Definition of a Polo shirt

Theresa

I've been confused lately by the use of "Polo" to describe necklines in some of the books I've been reading lately (I borrowed almost every "style" book my library has LOL). Polo seems to be a term used for what I consider a turtleneck.

So, of the two pics, what do you consider a Polo?

I would consider this one a turtleneck:
http://www.tallulahfashion.com.....k-2359.htm

And this a polo:
http://www.ralphlauren.com/pro.....age=family

What do you think? Are the terms interchangeable for *turtlenecks*, and if so, what then do you call what I call a *polo*?

15 years ago

General

7 replies

Latest reply was from Theresa

April

Veteran

Theresa, I think this one depends on which side of the ocean you're on. A "polo neck" is the European/UK term for what in American is known as a turtleneck, but in America a "polo shirt" is the kind you linked to.

Traditionally, polo shirts are a lot less fitted than the one you've shown: http://www.landsend.com/pp/Sho.....038;sku_0=::GRH&CM_MERCH=IDX_00001__0000000017&origin=index

15 years ago

rute

Veteran

well, I'm portuguese, so things can be different from one place to another, but I agree with your definition, here we call the first one a turtleneck and the second one a polo!

15 years ago

Queen Mum

Veteran

my terminology is the same as yours Theresa-- the first is a turtleneck, the second is a polo shirt.

15 years ago

RoseandJoan

Veteran

In the UK the first would be classed as a polo neck sweater and the second as a polo shirt. The polo shirt is used as gear when playing polo but I do not know the origin of the name for the polo neck.

I can't believe the polo shirt is named Julie

15 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Angie calls turtlenecks polo necks. I've never heard anyone else do that before. The collared shirt is what I call a polo shirt.

15 years ago

celia

Veteran

I'm with Rute(maybe because I'm also portuguese), for me the first one is a turtleneck and the second a polo. Actually sometimes we refer as a sweater with the second kind of colar as a polo.

15 years ago

Theresa

(website)

Veteran

ahhh this all makes perfect sense - the one book that had me most confused was by Trinny & Susannah - so a book from the UK.

Thanks so much for clearing this up for me!

At least now I know the differing terminology - I'm still constantly amazed at the differences between our nations!

15 years ago

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