Culture

'Sport of kings' shirt gets restyled

By Liu Yujie (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-08-19 10:04

Clockwise from top: A model poses in a pink polo shirt; a wriststrap by Dyrberg (680 yuan) is a great accessory; sports watches like those from Gucci (7,400 yuan) compliment polo shirts; a Prada bag (6,200 yuan) is a good match. [Photos provided to China Daily]

Like it or not, there is no escaping the fact that for many in Beijing, money and status are the controlling stakes in life.

This summer, polo shirts feature unique motifs that signal your personality and taste. METRO talked with Cameron Bai, the editor-in-chief of LEON China, who has more than 15 years experience as a dedicated follower of fashion, to find out how to choose a trendy polo shirt this summer.

"A man wearing a polo shirt with a motif is, in a woman's eye, a steak medium cooked, neither too mature, nor too tender, active and full of juice," said Bai.

Though polo shirts originated in the West, their designs are becoming more and more Asian oriented.

"I've seen so many trendy polo shirts with Chinese cultural elements this summer. For example, Shanghai Tang designed a shirt on which there is a map of China on the chest, suggesting China is No 1," Bai said.

Multiple treatments of several motifs on the same shirt are sought after, as they look very creative.

"It is really interesting to attach motifs on a shirt using different craftsman techniques, including patching, dying and embroidering, to create a multi-layer effect," Bai said.

The chest and back are not the only places to display motifs; it is now fashionable to place them on the back of the collar.

"With collars upright, a guy is very cool, but adding a motif behind the collar creates an even greater impression," Bai said.

He said there are a number of points to bear in mind when selecting a fashionable polo shirt.

First, fine workmanship is invariably sought after because it is not just a matter of look, but also determines how long a shirt can last. One of the most recognizable aspects of good design and fine workmanship lies in the collar.

"Good quality polo shirts often have double-layered collars, with their edge specially treated to help them stay in shape for a long time," Bai said.

Meanwhile, one should be careful about the way one wears a polo shirt. Three button polo shirts are the classic design, which are normally a bit wider than those with two buttons.

"The trend is either for wearing a two-buttoned polo shirt with the collar upright, or a three-buttoned one with collar flat. The latter is a better match with a jacket," Bai said.

Wearing a polo shirt naturally suggests a relaxed attitude to life and in terms of material, denim is being widely used in polo shirts this summer.

From top to toe, Bai thinks there are at least six accessories that complement a nice polo shirt: sunglasses, roomy bags, sports watches, beach sandals, wriststraps and knitted belts.

"First and foremost, the must-have item this summer in your collection should be a pair of water-drop shaped sunglasses. It stamps an 'in' on your face," Bai said.

Roomy bags with military patterns and a watch are also high on his recommendation list. Although watches are necessary for any occasion, Bai suggests wearing a sports watch with a black strap.

"Wrist straps with a little bit wider bands manifest masculine power and strength," said Bai, who prefers them in black for convenient matches with polo shirts in any color.

"If you are looking for a beach romance, why not try on a pair of natural fiber sandals. They dry quickly and look casual and romantic," Bai said.

Further, a one-size Bohemian style knitted belt is not only easily adjustable, but also attracts the attention of passers-by.