The Timeless Tennis Cool of Lacoste
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وقت القراءة 4 min
There’s cool — and then there’s Lacoste cool.
Few names in fashion can trace their beginnings to the white-lined calm of a tennis court and still command relevance nearly a century later. Yet here we are, with Lacoste’s small green crocodile still symbolising something more than sport: a shorthand for effortless French elegance — a legacy of precision, innovation, and timeless style that continues to inspire new generations on and off the court, blending Lacoste’s heritage with contemporary design in a way that feels as fresh today as it did when it first began.
The Man Behind the Crocodile
Before Lacoste was a label, it was a man.
René Lacoste, born in 1904, wasn’t just a world-class athlete; he was an inventor and a visionary. During the roaring 1920s, when tennis players sweated in stiff long-sleeved shirts, René wanted something that moved with him. He designed a lightweight, breathable petit piqué cotton shirt with short sleeves — a quiet revolution disguised as sportswear.
His nickname, “Le Crocodile,” given for his relentless play, soon became his emblem. By 1933, partnering with textile entrepreneur André Gillier, René stitched the first crocodile onto his shirts — and, without meaning to, created one of the world’s most recognisable fashion logos.
René Lacoste, 1932 © Lacoste Archives
L.12.12 Polo Shirt photographed by Irving Penn, 1986 © Irving Penn
From Court Classic to Cultural Icon
The white polo made its debut on clay courts but quickly crossed lines into everyday life. It was practical, sharp, and, crucially, modern. Hollywood stars wore it off-duty, Ivy-League students paired it with chinos, and the post-war generation adopted it as the uniform of leisure.
As the decades rolled on, the crocodile adapted. The Seventies brought colour. The Nineties saw Lacoste reclaim its sporty roots through collaborations and streetwear influence. Yet, through every reinvention, that balance of sport and sophistication remained.
It’s why Lacoste stands apart from trend-driven labels: because its foundation was never just fashion — it was function refined into form.
Novak Djokovic & the Lacoste Polo — The King of the Court
Dressed in Lacoste’s iconic off-white polo, Novak Djokovic is draped in a golden tennis net transformed into a regal cape. The image celebrates both the man and the garment, honoring Djokovic’s undisputed GOAT status while reaffirming the polo’s place in the pantheon of fashion and sport icons.
Heritage Reimagined
Fast-forward to today, and Lacoste's world looks broader but no less precise. Under creative directors who understand the value of heritage — from Christophe Lemaire to Louise Trotter — the house has evolved without losing its accent.
The Lacoste 2025 collection, now at Maison de Fashion, captures that evolution perfectly. Think fleece hoodies in rich neutrals, modernised tracksuits that nod to the label’s athletic past, and elevated knit polos that still feel as sharp as René’s original invention.
It’s French cool translated for the modern wardrobe: wearable, refined, and Lacoste.
Why It Still Matters
In a fashion landscape obsessed with newness, Lacoste endures because it never chases. It knows what it is — a brand built on discipline, design, and the confidence of simplicity. The crocodile doesn’t roar; it glides.
To wear Lacoste is to understand subtlety: the precision of a collar, the weight of quality cotton, the whisper of legacy behind every logo.
“Lacoste has always been about timeless comfort,” notes Maison de Fashion’s buyer. “It’s the intersection of sport and elegance — clothing made to move, but crafted to last.”
Style That Evolves With You
Lacoste began as performance wear which evolved into a global language of understated luxury. The spirit of the sport — agility, confidence, and grace — still informs every silhouette today. But the modern interpretation is broader: the perfect knit layered under a wool coat, the track jacket paired with tailored trousers, or the half-zip fleece worn just as easily to brunch as to a match. These are clothes designed to move with you, wherever your day takes you.
The magic lies in the details — the texture of a fine cotton weave, the weight of brushed fleece, the balance between sharp tailoring and laid-back ease. It’s about looking refined without trying too hard; the kind of style that whispers rather than shouts. This is everyday dressing at its most considered: effortless, adaptable, and enduring.
A Winter Edit for Now
This season brings a renewed focus on warmth and tactility. Soft fleece hoodies and lined tracksuits meet cable-knit sweaters and wool accessories, creating layers that transition seamlessly between indoors and out. It’s an edit made for movement — outerwear that feels light yet protective, cotton polos that keep their structure, and trainers that balance sport and street.
Whether you’re dressing for a brisk morning commute or a weekend city break, this collection makes winter dressing simple but sharp. Every piece invites you to build a wardrobe that works in real life — smart, unfussy, and ready for anything the season throws at you.
Highlights from Our Latest Edit
- Refined Essentials: Polos, fleeces, and knits crafted for all-day comfort and movement.
- Seasonal Layers: From winter-ready outerwear to transitional pieces designed for effortless layering.
- Everyday Versatility: Tailored fits and premium fabrics that carry you from city days to weekend escapes.
In Summary
What makes this collection enduring isn’t just its design — it’s the heritage woven through it. Every stitch carries the echo of innovation, confidence, and the timeless pursuit of excellence. It’s a continuation of a legacy built on precision and performance, now adapted for a world that values comfort as much as style.
At Maison de Fashion, we celebrate that blend of past and present — the idea that true style isn’t seasonal, it’s lived. From the court to the city, from crisp autumn mornings to cool winter nights, it’s fashion that feels familiar yet always new.
Nearly 100 years after René Lacoste first stepped onto the court, his vision lives on — not as nostalgia, but as relevance.
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