Lacoste

Tennis star and Lacoste founder René Lacoste is best known for inventing the iconic cotton piqué L1212 polo shirt that enabled better movement for players on the court. His nickname, ‘The Crocodile’—which was given to him after betting the French Davis Cup coach a crocodile-skin bag—inspired the instantly-recognizable embroidered logo that helped cement the French casualwear brand as a status symbol of the 20th century. Many incarnations later, the crocodile remains at the centre of its understated designs. Synonymous with sporty functionality, the brand's elegant-meets-urban styles continue to find relevance in an ever-changing contemporary fashion landscape with the appointment of creative director Louise Trotter in 2019. Embarking on a new chapter in its rich history, the label advances street-forward appeal with oversized incarnations of its cotton piqué staples. Crewneck sweatshirts, t-shirts and polos enjoy of-the-moment colorways, featuring minute, modern tweaks. Conserving its certain je ne sais quoi nearly a century after opening its doors, Lacoste remains the epitomization of athletically-informed luxe.