Lacoste has been making the same quietly perfect pieces since René Lacoste founded the brand in 1933: piqué polos, dense cotton knits, trench coats in muted colours. That consistency is exactly why vintage Lacoste is worth buying — and why fakes are easy to get wrong.
Start with the crocodile
The logo is your first filter. On an authentic vintage piece the crocodile is precisely stitched or embroidered, with a defined jaw, visible legs and a tail that follows the body's line. Sloppy embroidery, a skinny or blob-like shape, or a logo that sits oddly low on the chest are all warning signs.
Feel the fabric
Lacoste's piqué cotton has a distinctive textured weave that holds its shape for decades. Vintage knits should feel dense and substantial in the hand — the brand's chemise knits were built to last. If a "vintage" sweater feels thin, stretchy or shiny, it has either been worn to death or it was never the real thing.
Check the label and buttons
Vintage Lacoste labels changed over the decades — from the early embroidered crocodile tags to the green-and-white labels of the 1980s and 90s. Buttons should be mother-of-pearl or quality resin, usually branded, and always evenly spaced. A modern plastic button on a "vintage" polo is a red flag.
Vintage Lacoste in our catalogue right now
Every Lacoste piece we list has been checked by hand before photography. Currently in stock:
- Lacoste slim-fit colourblock long sleeve polo — a rarer cut in excellent condition.
- Lacoste blue vintage knit sweater — the classic chemise knit in a wearable blue.
- Lacoste check flannel overshirt — perfect layered over a plain tee.
- Vintage Lacoste red wool turtleneck — heavyweight winter knit.
Browse all menswear and new arrivals — each listing includes honest condition notes and exact measurements, so what you see is what ships.