Clark, this question feels especially timely. I just got back from a spur-of-the-moment trip to parts unknown. (I really mean spur of the moment… Ann and I booked flights on Monday and touched down at noon on Wednesday. The Nice airport is a breeze.) And what did I bring?
Two polos, both alike in dignity,
In fair Provence, where we lay our scene.
We were joining one of my oldest friends — plus my daughter and her family — in a small town outside of Cannes. The place was crazy cool. A little like Chautauqua in the South of France with the community feel, but the whole property has this groovy, midcentury take on Provencal architecture.
Anyway, with one evening to pack, I threw some stuff in my bag: a couple of dress shirts, a Ghost Blazer (always,) some jeans, shorts, swim trunks, and two navy polos – one original and one Court. (Plus a white Court, too.) And to answer your question right off the bat – those two are basically interchangeable. You can wear them the same way, there’s no situation where one would work and the other one wouldn’t. But I like having both.
The original feels like a hand-me-down from your older brother. It’s looser and easier… more Preppy Handbook than #menswear. The sleeves are unbanded, there’s a front pocket for all your schtuff, and the placket has three buttons.
Court feels a little more… Euro. Sportier. It’s trimmer and slimmer and would look right at home on a yacht, if that’s your thing. The sleeves are banded, there’s no front pocket, and the placket is a little shallower than the original with only two buttons vs. three. We launched this last spring after hearing that some guys wanted a more traditional, René Lacoste-style polo. It took a while for me to get one and really start wearing it, so I’m a little late to the party, but I’m making up for lost time.
The material of both is the same: primo Peruvian pima pique. 100% cotton, always… we don’t mess with synthetics. We’re natural fibers people. And the collar of both is a cut-and-sew so it stands up nicely under a jacket, should you care to wear one.
I wore the regular one to play tennis… run to the Super U… and hang around the house. I wore the Court to play tennis again… to go to dinner by the pool… and also hang around the house. You’ll see that both options can be dressed up with a blazer or dress trousers; both options can be dressed down with shorts. My son-in-law hiked the Dolomites in his original; a friend of mine hits serves in his Court. Keith Mitchell plays golf in both.
As you may know, I spend a lot of time at the office so I’m in a shirt and tie 6 days a week. But coming off this trip, I’m feeling like that seventh day might need a little more Court in it.
Thanks for writing, Clark. Enjoy all your polos equally.
