 orever stylish, universally flattering, innately handsome and most becoming in both a stately and statuesque manner, the camel hair Polo (top) coat is an iconic legacy habiliment of exquisite heirloom quality that every gentleman of style should either have at the ready or strongly consider adding to his styling repertoire. Here's why as well as where to invest your hard-earned coin should you choose to endeavour in offering pride of place in your wardrobe to a truly endearing outerwear stalwart that has proven itself to be — for a near century — a lifelong investment worth its weight in (sartorial) gold. |
An illustrious outerwear garment of the highest order, the Polo Coat is regarded by many as the epitome of distinguished style as well as an endearing reflection of good taste that remains to this day rather unadulterated in its traditional appointments: stately peak lapels, statement making front patch pockets, industrious Ulster collar, single back vent, set-in sleeves, functional cuff buttons, slimming back half-belt, luxurious camel hair fabrication, and, above all, its full length double-breasted silhouette.
Positioned, as well as fashioned, to the account of being (unofficially) a direct successor of sorts to the popular (and often burdensome) gentleman's tweed Ulster coat of the day (which fashionably reigned supreme in the 20th century), the Polo's classic stately form is worldly renowned for its characteristic polish and refined simplicity, both of which have helped it earn the distinction of being widely held as the benchmark of ageless outerwear sophistication.
In its purest (and most luxurious) form when (classically) cut from a rich and supple 100% camel hair (which is one of the rarest natural fibres on the planet), it also can now be found in a more rugged (albeit still soft) 50/50 camel hair + 100% (virgin) wool blend that in effect all but ensures its immaculate form be enjoyed for many years to come (pure camel hair has a tendency to wear in a manner akin to cashmere) with very little being lost in the alteration shuffle.
Being a coat in basic structure and purposing, it first and foremost was primary tasked and fashionably equipped with all the necessary accoutrements required to best protect its wearer from increment weather (above all else), a role in which it has little issue with (since inception) playing to grand effect whilst reflectively making little sacrifice in the style department strictly for the sake of (further) utilitarian practicality.
Positioned, as well as fashioned, to the account of being (unofficially) a direct successor of sorts to the popular (and often burdensome) gentleman's tweed Ulster coat of the day (which fashionably reigned supreme in the 20th century), the Polo's classic stately form is worldly renowned for its characteristic polish and refined simplicity, both of which have helped it earn the distinction of being widely held as the benchmark of ageless outerwear sophistication.
In its purest (and most luxurious) form when (classically) cut from a rich and supple 100% camel hair (which is one of the rarest natural fibres on the planet), it also can now be found in a more rugged (albeit still soft) 50/50 camel hair + 100% (virgin) wool blend that in effect all but ensures its immaculate form be enjoyed for many years to come (pure camel hair has a tendency to wear in a manner akin to cashmere) with very little being lost in the alteration shuffle.
Being a coat in basic structure and purposing, it first and foremost was primary tasked and fashionably equipped with all the necessary accoutrements required to best protect its wearer from increment weather (above all else), a role in which it has little issue with (since inception) playing to grand effect whilst reflectively making little sacrifice in the style department strictly for the sake of (further) utilitarian practicality.
Initially adopted, exclusively worn and eventually brought to notable prominence on this side of the pond — respectively arriving via the hallowed Polo fields of Edwardian England — by the affluent (and often quite controversial) east-coast Ivy-League (Gatsby) WASP-establishment during the roaring 20s', those powerful few who would go on to shape and mold the (bipartisan) political system, (Preppy) style identity and economic structure of the U.S.A. as we know it today, its originally rather louche and robe-like construction was presupposed with the a sportive application in mind and marked by a heady heft and fine structure that allowed it to be easily thrown over one’s shoulders in a cavalier manner by athletes between chukka's (Polo) and downs (American football) at but a moments notice so as to best keep them warm between plays.
Insofar as that, and with its appealing clean lines, sophisticated cultural cache, rich and iconic palette, and a universally flattering silhouette that is arguably capable of making most any body shape appear slimmer and more fashionably elongated (taller) in hand, it should be rather quite evident as to why it quickly graduated from its humble sporting ground roots into the spectator's stands and eventually into an overnight cultural sensation that saw it being afforded top billing in the everyday wardrobes of most every gent of the time.
Thereafter appointed unto an elevated (read: must-have) outerwear pedestal by both impressionable (fashion forward) youth and gentlemen of the days of yore alike, both of which each saw fit in sporting it in nearly every context and to every occasion from the sporting pitch and the office in the city through Collegiate tailgate parties and boat races (and the like), the Polo coat had by the end of the decade become a status symbol and endearing mark of a fine gentleman.
In creative essence and application a go-anywhere, wear with anything luxurious outerwear chameleon, today one can find one the Polo coat Intricately cut in the traditional (looser, more forgiving robe-like) sense or in an updated slimmer profile with a colour purity that ranges from rich tan through warm brownish red (with the ideal that the darker the coat, the more formal in character it is).
As for how to wear it, the Polo was traditionally employed solely as a town coat with tailored wears or in the previously alluded to sporting context, but in the modern age you can just as well wear it as you please and with pride and dignity over anything from your tailored business attire through your leisure or sportswear — be it white denim and a turtleneck or cashmere joggers and raglan sweatshirt (the latter of which espouses upon its Ivy-League sporting origins).
Insofar as that, and with its appealing clean lines, sophisticated cultural cache, rich and iconic palette, and a universally flattering silhouette that is arguably capable of making most any body shape appear slimmer and more fashionably elongated (taller) in hand, it should be rather quite evident as to why it quickly graduated from its humble sporting ground roots into the spectator's stands and eventually into an overnight cultural sensation that saw it being afforded top billing in the everyday wardrobes of most every gent of the time.
Thereafter appointed unto an elevated (read: must-have) outerwear pedestal by both impressionable (fashion forward) youth and gentlemen of the days of yore alike, both of which each saw fit in sporting it in nearly every context and to every occasion from the sporting pitch and the office in the city through Collegiate tailgate parties and boat races (and the like), the Polo coat had by the end of the decade become a status symbol and endearing mark of a fine gentleman.
In creative essence and application a go-anywhere, wear with anything luxurious outerwear chameleon, today one can find one the Polo coat Intricately cut in the traditional (looser, more forgiving robe-like) sense or in an updated slimmer profile with a colour purity that ranges from rich tan through warm brownish red (with the ideal that the darker the coat, the more formal in character it is).
As for how to wear it, the Polo was traditionally employed solely as a town coat with tailored wears or in the previously alluded to sporting context, but in the modern age you can just as well wear it as you please and with pride and dignity over anything from your tailored business attire through your leisure or sportswear — be it white denim and a turtleneck or cashmere joggers and raglan sweatshirt (the latter of which espouses upon its Ivy-League sporting origins).
Having withstood — for a near century — an ever-evolving fashion landscape of cultural ebbs-and-flows in addition to the passing vicissitudes that routinely accompany each era-specific trend and lifestyle upheaval that accompanies it, the Polo coat has remained characteristically astute through the variable thick-and-thin.
Unique in its masterful marriage of timeless elegance with endearing comfort, which is an appealing coalescence of smart-casual nirvana as it were, it should go without saying as to why it initially enraptured the sartorial spirits of the gentlemen of the age and continues to do so to those occupying our sartorial terra firma to this day.
In effect capable of adapting to any mood or occasion (dressed up or down; it is equally at home with tailoring as it is with leisurewear) with minimal effort needed on its wearers part, this neutral outerwear godsend is at once capable of elevating and characteristically upgrading any look it is fashioned into with what is an innately bestowed effortless élan devoid of any glaring fault.
As such, it would not be a stretch to proclaim that it is indeed an indisputable icon of the outerwear genre without true equal; a sophisticated menswear habiliment of the highest order that deserves pride of place in every sartorialists wardrobe.
Insofar as that, it arguably remains the best-looking topcoat a man can (or could ever hope to) wear and is truly the "Aristocrat of Topcoats" (read: Bruce Boyer) if I do say so myself.
All that being said, here’s *three exquisite examples of the Polo Coat — each available at various price vantage points — to consider investing in today should the notion strike…
Unique in its masterful marriage of timeless elegance with endearing comfort, which is an appealing coalescence of smart-casual nirvana as it were, it should go without saying as to why it initially enraptured the sartorial spirits of the gentlemen of the age and continues to do so to those occupying our sartorial terra firma to this day.
In effect capable of adapting to any mood or occasion (dressed up or down; it is equally at home with tailoring as it is with leisurewear) with minimal effort needed on its wearers part, this neutral outerwear godsend is at once capable of elevating and characteristically upgrading any look it is fashioned into with what is an innately bestowed effortless élan devoid of any glaring fault.
As such, it would not be a stretch to proclaim that it is indeed an indisputable icon of the outerwear genre without true equal; a sophisticated menswear habiliment of the highest order that deserves pride of place in every sartorialists wardrobe.
Insofar as that, it arguably remains the best-looking topcoat a man can (or could ever hope to) wear and is truly the "Aristocrat of Topcoats" (read: Bruce Boyer) if I do say so myself.
All that being said, here’s *three exquisite examples of the Polo Coat — each available at various price vantage points — to consider investing in today should the notion strike…
*"The Steal" is the only one amongst the lot resting before you today that is not a Polo coat in the grander scheme of matters (it is neither cut from luxurious camelhair — a much more affordable 100% wool being subbed in — nor traditionally styled with of patch pockets but very much cuts a dashing figure akin to its two accompanying cousins)
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