7 Surprising Facts You Didn't Know About Lacoste

25 Mar 7 Surprising Facts You Didn’t Know About Lacoste

Posted at 23:44h in MENSWEAR TRENDS, BRAND SPOTLIGHT, STYLE INSPIRATION by Yelyzaveta Тymchenko 0 Comments

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We’re thrilled to stock Lacoste at MenswearOnline this season!

From the legendary polo shirt that changed sportswear forever to its effortlessly cool French style, Lacoste has been an icon for decades.

But there’s more to this brand than just its famous crocodile – here are 7 fascinating facts you might not know!

1. Founded by a Tennis Legend

Lacoste was created in 1933 by René Lacoste, a French tennis champion, who won seven Grand Slam titles and was nicknamed “The Crocodile” due to his tenacity on the court.

2. INVENTOR OF THE POLO SHIRT

Lacoste is credited with creating the first modern polo shirt, which was originally designed to replace the stiff, long-sleeved tennis attire of the early 1900s.

Lacoste Green Classic Fit Cotton Polo

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Lacoste Black Classic Fit Cotton Polo

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Lacoste D Blue Classic Fit Cotton Polo

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3. Revolutionized Sportswear

The Lacoste polo shirt was the first to feature a logo on the outside of a garment, a trend that later became common in fashion.

Before Lacoste, tennis players wore long-sleeved shirts. René changed the game with the short-sleeved, breathable polo, making sportswear stylish and functional.

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4. The Crocodile Logo Origin

In the 1920s, Lacoste spotted a stylish crocodile-skin suitcase in a Boston shop window while traveling with his team for the Davis Cup. His coach jokingly told him that if he won his upcoming match, he’d buy him the suitcase as a prize.

Though Lacoste didn’t win, the press got wind of the story and began calling him “The Crocodile,” a nickname that stuck thanks to his tenacity and relentless playing style on the court.

5. The Number 12.12

The iconic L.12.12 polo gets its name from: L for Lacoste, 1 for the fabric (cotton petit piqué), 2 for the short-sleeve design, and 12 as the final prototype chosen.

Made using 20 kilometres of thread knitted under two levels of tension and a crocodile logo with 2367 stitches, the Original L.12.12 is a real coming together of know-how and expertise.

Lacoste Black Classic Fit Cotton Polo

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Lacoste White Classic Fit Cotton Polo

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6. Sustainable Commitment

–The brand has launched eco-friendly initiatives, such as using organic cotton, recycling programs, and supporting wildlife conservation efforts, including a partnership to protect real crocodiles.