I’d own a Lacoste polo, only problem is I’d have to give up my kidney! Just kidding, I love Lacoste polos, they are very classy. I have a few polos that are Nike and are quite colorful, and I would have to pull some magic to make some work.No.
What is with people mixing dress and casual/sports apparel and thinking that they are interchangeable? Important? People who look "important" are not dwearing polos for "important" events.
If you want to be sure, study the history of the sport to see where the polo originates from. However, you can pick your apparel to suit other things like the pedigree of the apparel you are wearing: for example a Lacoste polo is as classic as it gets. Can't go wrong with that. If you want to distinguish it from other apparel companies wear their henleys or round necks. It is not necessary, of course, but if you are so inclined, you can do it. It is a detail that also shows that you know something about the sports. As a rule I do exactly that: Lacoste polos, round necks everything else. There are exceptions, of course, but very rarely, and I don't have one Lacoste shirt that is not a polo.
Nike polo’s I would say aren’t terribly loud unless you get the crazy colors, but the shorts are what finishes it. White shorts will save almost any outfit, be it black shirt or pink shirt. But the black shoes or socks can kill the outfit, it’s a processI haven't checked the prices of the Nike apparel for a while, but weren't they running like a 100USD for a Nadal tank top or something? If so that is already Lacoste territory (slightly below). In any event, I don't see that as a big problem: people spent much more on shoes that will be gone in several months while the polo will provide years and years of duty.
Yes, Lacoste makes a great polo, and has the heritage to back it up. They almost never make "loud" polos for that reason, they have a sense of what belongs where. Even the famous Tutti Frutti polo was not garish loud. IMO, polo and loud do not compliment each other.
Nike polo’s I would say aren’t terribly loud unless you get the crazy colors, but the shorts are what finishes it. White shorts will save almost any outfit, be it black shirt or pink shirt. But the black shoes or socks can kill the outfit, it’s a process
Yes, there are some general principles and you have pointed at a couple of them:
- white shorts go with almost anything
- black shorts are unfortunate with anything, but the black dominated shirt or monochromatic outfit (i.e. black-white)
- black socks are almost always a worse choice than something else
For example, see this:
That combo, while not terrible, is made instantly better with white socks. Obviously the main problem are the shorts: they should be white. Even citrus yellow will look better than black. Black is too stark here and doesn't compliment the otherwise stellar shirt and shoes.
Reversely. Here black shorts are almost inevitable (notice the white socks and shoes that lighten up the whole thing):
Yes, black and especially black combined with colours is drab. It has its own life in the expression of Demeulemeester or Margiela, but that is a whole different kettle of fish.
All part of the fun.
Yes, white shorts and white socks are a classic. It assures that there is a "flow" in the outfit, a smooth transition based on neutrality and light. Only some stark geometrical patterns can disturb it to an extent that it looks odd. Otherwise it can tame even very bright neon colours (although not always the best combination).
I don't have a problem with white socks and coloured shoes as the above Thiem example shows. Actually the white on the shoes (well it is more like pastel grey) picks up some when one wears white socks. I agree that white socks with some very dark colours can be bad, but it depends if there are white accents in them.
People that know how to wear suits will instantly understand where that comes from.
Yes, black and especially black combined with colours is drab. It has its own life in the expression of Demeulemeester or Margiela, but that is a whole different kettle of fish.
I guess I'm a young person. Horay!
Too bad, as white shorts are the single most versatile piece of tennis apparel there is IMO. I struggle to think of any other that can pull off their versatility in various combinations. Coloured shirt is almost a given outside of the clubs with all white requirements.
While I do prefer the collared shirts most of the time, I enjoy having the more streamlined look of the round neck T-shirts from time to time. As I mentioned before, some apparel companies are more traditional in that sense and I like to separate them by using mostly polos or mostly round necks/henleys from different such. Also, if one wants to wear a more vibrant colour round necks are better for that than polos, which are a more subdued piece of garment. The above example (worn by Thiem) is much better as a round neck than it would have been as a collared shirt. I wear it with white shorts, socks and wristband, and the same shade of blue Übersonic 3s. It is a very nice, dynamic and cheerful ensemble.
I’m gonna throw my unsolicited comment in here. Bar none, the most versatile short color is grey.
+1 as far as shorts are concerned. Big fan of darker shorts myself. It is all very subjective and depends more on personal preferences than anything. And while I do like whites, I would pick black or navy shorts 9 times out of 10 paired with lighter top. Sure if I'm playing back to back days I might switch to whites to mix it up a bit but my preference is always darker shorts. I think they go with everything rather well.
Yes, I guess everyone has his/her own preferences, but if I was to say something black is too stark and doesn't match well with anything. Its main virtue is its slimming optical effect, but not much besides that. It doesn't look interesting and it does't look very "sporty" either. Dark blue is a very nice colour, but, again, is much more difficult to combine with certain colours compared to white.
I don't make such association between white and less inclusive. Otherwise you should probably hate Wimbledon, and I haven't met many people that do.
I am of the exactly opposite opinion about Adidas. Their Parley lines were very successful and nice, as were their AO lines after that. They had the nicest polo of them all for this season up until now (sadly it is a US only item), and their Squad round neck is absolute beauty as colours, as design and as fabric.
+1 as far as shorts are concerned. Big fan of darker shorts myself. It is all very subjective and depends more on personal preferences than anything. And while I do like whites, I would pick black or navy shorts 9 times out of 10 paired with lighter top. Sure if I'm playing back to back days I might switch to whites to mix it up a bit but my preference is always darker shorts. I think they go with everything rather well.
I also like dark socks as well (mostly because I like darker color shoes) and I think white socks look terrible with black or darker shade shoes. White shoes get dirty super fast for me and so I tend to avoid them. Do have a pair of all whites but they rarely see play time.
That all said, I'm of a different opinion as far as Adidas offerings go however. I have been a big fan of their RG offerings in specific and look forward to their releases more keenly than any other brand. But then again, we all have different tastes and suggesting one is better than other is just a moot point
Cooler temps even in summers here and I play indoors 6-7 months out of the year anyway (temp controlled). No such issues, fortunately.
I think that black being the most classic of colours is misconstrued. It doesn't clash terribly with most other colours, but it doesn't mean that it is a good combination with them. I am actually struggling to think of many real life applications of black in an apparel. If it is not in a monochromatic look or predominantly black it is more often than not not in its place.
I meant to say that you should be having a problem with Wimbledon itself, as they are very strict about their predominantly white policy. As a matter of fact, same should be applicable to white shirts/collars and many more things stemming from certain cultural backgrounds. I don't see it, but that is just me.
Yeah, well, they have these in their current line (although on the way out):
If one wants classic and subdued polos I can't see how these aren't great options. They are. Especially the first one in white with the blue chest stripes. As I said, the Parley line and the one after that, at RG they have been consistently great, then there was the WTF polo in Bordeaux etc etc.
Could you give examples of great designs from Adidas when it comes to polos? They have had plenty of good designs in the past, but I am curious to see what are your preferences.
You are "obviously" older than me? Interesting.
You say that the examples I presented are "horrible" after your stamens that you are a "primary colours" man?
You also say that you like some of the Barrcade shirts and also the PW, but say that Adidas will "never consider people in your age group"?
I think that this conversation leads to nowhere, or at least I cannot make any sense of it, as your statements are all over the place.
It is amazing that you make a conclusion when you are clearly lacking information (about how old your conversational partner is). You contradict yourself in several instances and on top of that when invited to showcase your preferences, so that we can gauge your other estimates, you go with not providing any, and instead talking in most obscure general terms. Maybe your understanding of how a decent conversation should go differs from the decent understanding about "decent" conversation.
Anyway, I am out of this talk. It is highly uninteresting when it goes down that lane.
I always where a polo to tournaments and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.
