Petit Piqué Polo
The classic-fit piqué polo with the embroidered crocodile is the garment Lacoste invented and still builds every collection around.
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Lacoste
French sportswear house behind the crocodile-logo L.12.12 polo, blending tennis heritage with contemporary streetwear collections.
ParisOrigin
UnisexFocus
Athleisure / SportswearStyle
$$Price
24 brands like Lacoste like Fred Perry, lyle and scott, Polo Ralph Lauren →
What to know about Lacoste
One polo carries the house
The L.12.12 petit piqué polo with the embroidered crocodile has been the core product since the 1930s, and tops remain what the brand is bought for.
Tennis origin, not fashion origin
Founded in 1933 by tennis champion René Lacoste with knitwear manufacturer André Gillier, so the tennis apparel and tracksuits are the source line, not a spin-off.
Mid-price reach, runway ambitions
Sold at mid-tier prices across sneakers, bags and licensed fragrance and eyewear, but shows collections at Paris Fashion Week under creative director Pelagia Kolotouros.
The pieces that define Lacoste
Shop Lacoste →
Roland-Garros Collection
Lacoste's long-running French Open kit ties the label back to René Lacoste's tennis roots.
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Leather Court Sneakers
Court-bred leather styles like the Linecourt, Aura and Baseshot Pro are Lacoste's footwear signature.
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How Lacoste fits
Overall fit
runs small
Lacoste is widely reported to cut slim by American standards, with the numeric French sizing running roughly one size smaller than the equivalent US letter size, so most people find a size up gives the intended relaxed classic look.
Tip: Most shoppers size up one from their usual US size, and note Lacoste's numeric sizing (3≈S, 4≈M, 5≈L, 6≈XL, 7≈XXL).
High confidence · based on 25 sources
By category
| Category | Runs | Shape | Size advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hoodies & sweatshirts | slightly small | regular to slightly trim, less boxy than typical US streetwear fleece | Size up if you plan to layer or prefer a roomy hoodie. |
| Shirts & overshirts | runs small | the L.12.12 polo and woven shirts both read slim and European, with narrow armholes | Take the next size up (e.g. a US medium usually maps to a Lacoste 5) unless you specifically want the tennis-slim look. |
| Trousers & pants | slightly small | regular to slim chinos and tapered track pants | Consider one size up in the waist if you're between sizes or prefer a looser seat and thigh. |
| Jackets | runs small | slim, athletic track jackets and trim outerwear through the chest and sleeve | Size up one for comfortable layering over a sweatshirt. |
| T-shirts & graphic tees | runs small | slim to regular, tapered through the torso with a fairly close sleeve | Size up one, or two if you want a genuinely relaxed drape. |
Directional fit consensus summarized from public sources with AI — a starting point, not a guarantee. Confirm with the product's own measurements before buying.
If you like Lacoste
See all 24 brands like Lacoste →
88% matchFred Perry
Tennis-logo polo heritage with mod subculture edge
What changes: Narrower range, British subculture coding vs French sport lifestyle
80% matchlyle and scott
Scottish eagle-logo knits and polos, more golf-leaning
What changes: Lower price, less fashion-week presence or footwear depth
76% matchPolo Ralph Lauren
Preppy American take on the animal-logo mesh polo
What changes: Ivy/prep styling and full tailoring rather than tennis sportswear
71% matchTommy Hilfiger
Mass-market logo sportswear with same polo-and-track DNA
What changes: Nautical prep and heavier flag branding, less sport-performance
Lacoste fit questions
Does Lacoste run big or small?
Lacoste runs small. Most shoppers size up one from their usual US size, and note Lacoste's numeric sizing (3≈S, 4≈M, 5≈L, 6≈XL, 7≈XXL). Lacoste is widely reported to cut slim by American standards, with the numeric French sizing running roughly one size smaller than the equivalent US letter size, so most people find a size up gives the intended relaxed classic look.
How does Lacoste fit?
Lacoste is widely reported to cut slim by American standards, with the numeric French sizing running roughly one size smaller than the equivalent US letter size, so most people find a size up gives the intended relaxed classic look. Overall shape: trim European cut, narrow through chest, shoulders and sleeve.
How do Lacoste hoodies & sweatshirts fit?
Lacoste hoodies & sweatshirts fits slightly small. Size up if you plan to layer or prefer a roomy hoodie. Shape: regular to slightly trim, less boxy than typical US streetwear fleece.
How do Lacoste shirts & overshirts fit?
Lacoste shirts & overshirts runs small. Take the next size up (e.g. a US medium usually maps to a Lacoste 5) unless you specifically want the tennis-slim look. Shape: the L.12.12 polo and woven shirts both read slim and European, with narrow armholes.
How do Lacoste trousers & pants fit?
Lacoste trousers & pants fits slightly small. Consider one size up in the waist if you're between sizes or prefer a looser seat and thigh. Shape: regular to slim chinos and tapered track pants.
Brand facts
Lacoste is a French sportswear label founded in 1933 by tennis champion René Lacoste and knitwear manufacturer André Gillier, headquartered in Paris. Its core product remains the L.12.12 petit piqué polo with the embroidered crocodile, alongside tennis apparel, tracksuits, sneakers, bags and licensed fragrances and eyewear. The company shows collections at Paris Fashion Week and sits under Swiss group Maus Frères/MF Brands, which took full ownership in 2012. Pelagia Kolotouros leads creative direction, and Éric Vallat became CEO in September 2025.
- Founded
- 1933
- Origin
- Paris, France
- Made in
- France, Peru, Morocco, El Salvador, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Romania
- Price
- $$
- Typical prices
- Shirts $99–$161 · Knitwear $120–$186 · Bags $152–$219
- Focus
- Unisex
- Facts checked
- September 2026
- Styles
- Athleisure / Sportswear, Urban prep / Ivy, Streetwear