The brand has been around for quite some time. It’s major competitors would include Tommy Hilfiger, Lacoste, and U.S. Polo Assn. The brand lately has been very popular in the African-American community. There is no set brand for any race, orientation, or religion we have the right to choose whatever we want to wear. Different brands have been consuming different groups since fashion has been expressed. Some may say that amongst teenagers specifically Hollister, American Eagle, and A&F are the status symbols of American teenagers. I myself would be guilty of it, at one time I was hungry for these brands to set myself in the levels of popularity.

Polo to me is one of the most used brands as a status symbol, especially in African-American males. There have been terms derived such as “polo boy” or “polo status” that has been thrown around the block.  I work in retail and has seen this happen. African-American guys have came asking do we sell Polo. I say we don’t and I suggest other affluent and high-end brands including Nautica, I even suggest Lacoste sometimes. I always get the response “never mind” or “its all about that polo”. It’s not Ralph Lauren’s fault that we are obsessed with his brand to the point of tatooing it on our bodies. His brand is iconic, high-end, and very on trend. I just don’t think it should be a status symbol among a group of people nor, do I believe it should be worn in the wrong way. The link and pictures  below shows how much some people value the Polo brand.(http://www.ghettoredhot.com/tag/ralph-lauren/)

All these are ways that people have either used Polo as a status symbol or just blatantly went OVERBOARD with their love of the brand. There is correct ways to wear every piece but as a tattoo on a hairy chest please. To avoid becoming a racist or activist blog we could go in more detail about how Polo is used in a status symbol but I like how this guy says it, because its not one race of people, as  A LOT OF PEOPLE have suggested, read what he states…

I don’t agree with the whole statement but some of his points are very good and I agree with them.

I don’t want to sound like an activist or anything just voicing my opinion. If not clear my opinion is Ralph Lauren is an amazing brand, I like it myself. However, I think that it,  just like a lot of other brands, are becoming a status/division symbol among groups of people and maybe even as a society as a whole.

There will be a part two of this blog going in more detail (if great response) and discussing the “fake polo” as its called. So, I leave you with the question Polo a status symbol or a poison? Comment please and express your opinion!