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quick answers

August 24, 2023

What is Ralph Lauren Custom Fit?

Ralph Lauren Polo Shirt Fit Guide

One of the most successful American fashion designers of all time, Ralph Lauren made a name for himself with his Polo line. Inspired by its namesake sport, the Polo line captured and distilled the essence of the players’ on and off-field attire. As a result, Ralph Lauren managed to bottle a signature preppy style for a global audience. At the core of the Polo line lies multiple iterations of the brand’s iconic polo, and each fit slightly differently. So, here at Aphrodite, we’ve created our Ralph Lauren polo shirt fit guide to help you out. We’ll uncover the nuances between Classic, Custom and Slim fit, so you can confidently choose the right option for you.

Ralph Lauren Classic Fit Polo

The Classic Fit polo shirt is directly inspired by polo players’ uniforms, the Classic Fit boasts a longer wider body and an extended rear hem. These dimensions make for the brand’s roomiest, most relaxed fit. The sleeves sit closer to the elbow and the fuller cut allows for a greater range of movement. Thanks to an asymmetric hem, the Classic Fit polo delivers big Ivy League styling worn tucked in or out.

Ralph Lauren Custom Fit Polo

A fashion-forward version of its more traditional predecessor, the Custom Fit design is less voluminous overall. The Custom Fit features raised armholes and a trimmed sleeve length to complement a reduced body width. The length has been cropped to achieve a closer fit. The loss of length lends the Custom Fit a tidy appearance and is ideal for a typically smarter overall look.

Ralph Lauren Custom Slim Fit Polo

The next entry in our Ralph Lauren polo shirt fit guide offers something not too slim nor too loose. Enter the Ralph Lauren Custom Slim Fit. Boasting a shorter sleeve and body, this iteration fits close enough for a sleek silhouette while retaining plenty of movement to prevent restriction. Finished with a classic two-button placket and embroidered branding on the chest, the Custom Slim Fit showcases the versatility among the brand’s polo shirt range. Whichever fit you choose, the Ralph Lauren polo shirt is a timeless classic and a true wardrobe essential.

Ralph Lauren Slim Fit Polo

And finally, the Slim Fit is the newest of Ralph Lauren’s polo shirt designs. Appealing to the tastes of loyal Europeans, the Slim Fit, as you’d expect, is the most narrow in the roster. The Slim Fit shares the sleeve profile of the Custom Fit but is more figure-hugging due to a reduction in the width and front hem. The rear hem is also cropped further for a definitively slim silhouette. If you favour a snugger fit throughout, the Slim Fit is the fit for you.

Shop our Full Ralph Lauren Range Here

May 10, 2018

Champion Reverse Weave – What Is It?

With the resurgence of logo-heavy sportswear as the uniform of the street, it’s no wonder that a brand like Champion, with its instantly recognisable branding, would be enjoying a boost in popularity. While Champion-branded goods of varying styles — and quality — can be found in almost any sports shop around the world, the brand also has a higher-end range that is only available in select stores: Champion Reverse Weave. Similar to adidas Originals or Nike Sportswear, Champion Reverse Weave delves into the brand’s archive, using period-appropriate fabrics and construction while modernising the silhouettes to give the perfect combination of old-school quality and up-to-date styling.

What Does Champion Reverse Weave Mean?

The history behind the Reverse Weave brand name stretches all the way back to Champion’s genesis. Formed in 1912 in Rochester, NY, the company that would become eventually become Champion was founded by the Feinbloom brothers, who saw a future in manufacturing athletic gear to be sold directly to schools and colleges in the US, a highly competitive industry at the time. The Feinblooms soon discovered that the teams’ coaches were a very demanding customer base, and were constantly tweaking and improving their range based on customer requests and feedback. The signature Champion Reverse Weave knitting technique was born of this period of innovation. Coaches were looking for a solution for uniforms shrinking too much in the laundry when washed en masse. In response the Feinblooms developed a horizontal knitting technique which not only minimised shrinkage but made the garments more durable. This Reverse Weave technique was patented in 1938 (though not finalised until 1951) and has been the core of the Champion range ever since, proving its effectiveness through the sheer number of vintage Champion sweatshirts that are still perfectly wearable despite being decades old.

This durability, coupled with the brand’s easy availability Stateside and range of colour options, made Champion a favourite of subcultures across the board, from rappers to skaters to straight-edge hardcore bands. Given these associations, it’s no surprise that street culture titans like Supreme, A Bathing Ape and w)taps have collaborated with Champion on a number of occasions, helping elevate the brand from basics to a bona fide fashion essential, and prompting Champion to form a higher-end line to be sold alongside brands like these. Given the importance of the Reverse Weave knit technique to the brand’s heritage, it only makes sense that they would honour it by naming the line after it.

So, in short, buying from the Champion Reverse Weave range ensures you get that distinctive Champion look and branding, backed up with over a century of heritage and expertise to give superior quality and fabric choices: simple.

Sound like a good deal? Shop our full Champion collection here

March 11, 2017

What is Pique Cotton?

Pique cotton, otherwise known as Marcella, originates from the 18th century Lancashire cotton industry. The Pique refers to a particular weaving style, where the fabric was produced using a mechanised technique or weaving double cloth with an enclosed cording weft. Originally used to imitate the luxury Provencal quilts made in Marseille France, by the mid-20th-century pique became a key material in men’s clothing.

Pique Cotton is a material characterised by raised parallel cords or fine ribbing in the fabric. This gives the material a subtle pattern and texture, which can only be seen up close. Textures and patterns vary across pique shirting too. You’ll find some with a cord structure, others with waffle or honeymoon structures, and even bird’s eye piques. These textures are created using a slightly different manufacturing process to add visual depth to the original pique design. The pique fabric’s density varies from sheer to heavy-weight waffle cloth, making the textures and patterns slightly different across individual pique clothing.

What are the Benefits Of Pique Cotton?

The texture and nature of the geometric weave means that it is incredibly breathable

Wicks away moisture

Hides any perspiration

Can withstand the heavy washing process

Superb comfort

Durable

Stretch-imbued / flexible

Pique is used in different clothing, such as sportswear and cotton shirts but it is most commonly used for polo shirts. Tennis champ Fred Perry has a lot to answer for in terms of the polo shirt’s modern-day popularity; Fred Perry pioneered his own line of polos, opting for pique cotton thanks to its great give and breathability.

Outside of the sporting realm, Mr. Ralph Lauren identified a gap in the menswear market for pique cotton during the 1960s. Keen to drive status forward within the fashionable enclave of Manhattan, Lauren set out to design clothing that appealed to the rich while also keeping them comfortable through day-to-day activities. In 1968 the label’s first collection of menswear was conceived under the name ‘Polo’ – taken from Ralph’s favourite sport and the adopted shirting style of the same name – a silhouette which featured heavily within the debut collection and still remains a Ralph Lauren hallmark to this day.

Shop a range of Fred Perry polo shirts online. Shop a range of Ralph Lauren polo shirts online.

Shop Pique Cotton Polo Shirts here!

March 2, 2017

What is Mercerised Cotton?

Mercerised cotton is a term used for cotton that has gone through a process called Mercerisation. This process is a treatment for cellulosic materials but most often cotton theads and gives them additional strength. It was found that the mercerised fibres had additional benefits in that they were able to absorb more water, thus absorbing more dye than standard, making the coloration of the dyed cloth much deeper and vibrant. This can be as much as 25% which is a huge difference to the colour of a garment.

Additionally, not only does it make the colour a lot more vibrant, it actually gives the cotton a much higher resistant to the washing process, allowing the garment to keep its colour for a longer period. This adds value to the garment and is a unique selling point as only higher quality fabrics go through the mercerisation process.

The actual mercerisation process dates back to the late 1800’s when John Mercer was issued with a British Patent for this process when he realised that cotton and other fibres actually changed their characteristics when merged with caustic soda, sulfuric acid and other chemicals. At this stage, the process didn’t add any luster to the fibre until 1890. This was when Horace Lowe found that high luster was gained when Mercer’s caustic soda process was added to the fibre once it was under high tension.

Main Benefits Of Mercerised Cotton

Deeper and more bright colouration
Cotton obtains a higher resistant to the washing process
High luster is gained

What Types of Cotton Are Chosen To Be Mercerised?

It is typical that cotton with longer fibres such as Egyptian Pima and Sea Island would be selected to be mercerised. Egyptian Pima cotton is a favourite with Italian brand CP Company for their range of luxury polo shirts for men.

What Brands Use Mercerised Cotton

Not all clothing manufacturers use mercerised cotton. It is mainly adopted by high-end luxurious brands wanting to showcase their garments that have these colour enhancing properties that will last for a long time. The mercerisation process usually dictates that the garment will be more expensive than a similar piece by the same brand. Menswear brands that have used mercerised cotton in the past include:

C.P Company
Paul Smith
Stone Island

February 3, 2017

What Is Mako Cotton?

Mako Cotton is produced in upper-Egypt; spun from a long staple fibre to develop a very fine premium quality cotton. The finest grade Mako has the unique and rare ability of being spun into a much smoother, finer, and stronger form compared to any other existing cotton in the world.

The cotton which is now exclusive to designer wear was founded by Monsieur Louis Alexis Jumel, an active and enterprising French man, who discovered a lost garden planted with beds of neglected cotton plants that appeared to have no use. Out of curiosity, the man collected the plants and took them for thorough examination, which is now proven to have been well-worth his time. Immediately the exquisite benefit of the cotton plants became apparent to him from how well they had adapted to their original soil ground, and after observing and experimenting with them, he soon became satisfied with the specific planting regime of the staple and how it might be easily propagated throughout Egypt for the purpose of fashion and clothing.

Today, alongside Egypt, Mako Cotton plants are now grown and well-managed in a small part of the Nile Delta – representing only 0.5% of the total annual Egyptian cotton production. Mako cotton is picked by hand through the delicacy that it withholds, where only the flocks that have developed to the correct stage and are able to be manipulated, are picked at once. Manually hand-picking the cotton avoids the use of defoliants and other harsh chemical products that are commonly used for machinery designed for automatic plant-picking. Mako Cotton fibres are remarkably long (36 mm) and have a consistent index of 88.5%, and what makes it so limited is the fineness of its fibres, often measured in micronaire. Micronaire is between 3.0 and 3.2, and the strength of the brightness equivalent to 74.8 – the best among the list of exceedingly long staple cottons.

What Are The Benefits Of Mako Cotton?

The sheets made of this fine fabric are extraordinarily soft with a silky hand, rich drape and a luminous sheen
Lightweight and breathable
Can withstand frequent washing’s

Brands That Use Mako Cotton

C.P Company