Lacoste Bags

Behind the Brand

Jean Rene Lacoste, the name behind the Lacoste Empire, was originally noted as one of the world's top tennis players. During his athletic career he designed a tennis shirt, characterized by that charming crocodile emblem that appears on the left breast of Lacoste polos, which took the world by storm. In fact, this crocodile is commonly believed to be the first presence of a designer emblem to appear on an article of clothing.

According to Jean Lacoste, the crocodile emblem came to be after a bet that was made between Lacoste and the captain of the French David Cup team, a bet stating that if Lacoste won an important match, the captain would grant him a crocodile-skin suitcase. After winning the match, Lacoste was granted the nickname "le Crocodile" by the American public. Soon afterward, a friend of Lacoste, Robert George, drew him a crocodile that was later embroidered on a blazer which Lacoste wore when he played tennis.

In 1933, Lacoste began La Societe Chemise Lacoste, a company dedicated to high quality athletic wear. The foundation piece, of course, was the Lacoste tennis shirt. By 1951, Jean Lacoste's son, Bernard Lacoste, took the shirt from "tennis white" and expanded the shirt line to include a variety of colors. Soon this crocodile shirt became a symbol for the upscale prepster.

In 2000, the Lacoste company reached a level of haute couture. Its merchandise now includes everything from lingerie to accessories.

Who Sports Lacoste Bags

Currently, Lacoste products are worn by everyone, the posh and the impoverished. Lacoste shirts are as common at Neiman Marcus as they are on the racks of vintage and thrift stores.

However, the current Lacoste collections still carry an air of social transcendence. They hold an image of girls at the country club, pearls around their necks and pastel cardigans tied loosely around their shoulders. Lacoste bags pair perfectly with sweater vests, pleated skirts and enormous trust funds. They are debonair, refined, and they still feature that enchanting little crocodile that is often mistaken for an alligator.

Lacoste Styles

For the most part, Lacoste styles remain true to their athletic inspired roots. While characterized by reasonable prices (low hundreds), the majority of Lacoste bags are intended for people on the go, for casual and sporting events. These styles include, but are not limited to:

• Messengers
• Shoppers
• Handbags
• Beach Bags
• Totes
• Shoulder Bags

The casual versatility of these bags is emphasized by materials such as polyester, nylon, and PVC. However, the true luxury of Lacoste bags can be found in the craftsmanship and superior brand name.

If you're taking a weekend trip, the Lacoste Classic IT Large Boston Tote will give you both the space and protection your precious items need. The style is simple, featuring a single interior pocket with a PVC lined exterior that can withstand the rain or even a soda spill.

If you have kids or an extreme penchant for the mall, the Lacoste Vertical Shopper is an extraordinarily useful bag featuring sturdy zippered closure and an adorable boxy shape. Of course, nothing says you're serious about shopping like the formidable feel of polyester.

But maybe you're a college student who is short both on cash and time. The ultra-affordable Summer Croc Messenger Bag has everything you require to carry the books you don't read as well as flaunt the image of being scholastic. It features that friendly crocodile in large scale print right on the front of this handy little cotton bag. And nothing seems more collegiate than cotton, unless you're going to Yale where leather briefcases are mandatory.

If you're girly and casual, you may enjoy the flirty sunflower color of the Lacoste Boston Pique Bag. This bag is fashioned from polyester, but with its eye-baffling yellow exterior it is sure to get you noticed.

Where to Buy

Lacoste goods can be found at many upscale department stores such as:

• Nordstrom
• Neiman Marcus
• Saks
• Barneys