What is it about men’s polo shirt that has made it such an enduring classic? Is it the combination of a soft collar, short sleeves and subtly textured piqué-cotton that manages to bridge the tricky gap between smart and casual? Or is it the succession of iconic men who have championed it over the years? The latter, of course, never hurts.

The polo shirt as we know it today was invented in the mid-1920s by Mr René Lacoste, an enterprising French tennis player who was looking for a comfortable alternative to the elegant, if a little starchy, tennis whites of the day – white flannel trousers, a V-neck sweater and a long-sleeved shirt, often worn with a tie. Inspired by his friend, the Marquis of Cholmondeley, a keen polo player who took to the tennis court one day wearing a short-sleeved shirt with a soft button-down collar, Mr Lacoste designed a similar one for himself, adding a crocodile logo on the chest in honour of his nickname, “Le Crocodile”.

Championed by brands such as Polo Ralph Lauren, Fred Perry and the aforementioned Lacoste, the polo shirt has since become one of sportswear’s greatest crossover hits – and a favourite of some of the world’s best-dressed men. But even the best of us can fall into a rut when it comes to classic cuts. So here, we turn to some of the men who have worn the casual style best, to serve as inspiration next time you want to hit the clay – or just take a walk around the park.