Ever since the apparent demise of the Express Signature Polo, I’ve been on a mission to find a slim fit replacement.

I guarantee you this ain’t it.

It’s a pique polo.  I hate pique.  BUT… it is slim fit, and some of you seem to dig the pique polos.  Yes it’s made by the teenage favorite American Eagle, but for once they don’t put their AE Eagle logo on the chest.  Or anywhere else visible for that matter.  Why?

It’s made to be used as part of a common, simple and approved school uniform.

Perfect.  Now get your butts back to class whippersnappers.  Those of us in the rat-race are more than happy to take a few of these completely plain, trim fit basic polos off your hands while you’re in front of the chalkboard.

August 20th, 2010

Dear Express:

The Signature Polo

I’ll spare you the deserved compliments on your affordable suits, the 1MX shirt, and some of your winter coats in order to get straight to the point.

Where the hell did the Express Signature Polo go?

Y’know.  The plain ones.  With the stretch in the fabric.  Solid colors, sometimes stripes, but nothing too over the top.  These were one of the few articles of clothing in your stores without the Express lion logo on them.  Not even a tiny one.  Maybe there was one on the tag, but I haven’t ever noticed.  I was too busy pulling the best damn polo in existence over my head to look for any branding.

And now all of your available polos have some weird shield, or strange epaulets, or the lion.  Look, I understand the need to self promote.  But on everything?  What about a little subtlety?  A touch of humility?  The logo is enormous on some of them.  MGM Lion big.  Hakuna Matata Big.  Frighteningly large.

The fit on the Signature was perfect.  The stretch gave just enough, and the sleeves were the exact right length.  They’re durable, easy to dress up or down, and are (or were?) one of the best things you have going.  I used to pay full price for those things.  And coming from me?  That’s saying a lot.

But they’re gone.  And not a peep.  Say it ain’t so Express.  Say it ain’t so.

Sincerely,

P.S. If the Express Signature really is dead, could you pass on the stretch formula/secret to Target’s Mossimo polos?  Because they’re 100% jersey cotton, and the only thing that’s missing is that slight bit of give.

If not the Express Signature  what’s your go-to polo shirt?  Because I now need some suggestions.  Leave those in the comments section below.

What do you do when something looks 30% better than your second option, but also costs almost four times as much?

I lost a pair of Cole Haan Sunglasses about a month ago.  They were my go-to pair for when I was in a suit.  I’ve been working off my chunky Bauhaus Black Smith’s since then, and I knew I was stretching the style usage for the Smith’s the entire time.  Then I spotted a post by Barron from TheEffortlessGent.com.  It was about suits, sunglasses, and the misuse of the sporty style of shades.  I knew I was breaking a rule with the Smiths (wearing them with suits on occasion), but the post from Barron got me off my rear and out the door.

30 minutes into trying on sunglasses at my local outlet mall Sunglass Hut, I had it down to two distinctly different pairs.  Here they are, with the pros and cons of each, with the final outcome after that…

Pair #1 – Polo Ralph Lauren PH3050 – $150.00

Over the top expensive, but as good as it gets.

The Pros: The wire frames will work with any suit.  They’re the Perfect shape, retro but with modern sharp styling.  I love the bend in the nose piece.  Not straight across but dips just enough.  And major points for the subtle logo on the side and upper left lens

The Cons:  They’re really damn expensive.  But as long as I don’t lose them, (fingers crossed) I could be wearing them for the next decade.
.

Pair #2 – Ray Ban New Wayfarer – $119.00

A tremendous update, plus a wildly low price.

The Pros: The New Wayfarer is light years ahead of the classic wayfarer.  These are a perfect mix of retro style without the bulky blockyness of the original.  The tortoise shell pattern is much darker in real life.  It’s noticeable, but not too bold.  As for price, that was unbeatable.  The pair I found was only $40 (!!!) because of some tiny scratch I couldn’t and still can’t see.

Cons: I had gone in looking for wire frames.  It’s tough to find a pair of sunglasses that fit my face perfectly, and althouogh the Raybans were a really good fit, the Ralph Lauren pair were even better.  Plus, they’re not super trendy, but… they’re kind of trendy.

The Verdict:

I reluctantly handed over my debit card and watched as the saleswoman swiped away $150 .  I had gone for it.  Big time.  She handed me the Polos and the accompanying case, and I put them on as I walked out the door.  My car key turned in the ignition, I drove out of the parking lot, and quickly pulled over to the side of the road.

What the hell was I thinking.  We had just gotten a car out of the shop, we were about to take a week long vacation, and I had just spent $150 on sunglasses when an almost equally good looking pair was sitting there for $40?

I wheeled the car around, parked in front of the store and walked back in.  The saleswoman said: “Second thoughts?”  I told her I wanted the Ray-Bans.  She replied: “Not the first time someone has changed their mind that quick.”

So did I make the right choice?  Or would you have stuck with the original Polos?

Alfani has their RED Label, and apparently so does Lacoste.  Not sure which came first, but both “Red” monikers appear to mean the same thing.  A younger, slimmer, more athletic fit than their traditional more boxy apparel brothers.  Combine the Lacoste classic croc, not too bold stripes, and the new fit, and now there’s a pique polo worth paying $40 for.

Not $88.00, $40.00.  Thanks Nordstrom Sale.

Yes you’re paying for the croc.  And not being a slave to brands and their logos is extremely important if you’re buying on a budget.  But it’s fun to break that rule every once in awhile when you’ve got something like this.

Available in most sizes in a few different color options.

Don’t be thrown off by the goofy sizing:  3=XS, 4=S, 5=M, 6=L, 7=XL, etc…

With the lines of a plimsoll and thick construction of a Jack Purcell, the Ralph Lauren Elias Sun Washed sneaker rules the high end of affordable summer sneakers.  Is seventy bucks kind of expensive for canvas kicks?  Yeah… but look at what you get:

Thick padding at the heel, textured toe, and metal eyelets.  Polo badge at the back and tongue, washed and sunned canvas uppers, and a nifty bag to store them in.

Now they do come in three colors, but I’d ignore the grey.  That color combination is too much like Vans or Etnies.  The White will take you far into the fall, but the denim blue is strangely tempting as well.

On sale.  Size availability depends on the color.

The Express Signature is still the #1 polo out there, but a somewhat close second is the athletic fit polo from Target’s Mossimo Line.  And those just went on sale for a measly six dollars a piece.

The trim body and shorter but not too short sleeves are reminiscent of the Express Signature’s fit, and the smooth fabric is perfect for those of us who hate the thick spongy texture of pique polos.  These are 100% cotton, so unlike the Express polo there’s no stretch… but at six bucks… c’mon.  That’s a deal.

These are an essential piece to a laid back summer evening BBQ outfit that’s the midpoint between a Dandy who shows up in seersucker, and the party animal who arrives in cargo shorts and a bowling shirt.  Wear one of these polos with a pair of these jeans, these shoes with no socks, and then a sizable chronograph.  Done.  Perfect.

Target is currently offering eight solid colors.  Meaning you could get one of each and not break $50.  Basic stripes are a few bucks more.  Dig through the couch cushions for some quarters.  It’s time for a new well fitting polo.

If you like your casual wear a little more rough and weathered feeling, then this polo from Target’s Converse One Star brand could become your new favorite.

It’s got a pique box weave to the fabric, but unlike most other pique polos the cloth is neither thick or spongey.  The fabric is thin and light, but too thin, and the weave gives it a distinct texture.  Almost canvas in a way, but it doesn’t have any of the stiff weight.

The sleeves are modern and short, hitting just around mid tricep.  The body isn’t nearly as fitted as the Express Signature or the Mossimo Athletic fit polo, but it’s not a pure box cut either.  Reinforcing in the placket comes by way of a smoother fabric that gives it a nice touch.

And that chest pocket?  It doesn’t poof out at all.  Nice and trim to the body.  A great detail.

Even the striped version is on sale.

Say what you want about any drawbacks to the Express 1MX oxford, because the Express Signature Polo has none.  These polos have no equal.  Period.  And now they’ve gone back on sale for a little over $20, or just over $15 if you stock up and buy three.

These are not pique box weave polos. The fabric is mainly cotton with just a bit of spandex in it, giving the shirt a smooth and sleek look with plenty of stretch.  They’re durable, they move with you, and they feel like they were custom cut for your body.

It’s not tight, but fitted. Sleeves are cut shorter than most polos, which means they’re cut to the appropriate length.

There are cheaper options out there that are similar in cut and at first glance look… but the Express Signature with its snap-back stretch is worth the extra cost.  Especially during one of these sales.  All colors, all sizes, and even the stripes are on sale.

Use the online promo code 7283 to get the $15 off your $60 order of three.  Sale Ends Monday Night.

The perfect companion? Golana - $169

I think we can all agree that everyone likes their collars to stay up and not slouch down.  And there’s just something about a shock of bright white surrounded by contrasting cloth.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a fan of the white crew neck undershirt under the too bulky sport-shirt look.  But white on dark contrast is part of what makes the combination of a well cut suit and bright white shirt look so sharp.

Gap’s newest edition to their line of polos is something that I’m surprised hasn’t shown up earlier.  Heathered fabric for the base, and a streamlined but still sturdy rugby collar up top.  No unnecessary pocket keeps it streamlined.  I don’t even like traditional long sleeve rugbys, but there’s something about this polo.  It’s casual all the way and won’t replace the Express Signature Polo at the top of my list, but… just under $30 is pretty tempting for this particular laid back summer shirt.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but the charcoal or navy would look pretty good with a pair of shorts or casual chinos, brown belt, brown leather strap chronograph, and white sneakers or driving mocs on a warm and easy summer evening.  Wouldn’t it?

Just sayin’.

Also Available in medium gray and a lighter natural.

So sweets and I (sweets is the significant other) are bouncing from store to store looking for a pair of jeans for her, and things just aren’t working out.  Out last stop is The Gap, and while she heads back to the fitting rooms with an armful of denim, I spot a big sign:

“OUR ATHLETIC FIT POLO… YOU WON’T FIND A BETTER FIT FOR A LOWER PRICE”

I make a bee line and pick one up.  “Damn it” I think, because it’s one of those box-weave pique polos.  The same kind of fabric that makes up the polos your Dad and Grandpa still wear to the golf course.  The one’s that breathe about as well as a rain poncho on a sunny day in Tampa.  But I know she’s going to be awhile, so I grab a medium and head to the fitting rooms as well.

Under $30 for a truly athletic fit.

First thing I notice is that that even though it’s pique cotton, it’s not too heavy or thick.  It’s a medium weight with a tight knit.  And that’s a good thing.  As soon as I get it over my head I realize that yes, the fit really is athletic.  Not boxy, good and trim at the sides.  But it’s got some drawbacks too…

The sleeves are awfully short.  Maybe too short for some.  Whereas the Express Signature polo comes halfway down my bicep, this seems to only get a quarter of the way.  So for a lot of guys, that’s just plain too short in the sleeve.  Also this thing is long in the tail.  I’m 5’9 / 5’10″ and it’s a touch too long for my taste.  I know tucking-in is “in” but i still wear my polos out.  Too long for my taste.  And then there’s the logo.  Which looks quite a bit like the Ben Sherman trademark.

Imitation = Flattery

One last thing:  The promo poster in the store advertised that these polos have a collar that’s “sturdy enough to flip.”  So The Gap is seriously encouraging a collar popping renaissance?

No thanks.  I can’t support that.  I’ll stick to the Express Signature Polo.

But if they go on sale?  For say, $20?  I might buy a few.