When Rene Lacoste revolutionised tennis attire back in the early twentieth century, nobody had any idea how successful his creation would become. Beginning from the inconsiderately concocted, long-sleeve tennis whites, the French tennis icon sought to re-evaluate the design by taking into account its numerous drawbacks. From shorter sleeves to a pique collar capable of protecting the sun from a player’s neck, his work proved that the seven-time Grand Slam singles winner was as much a genius off the court as he was on it.

Now the garment also has applications across golf, rugby and, of course, the sport of polo which was synonymous for Oxford-cotton, button-down long-sleeves that, again, were cumbersome and uncomfortable to wear till Lacoste’s intervention.

In modern society, the jersey knit shirts are adopted outside the arena of sport and practically every clothing brand offer the style as an option. Polo shirts have retained an ageless appeal across both men and women for their cosiness and look. Because of this, it’s not uncommon to see them used internationally as casual wear, formal wear or within business industries as part of a compulsory uniform.

Lacoste 1212 White Pique Polo – £75.00

The classic Lacoste polo in white, made from 100% cotton with the 3 button collar. The style has remained exactly the same for decades. Lacoste has been serving up its famous tennis polo that now comes in every colour imaginable since 1933. Beware of fakes, it’s one of the most widely copied polos in the history of the garment.

Fred Perry Izzue Heritage Patchwork Polo – £70.00

Hong Kong fashion company, Izzue, are collaborating with Fred Perry to pay homage to five iconic styles created by the British answer to Lacoste over the years. The infusion mixes the classic, plain three-button ‘palette’ with contrasting patchwork and colours on the right shoulder and sleeves. This polo is typical of the authentic conventionality of Fred Perry and the flamboyant creativity of Izzue.

Polo Ralph Lauren Custom Long-Sleeved Flag Rugby – £115.00

It seems almost sacrilegious not to offer the typical short-sleeve with the iconic polo player silhouette emblazoned on the chest for Ralph Lauren, but the brand has such an extensive array of colourful rugby shirts, that the category just draws attention to itself. Here is a preppy blue yacht and white, trim-fitting version with a two-button placket, ribbed cuffs and embroidered flag crest.

Penguin Fingers Vertical Stripe Birdseye Polo Jumper – £65.00

Penguin are fast becoming the leading innovators of the smart polo. We’ve seen the horizontal striping of the Ralph Lauren rugby, now here is the slimming vertical striping of this 100% cotton, heritage fit t-shirt. In ‘total eclipse’ grey, it will complement trousers of almost any variation, but if you want to try something a little more daring, then go with the chrysanthemum shade.

Vivienne Westwood Man Black Polo – £47.00

Bright colours, unique styles and just a pinch of eccentricity; would you expect anything less from Vivienne Westwood? Signified by what I like to call the ‘Orb of Authenticity’, the black curved, four-button placket immediately sticks out and is symbolic of how much the Westwood label enjoys developing masterpieces out of the mundane.

Lyle & Scott Wide Striped Polo – £60.00

This Lyle &Scott selection is almost unconsciously commemorating the polo’s roots with the blue, white and red colour combo that mimics the French flag. Though it may not look like it, the shirt is slim Vintage fitting so you will have to consider your size carefully and possibly try going a size bigger.

Paul Smith Indigo Split Cotton Polo – £149.00

It’s safe to say that this is very pricey for a polo, but just how little would you expect to pay for the highest quality? Part of the Spring/Summer 13 men’s collection which has been inspired by photographs of the Kennedy family and the rich, dark influences of over sixty years ago, the gracefully tailored polo is crafted from pique and soft cotton, has a pointed collar and stands out from the crowd in glorious royal blue.

Ralph Lauren Purple Label Polo – £225.00

And finally, Ralph Lauren is hailed as the king of the polo, but even his regular polos, high quality though they undoubtedly are, pale in comparison to his premium offering – the Purple Label Polo. This particular example of polo supremacy is made from 100% lisle cotton, some of the most luxurious cotton in the world. The feel is incredible. Cut in a relaxed fit, it’s lightweight and features interior vents to make it breathable. The famous polo player label is sometimes substituted for a two race horse logo, but on this particular version, there is nothing at all, but no one will be in any doubt as to the quality of this princely polo.