The wardrobe staple that revolutionised smart-casual dressing; we present Luca, the polo designed with the sensibility of a shirt.

Associated with many sports (and therefore known by many names), the tennis, polo, golf, or chukker shirt’s origins trace back to the mid-19th century. Its very first iteration stems from India in 1859, where British soldiers adopted the attire worn by local pulu (which later evolved to ‘polo’) players in Manipur. At the time, these were lightweight cotton dress shirts with rolled up long sleeves, open plackets, worn by any players of the hugely popular sport. 

During the early 20th century, the style was adapted by both sartorial and sportswear men’s designers; whose combined input introduced shortened sleeves, buttons on collars, and longer “tails” that could be tucked in. In the 1950s and 60s, the cut made its way to the public eye; stars such as Marlon Brando, Paul Newman, Elvis Presley and Brazil’s own Pelé were known to be partial to a polo shirt. These endorsements from effortlessly stylish Hollywood actors, musicians and athletes cemented the polo as the ultimate smart casual style staple. In the century since, these characteristics have been adapted and re-adapted for various purposes, depending on the niche they’re being designed for. 

FRESCOBOL CARIOCA prioritizes this intersection of refinement and comfort within each garment. It is no surprise, then, that when it came to developing the perfect polo, the process was handled with the utmost care and importance. After expansive research, FRESCOBOL CARIOCA is proud to introduce Luca, the perfect polo. 

A refined essential for everyday wear, short-sleeve Luca is crafted in lightweight cotton piqué for breathability and repetitive wear. Designed as a polo with the sensibility of a shirt, Luca features a cutaway collar and curved hem inspired by the bestselling Antonio shirt - bringing tailored details into an effortless, everyday form, and harkening back to the origins of the polo shirt. Finished with rib-knit trims and a placket featuring the subtle shimmer of mother-of-pearl buttons. 

Luca is part of our CARIOCA Essentials, crafted to slot seamlessly into an everyday wardrobe rotation. Cut from 100% cotton piqué, a fabric chosen for its adaptable wearability and honeycomb-like texture, Luca was created to be lived in and worn often, growing softer and more familiar with wear and wash. Designed to act as a foundational silhouette and anchor the wardrobe with ease and confidence, this is a piece one reaches for without thinking. 

Discover the Luca Polo