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New York Post
‘Ugly’ polo shirts sported by Hailey Bieber, Rihanna make preppy trendy again: ‘This garment sends a message’
By Brooke Kato,
2024-07-24
It’s time to put some prep in your step.
The preppy polo is an unlikely summer staple amid an early-aughts resurgence, dominating runways and street style alike.
While there’s been no shortage of the shirts from legacy brands like Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren over the years, luxury designers have revived the top, which has also earned a celebrity stamp of approval despite its once “ ugly ” reputation.
“The polo is never just clothes,” Maggie Bullock, author of “ The Kingdom of Prep ,” told Nylon , calling it “classically American.” “For anyone who’s paying attention, this is a garment that sends a message.”
“For anyone who’s paying attention, this is a garment that sends a message,” Bullock told Nylon. Getty Images
The sporty shirt — which industry experts described as an elevated tee — also appeared on the spring/summer 2024 runways for Gucci, Givenchy, Loewe, Carolina Herrera and Miu Miu, which notably revived the prep-inspired boat shoes and specs .
Rihanna sported the top while bearing her belly while pregnant last year. GC Images Bieber has been spotted multiple times in a polo shirt, which has been referred to as an elevated tee. GC Images
“To me, it’s a meeting of maximalism and ‘stealth wealth,’” Laurel Pantin, a fashion writer and consultant, told Nylon, likening the trend to the subdued qualities found in “quiet luxury.”
“It’s somewhere in the middle zone, where there’s a layer of the old-school wealth that isn’t so ‘Succession’ — it’s a bit more youthful.”
The resurgence of the polo — a fitting style after Wimbledon and ahead of the Paris Olympics — appears to be part of a larger “ tenniscore ” trend that began last year but reached fever pitch with the release of “ Challengers ,” which starred Zendaya as the athletic heroine Tashi Duncan.
According to WGSN , tennis-inspired fashion increased by 7% year over year in 2024, while #tenniscore has scored millions of views on TikTok.
Tommy Hilfiger is known for the brand’s preppy attire — and polos are no exception. WWD via Getty Images
Miu Miu’s spring/summer 2024 runway brought back a host of prep-inspired trends, such as polos, boat shoes and smart specs. Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images Gucci also debuted a polo shirt on its SS24 runway. Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
“Tennis has always been associated with elegance, particularly from a sartorial point of view,” Lacoste’s deputy CEO Catherine Spindler previously told The Post. “In recent years, the influence of tennis in fashion has accelerated. Pieces inspired by the world of tennis are now worn by everyone.”
Even if you aren’t hitting the courts or country club this summer, the style fits into anyone’s wardrobe because of its ease and comfortability. Not to mention, it doesn’t have to break the bank — unless you’re buying Miu Miu.
“It works for almost all generations and body types,” a fashion trend forecaster at Modacable previously told The Post.
“Big stars wearing sports clothes everywhere makes people feel like they can look cool, spending almost nothing, in a basic track set or yoga set … It’s easy, and always on point in 90% of day-to-day life.”
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