A virtual Noah’s Ark of critters was unleashed upon the public in the 80s, proudly adorning what was the pinnacle of preppy clothing, the polo shirt. Alligators, foxes, tigers, swans – all found their way upon this elite sports attire at one time or another and offered a stylish look embraced by generation upon generation for over 80 years.

Originating with the (you guessed it) polo players of the roaring 20s, these stylish shirts enjoyed immense popularity as a result of being the attire of choice for French tennis legend Ren LaCoste, who first wore an embroidered alligator on his coveted Izod shirts. Woven in a special cross weaver pattern known as pique knit, the polo shirt offered a fabric with the ability to breathe and draw sweat from the body. As an added bonus, these comfortable shirts didn’t easily become untucked in the heat of competition, which was decidedly unsightly and unprofessional looking. With a back longer than the front, one could flail about with reckless abandon, knowing that style wouldn’t be compromised in the process. With a collar impervious to hurricane force winds, these shirts could take just about any sporting abuse and remain unblemished. Of course, in the 80s, those collars found themselves more often upturned than not, as was the preferred hip style of the day.

And although the collars have come back down in recent years, the popularity of polo shirts remains as high as ever. They have proven to be a timeless fashion that endures to this day, a bit of elite sportswear that has never managed to go out of style.