Introducing: The short-sleeved Friday Polo
* For stock availability, please check the Shop page of the website*
A new iteration of our Friday Polo is available from today on the Permanent Style shop: a short-sleeved model for the summer.
It is made in the same Caccioppoli piqué cotton as the long-sleeved polo, in two colours: our standard navy, and a slightly paler grey (which I personally prefer to the grey of the long sleeves).
The short-sleeved polo has also been cut slightly shorter than the long-sleeve, with a squared off bottom edge. This means it could be worn untucked if desired, though it is still primarily designed to be worn tucked in, under a jacket or knitwear.
Other than that - and the short sleeve of course - this is the same Friday Polo as has sold out continuously over the past two years. The same high, two-piece collar, the same hand-sewn details around the collar and sleevehead (supervised by Luca Avitabile in Naples), and the same great-value price.
It is available to buy on the shop now. Please state your preferred size and colour in the notes when you order.
(The Friday Polo continues to be below normal multiples, not have VAT added, and now benefits from a very depressed pound. Or rather readers benefit, I don't!)
Quite a few readers had requested a short-sleeved model over the past six months, and I'm glad to finally have it ready.
We spend a little time on the length and finish to the bottom edge, as well as the shape of the sleeve - which you will notice doesn't have the tight ribbing at the bottom, which I've never liked, preferring and simple turnback and stitch of the cloth itself.
There will be more long-sleeved Friday Polos, but not until the Autumn. And we only have 100 of these short-sleeved models available, which I'm sure will go fast.
The Friday Polo is pictured here in two outfits - under my olive-coloured Caliendo cotton suit (full review of that next week) and under my navy hopsack double-breasted jacket (also Caliendo).
I find this grey works particularly well under dark jackets, in a similar way to grey shirts I like and have worn from Luca and from Simone Abbarchi. It is a chic and casual alternative to the normal white or pale blue you'd expect under a jacket.
The navy is very versatile, and I particularly like it tone-on-tone under a navy jacket. I'm pictured here discussing a new commission with Taka at Liverano & Liverano in Florence.
The details of the short-sleeved Friday Polo, and way to order, are:
Basics
- Two colours available: Navy and Grey
- Four sizes: Small, Medium, Large and Extra-large (see table below for dimensions)
- Price £150
- Available solely through Permanent Style
- Buy from the shop page here
Shipping
- Postage is £9 in the UK, £11 in Europe and £16 anywhere else in the world
- Packages sent by FedEx from Naples (tracking number available on request)
- Returns and refunds available if the product is in a resellable condition, although we do not cover the cost of return postage
Product details
- Mid-weight Caccioppoli pique-cotton fabric
- Hand cut and partly hand sewn, all in an atelier in Naples that makes for several big designer brands
- Cutting and work overseen by Luca Avitabile, bespoke shirtmaker
- Mother of pearl buttons
- Stand collar, like a shirt, to help it sit under tailored jackets
- Slots in the collar for shirt-stays
- Squared off tail and front, but a touch longer than most polos
- Shirts will not shrink when washed, but should expand slightly in the waist. Do wash cool and line dry
Sizing
- The shirts have a moderately slim fit
- I am wearing a medium and have a 38-inch chest
- If you are unsure about fit, we recommend comparing the measurements below to a polo shirt you currently own. They are in centimetres.
Chest Waist Yoke Sleeve length Body
S 102 92 40 20.5 70
M 106 96 44 21.5 71.5
L 116 106 47 24 73.5
XL 124 114 48 24.5 75
Photography: Jamie Ferguson @jkf_man
Just curious why Europe are getting a 20% discount (on top of the benefit of the collapsed pound)? May as well get them sent to our irish pad and reforwarded back to the UK to benefit from both aspects
Everyone in the EU gets the same benefit (including the UK, we’re still in the EU!) as I’m not charging VAT. This is because I am not registered for VAT. Everyone outside the EU would normally be able to claim back VAT, but they can’t here as there isn’t any.
Ahh ok, that isnt how it read to me so thanks for clarifying.
I know we are still in the EU but as per your own shipping costs most say UK, EU and RoW and thus imply the UK isnt the same as the rest of Europe.
Yes, good point
Simon,
Are you allowed to sell without charging VAT? Will we as purchasers be liable as aiding in VAT evasion. The revenue has become quite strictt regarding this in recent years.
S
Yes, I am allowed, as my sales do not reach the UK cap at which a person must be registered for VAT. (Though the rate the polo shirts are going, that might be breached soon!) It’s not always a good thing though, as it means I can’t claim back VAT from suppliers.
With the rate these are selling are you planning to keep them a permanent, regularly stocked fixture (short and long)
Potentially, yes. As a very small business buying large stock volumes is obviously an issue, but we are increasing the orders each time to try and have stock left over.
Brilliant, so glad for these but i would probably wear un-tucked more than tucked. Not having the longest of body’s would you say the length on these will alter well. I have had a few polos altered before but the cut of them meant the balance and the shape was a bit off. A bit like when you alter the length on some jeans/ trousers too heavily.
You could alter the length pretty easily, yes
When you say should expand slightly in the waist, what about the chest too. I seem to be about 1 -1.5 cm to big for a medium and a large will be way too big. Luca did tell me last week they do stretch which is why he is avoiding doing them bespoke now, but if they only expand in the waist and not the chest a medium still maybe too close.
I think it’s worth trying a medium, Adam. The stretch is only slight (and more in the waist just because it is no so constrained by the seams around the arms and shoulders) but the material is quite stretchy anyway too, so if you don’t mind it fitting close on the chest it might be ok
Thanks Simon, I have put in the order so we will see. One thing though when I was measuring you said in the article these are a little shorter, but the measurements seemed to be the same as on the long sleeve article.
Good point, I’ll correct that
I don’t believe you have amended the length yet? Can you tell me the length of the medium. Thanks
My apologies, let me get those from Luca now
The lengths have now been updated
Do you know what watch Taka is wearing? JLC reverso classique?
Interesting looking jacket the young man in your picture is wearing.
Yeah, Taka’s wearing a lovely old cotton jacket that he’s had for years. It’s aged beautifully
Hi Simon
Both Caliendo jackets look absolutely superb as usual.
Can Luca make these polo shirts bespoke?
Many thanks
Yep, though one of the reasons we did these RTW is there is less benefit to bespoke, given how soft/stretchy the material is
I had a couple made bespoke as I’m 6’4″ with long arms and the RTW wouldn’t have fitted. They’ve come out very nicely – probably a MTM is all that was needed but Luca’s bespoke price isn’t hugely more than the RTW price.
Super, good to hear
Another great offering Simon and I’m in agreement with you on the paler grey.
Apologies if this is covered elsehwere but could you let us know how the garments are measured? I only ask because I wanted to compare the measurements above to those of a John Smedley polo on their website and there are some large disparities which I guess are because they’ve measured in one way and you’ve measured in another (notably on sleeve length).
Thanks so much and congratulations on another superb collaboration.
Good point, I’ll get a sketch of the places to measure
You mentioned the higher collar on these polos, and am aware this is something Luca offers on his shirting. Is this your go to option (having a higher collar) and if so reason why? Stylistically the rationale?
They have a higher collar than a normal polo shirt, not than a normal shirt. Luca doesn’t necessarily cut a higher collar than others on bespoke – the choice is mostly a question of neck length, and a little bit style
I have been waiting for these and already my shirt of choice (navy xl) is gone. I can’t believe it!
Sorry Rob… Demand keeps on growing faster
Simon,
I am an avid reader and just want to say thank you for all your recommendations. I am in the midst of commissioning a suit with Whitcomb & Shaftesbury at the moment (just met with them today in NYC), and had my second fitting today and was quite pleased so far.
I am very interesting in purchasing one of these polo’s as they would fill a void in my wardrobe, however I’m not sure what size I would be.
I wear a 52 in all my current Loro Piana polo’s ( they have a similar style polo to this), should I assume I am a L or XL? do they run slim?
Thank you!
They are a little slim, but as I say in the text, please check something else you wear against the measurements if you’re unsure
Simon,
Off-topic question if I may: of all the tailors you have tried so far, which one has provided the best fit on a first suit? Which tailor pays most attention to fit?
I would guess Cifonelli, but it would be interesting to know.
Thanks,
S
That’s very hard to say, most pay very close attention to fit, and were very good on the first suit. Off the top of my head I’d pick out Cifonelli, Camps de Luca, Liverano, A&S and Dege & Skinner
Hi Simon. Do you know when the shirts ship ?
Monday
I own the long-sleeve shirt and I cannot recommend it highly enough–the cotton is beyond luxurious. Thank you Simon.
I finally received my first bespoke shirt from Luca. I’ve had a number of shirts made bespoke before in London, but this is something else. From the first time I put it on, it just feels better, feels more natural than any other shirt I own. There’s something immensely satisfying about wearing a garment like this – especially something as intimate as a shirt. I see what you’ve said about that collarband hugging the neck better. Even more – I can lift my arms to the ceiling and neither the cuffs nor the collar budge more than about a mm. And I can do this with the top two buttons open! Truly remarkable. Thanks for pitching Luca on your blog, and I’ll definitely be ordering more from him.
One question: in the past I’ve heard that quality shirts (especially bespoke) always have a split yoke. I must admit to never fully understanding the reasons given for this. Luca’s shirt does not have a split yoke, yet is perfectly comfortable. Is a split yoke actually necessary, or is yet another extraneous “symbol” of quality?
In theory, it helps the shirt fit because you can vary the angle of the cloth on both sides. But no, it’s unlikely to make any noticeable difference
Got mine yesterday Simon, just in time for the heatwave. Many many thanks. I love my two long sleeved ones. The short sleeved is as good. Great fit. Perfect length. Absolutely love the collar on a short sleeved polo. Superb. Very pleased. Only one plea. More colours please!! White for sure. Red anyone?
Thanks Rob, so nice to hear!
Dear Simon
Polo’s look very nice , like the high collar, one thing though how about extending the sleeve length a little more?
How do you think D’Avino would do making a polo shirt as I know you have used them in the past?
Keep up the good work.
Regards
Gohar
Yes, D’Avino would do one.
We did try a longer sleeve, but I prefer this length. The finish at the bottom does make them a touch dressier though, which I like
Thanks Simon,
Just taken delivery of my short sleeved polo and so pleased it has the same quality as the long sleeved version. I look forward to the Autumn release of more Friday polos and the opportunity to get a long sleeve in navy. Keep up the great work.
Are these coming back any time soon?? I love my Navy one and have been wearing as a casual polo (not its intended use but oh well) and it is not too long that it looks silly un-tucked. Wish I had got one of each colour. The only downside for me is the slightly high collar, but i appreciate this is for it to work well with a jacket… Maybe a “Saturday polo” is called for too. !
Thanks. No immediate plans for the short sleeve, as the long sleeve will be next, in the Autumn. Definitely at some point though!
Hi Simon.
Just got my first short sleeve. I also have a couple of the 2015 editions of the long sleeves. When I compare the two collar type it seems that the new ones have a higher and more stiff collar than the 2015 editions of the long sleeve that are a bit lower and more soft.
Why the change?
Hi Morten,
We raised the collar a bit (2mm I believe) after that first batch in response to customer feedback that it didn’t quite work under a jacket collar. They have been that height ever since.
The interlining on the collar and therefore its softness hasn’t changed, but it could certainly have softened over the time that you’ve had the other ones perhaps?
Simon
Hi Simon.
Thanks for the answer.
I have done a bit of measuring of the collar.
Old: 85 mm
New: 94 mm
All size M
So at least the versions I have are a bit different (dont think that 20 degree washing or dry cleaning have shrunk them almost 9 mm)
It is a very good point regarding softness that time probably will change it.
Happy about the shirts and always get postive comments.
Morten
Hi Simon, excuse me for blowing off the dust on this thread. Since this item isn’t available anymore. Is there something rtw that comes close as an alternative?
No worries Mike.
The closest thing is probably the Armoury’s polos. The body isn’t cut like a shirt, but it’s still long enough to stay tucked in most of the time. And it’s not made with the hand work of this one. But the design is excellent
Who is the maker of the brown suit?
Elia Caliendo – see post on cotton suits