren Classic Fit Polo Shirts

The Ralph Lauren Classic Fit Polo Shirt was the first of the labels silhouettes. It arrives with a roomy feel, offering a relaxed look to the body which pairs with a loose cuff. This style is loved by those who opt for a more casual aesthetic as it allows them to easily pair the Polo with a straight-leg jean, cargo pant or even Joggers.

Ralph Lauren Classic Fit Polo Shirt

Ralph Lauren Slim Fit Polo Shirts

The Ralph Lauren Slim Fit Polo Shirt is, well… Slim. It offers an extremely tapered version of the brands Classic Fit Polo Shirt, with a more trim waist and a tighter, almost muscle fit, cuff. Its style is perfect for those who love a skinny jean, or perhaps a formal trouser that they pair with some clean white Ralph Lauren trainers.

Ralph Lauren Slim Fit Polo Shirt

Ralph Lauren Custom Slim Fit Polo Shirts

The most queried fit from the Polo Ralph Collection, the Custom-Slim Fit isn’t just a “It does what it says on the tin” kind of thing, it takes a little explaining. The Custom-Slim Fit sits between the happy medium of the Casual and Slim-Fit styles, but with the addition of a more tapered waist. This enhances the wearers body shape and offers a more trim appearance, which is a definite bonus. The Ralph Lauren Custom Slim Fit Polo Shirt is best styled with tapered jeans, or a slim Ralph Lauren Tracksuit pant.

Ralph Lauren Custom Slim Fit Polo Shirt