Inspiration rétro pour nos nouveaux polos

Retro inspiration for our new polo shirts

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For professional shirtmakers like us, working with polo shirts is a no-brainer. After all, this piece is none other than the heir to the famous "polo shirt" , the short-sleeved shirt worn by polo players in 19th century India.

Polo players in Manipur, India, 1875. Credits: Bourne and Shepherd.

A little fantasy from the spring-summer 2024 collection , we have just published a deliciously retro pair, somewhere between tradition and modernity.

Two beautiful knitted polo shirts , which we present to you right away in length, width and herringbone.

At the crossroads of inspirations

After going through the " short-sleeved shirt with button-down collar " stage, the design of the polo shirt gradually solidified around the shape we know today: a straight cut, a pair of sleeves tightened by ribbing and a neckline open on the torso . However, not all polo shirts are equal. Between the first French polo shirts and the "pie server" collar versions of the seventies, everyone will admit a difference close to the big gap.

To develop ours, we attempted the grand synthesis: the unexpected fusion of classicism and audacity .

From the 1930s, we have kept the 100% cotton , the ribbed edges and the generous collar , inherited from a certain René Lacoste.

René Lacoste, French tennis player and founding father of modern polo.

From the 70s , we have saved the crochet texture, the play of contrasts and a certain form of irreverence.

Joe Pesci and Ray Liotta in “Goodfellas” by Martin Scorsese, 1990.

Splitting the difference, it is in the aesthetics of the 50s and 60s that we drew the inspiration which presided over the creation of our two polo shirts .

Anatomy of Hast Polo Shirts

New for the summer season, our duo of knitted cotton polo shirts won't go unnoticed. With a look reminiscent of polo shirts from the 50s and 60s, they evoke a retro aesthetic that is reminiscent of Courrèges fashion, the Nouvelle Vague, the Yéyé years and Alain Delon in "Plein soleil".

Knitted in a herringbone stitch with a technique that subtly evokes crochet, it offers a rich and original texture, particularly pleasing in the summer. A simple and effective way to bring relief and breathability to your summer outfits. Above all, its contrasting collar line introduces an invigorating pattern, all in dosage and finesse. Confusing as it should be and strangely elegant.

Unlike the polo shirts of the swinging sixties, all dressed in acrylic, ours are made of 100% cotton , a natural raw material whose softness, resistance and lightness you are probably familiar with. On the skin or over a tank top, you can rely on its absorbent and hypoallergenic properties to accompany you between May and October.

In terms of finishing, your servants have set the bar where you know. Ribbed edges on the sleeves and bottom of the piece, pure mother-of-pearl buttons , knitting ensured in the European Union on the Lithuanian side : we have covered your back by perfecting it down to the smallest details.

How to wear Hast polo shirts?

Although preferable to winter in many ways, summer is nonetheless the most boring season when it comes to clothing. Like ice cubes in a frappé coffee, summer temperatures tend to dissolve the realm of possibilities in terms of clothing, which leads to the uniformity of outfits that we see for about three months a year.

Pieces, cuts, colours, materials: everything suddenly tends towards shorts and t-shirts , towards volume and white, towards cool wools and linen .

Fortunately, alternatives exist, and our two polo shirts proudly stand at their forefront. Very comfortable and elegant , to wear alone or with others, both will bring to your summer outfits the touch of casual chic that they usually lack.

In our opinion, there are several options available to you: The most obvious remains the essential shorts-polo duo. Simple and open to the four winds, this highly summery combination will allow you to face the strong heat with a duo cut out for this mission. During the day as in the evening, it is the perfect solution to avoid the scorching temperatures, and a tandem of choice in terms of comfort.

More formal, the option of a polo shirt tucked into trousers always has its little effect. In such circumstances, it is the choice of the latter that will guide the general register of the ensemble: a casual five-pocket (like chinos or jeans ) will pull your outfit towards the casual side, while formal trousers will give it a more sophisticated tone.

A notch higher in the repertoire of academicism, the polo shirt - two-piece suit pairing is one of the most admirable there is. The classic beauty of the suit is matched by the bold delicacy of the polo shirt , which generally delivers a tasty mix. Unlikely and surprising, the marriage of the most traditional of men's clothing and the natural heir to sportswear is nonetheless a happy one. For our taste, this is all the more true with this gracefully retro polo shirt whose contrasting collar lines will flatter the lapels of the smallest of your jackets .

A word on the maintenance of your polo shirts

Made from 100% cotton knit, your polo shirts can be machine washed without any problem, provided you select a cold cycle and a moderate spin (600 revolutions per minute) .

We recommend that you use a natural liquid detergent without bleaching agents , and dry flat in a well-ventilated area. To limit the risk of discoloration, direct sunlight should be avoided during this step.

To conclude

Straight out of the 50s and 60s with their deliciously retro aesthetic, our polo shirts invite you on a journey through time and a wonderful stylistic journey.

Brought up to date and adapted to the House's requirements (natural fibers, exceptional materials, European manufacturing), the duetto that we offer you as part of this spring-summer 2024 collection takes the form of a tribute to good taste and the vitality of an era.

Nostalgia? Let’s say gratitude instead.