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A POLO STORY

FAY ILLUSTRATED

Polo. A word that seems to encapsulate a whole world: a cult piece that blends sports and elegance, and became a staple of the male wardrobe after making a name on the polo fields.
What if that wasn’t the whole story?
If we ventured along the Silk Route, not far from Gilgit (Pakistan), we might come across a famous inscription carved into a stone slab, which describes the oldest team sport – matches were being played in Persia 2500 years ago: "Let other people play at other things. The King of Games is still the Game of Kings".

BRITISH INDIA

Where polo was born

Played in ancient times by the warrior tribes of Central Asia, it was soon adopted as a training exercise for the cavalries of Shahs, Emperors, Caliphs and Sultans. It spread across the Asian continent as a royal pastime. However, the birth of modern polo came much later, when the first Polo Club was founded in India in 1859.

THE TRAVELLER

BRITISH INDIA

AN EXCLUSIVE ENGLISH CLUB

Where polo sport was coded

Soldiers in the East India Company’s army fell in love with polo and took the game back with them to London, setting up what would become the sport’s official authority – at least until the Second World War. It was here that the rules of modern polo were established; before long, the sport had spread all over the world.

THE CLUB MEMBER

AN EXCLUSIVE ENGLISH CLUB

PARISIAN CLAY COURT

Where polo shirts became a sport statement

The first polo shirt was made… for tennis. Back in the days when people routinely wore long trousers and a shirt on the court, a soft, lightweight short-sleeved jersey was nothing short of a revolution. The freedom of movement it allowed meant it was soon taken up by polo players too, in place of the original "polo shirts", though it kept the same name.

THE SPORTSMAN

PARISIAN CLAY COURT

A PARK IN ARGENTINA

Where polo games are on and people chill out

Introduced during the era of European emigration in the land of the Gauchos, polo found the perfect place to evolve into a global success story. Argentina’s wide-open spaces, equestrian tradition, and superlative horse breeds made it a polo lover’s paradise. Every December, 30,000 fans gather here to watch the world’s most prestigious polo tournament.

THE SPECTATOR

A PARK IN ARGENTINA

A GOLF COURSE IN USA

Where presidents play wearing their polos

Sporty types who have embraced the comfortable polo shirt include golf players, including many US Presidents who have worn it in their free time since the 1960s. Almost a uniform on the golf course, the polo shirt has become the symbol of off-duty elegance, and its extreme versatility means it can be worn every day.

THE MIGHTY MAN

A GOLF COURSE IN USA

A WINDY COAST IN NEW ENGLAND

Where polo shirts are a lifestyle

A sunny day, the wind in your hair and horizons to navigate. A yachtsman’s duffel bag is always sparingly and meticulously packed – but one thing it inevitably contains is a polo shirt: suitable for even the most dynamic days on deck, and ideal for relaxing in the harbour or on dry land. One garment, infinite stories.

THE SAILOR

A WINDY COAST IN NEW ENGLAND

THE POLO SHIRT ACCORDING TO FAY

A garment that never goes out of fashion; an object that encapsulates infinite stories; an emblem of freedom and informal elegance.
Charm, audacity, wit: a polo shirt is much more than a garment of clothing. Get inspired by the timeless style of Fay Polos.