The Polo Suit Thread

Bringing this back with the newly released models I have experience with:

OP:

There are many threads where questions are posed regarding Polo Ralph Lauren Suits and the differences between the cuts.  This is in hopes that we can have 1 thread dedicated to all questions Polo suit related.I know about <a href="http&#58;//www.styleforum.net/showpost.php?p=883889&amp;postcount=15" target="_blank">this</a> post, but from experience I know it not to be 100% accurate/definite, see below&#58;

<b>Polo I - single vent, 2 button (full, traditional cut) -</b>
I have a Polo I that is 2B, but slim, double vented.

<b>Polo II - double vent, 3 button (traditional cut, but 3 button and side vents can make it look slimmer than Polo I) - </b>
I have 3 Polo II suits, all double vented, 3B and slim, but 1 has a ticket pocket &amp; pants with side adjusters,  1 has flat front pants and 1 has double forward pleated pants.

<b>Polo III - double vent, 2 button, ticket pocket - </b>No experience here (unless these are the ones that say BLUE LABEL (see below)

<b>Polo IV - double vent, 3 button, ticket pocket (slightly higher arm holes, so feels trimmer about the chest) -</b>
No experience here (unless these are the ones that say BLUE LABEL (see below)

<b>BLUE LABEL - </b>
I have 2 suits that are marked Blue Label in lieu of Polo I-IV, one is 3B, side vented, slim with pleated trousers.  The other is 3B, side vented, ticket pocket, side adjusters on trousers (no belt loops)

<b>Garrison - </b>
I have a Garrison model that is 2B, side vented, WIDE lapels, pants have side adjusters and no loops.  I've seen Garrison models with belt loops.  Very trim fit with more padding in the shoulders  than I & II models.

<b>Bradford -</b>
I have a Bradford model that is 3B, side vented, slim lapels, pants have loops and double forward pleats.  I've also owned a Bradford model that was 2B, side vented, flat front with loops.  Very trim fit with more padding in the shoulders than I & II models.

[B]Desmond[/B]
The Desmond model I have is 2B, side vented, heavy flannel cloth (95/5 wool/cash) high armholes, slim sleeves.  Trousers are flat fronted with side adjusters and they came with belt loops in the bag.  My coat has a throat latch but Ive seen models without it.

[B]Garrison-Desmond[/B]
I've seen these for sale on eBay but I have no experience with them, tho it seems it just means a merge of the two models with WIDE lapels, high armholes and a nipped waist.  All of the models I;ve seen are side vented.

[B]Discontinued modes[/B] (copied from above link);

[B]Bleeker[/B] - usually 3 button, single vent; slimmer fitting (in both chest and arms), shorter in length for similar sized coats; suits with flat front pants, slim fitting and tapered.
[B]Congressman[/B] - similar to bleeker, though not sure whether pants are as slim fitting; seems to be sold at dept stores (like Macy's suit dept) rather than Polo stores.

What's your experience/input? Thanks

Edited by NORE - 10/14/11 at 4:07pm

That thread sucks. Gives none of the info I'm after here. But thanks, B.

With the one I have, the pants are slimmer, flat fronted and the coat too. The skirt flares out a bit more than the others, but that could just be a result of the fat I have being squeezed up by the pants. The coat sleeves are slim, too. Much like the IIs & Blue Labels.

Have to look into this, "Fairfax". Thanks

I've always thought the 7B numbers correlated to the cut/style.

So the Bradford suit I ordered came yesterday and here are some points I noted regarding fit:

Cut much trimmer than the I & II models.
Higher armholes (you can feel the seam in your pits)
Fit is very similar to the Garrison model.
More shoulder padding than the I & II.

The only thing I would change about these Polo suits is the way the sleeve hole is cut (or the shape of the hole). If they would just slant it back starting from the front of the shoulder, I think the lapels wouldn't gape when raising your arms with the jacket buttoned. Otherwise, they're solid suits that can be had at a fraction of retail.

I would suggest checking the Buying & Selling forum here (I've purchased 3 so far via B&S) or eBay (the balance of my suit purchases).