We told you that Ralph Lauren was chosen to outfit the 1,500 or so athletes representing the United States at this year's Olympics in Beijing, but we didn't realize that the patriotic designer was making a lineup for Team USA zealots. Now, we can show our support for our nation's athletes by shelling out $125 to Ralph Lauren for an official US 2008 polo shirt. Go capitalism!

If you happen to be one of those people who likes to wear polos that are absolutely covered in official-looking badges and symbols -- you're in luck. The Olympic Games Collection is pretty much covered up in embroidered junk. Honestly, we're really not so fond of that type of thing. We're especially not fond of the giant Chinese characters on the front of this shirt that translate to "Beijing." Put the Chinese characters for "America kicks ass," and we'll wear that shirt with pride. We might even get the slogan tattooed -- on our teeth.

[via SeeJackShop]

Whit Honea is a slacker, a borderline degenerate, and a daydream believer. He's also our resident expert on casual chic. If it's comfortable, and not heinous, he's all over it. He's quite charming, really.

Attus Apparel, the guys that brought you these wonderful polos and current world record holder for the most popped collars worn at one time (23) have finally gone green. It was a long time coming.

The year's US Olympic team will be sporting preppy styles and miniature polo players. That's according to an announcement yesterday that none other than Ralph Lauren himself will be outfitting the Team USA during the opening ceremony. That is, if the torch makes it there in tact.

Ralph and Co. are taking over the project after the USOC ended its lovefest with Canadian fashion shop Roots Ltd. -- which has had the contract for the last 3 Olympics. Apparently, the committee was looking for something a little more formal for this year's Olympians. The head officer of the USOC told Lauren that his inspiration for this year is Chariots of Fire, so expect lots of V-neck sweaters and blue sport coats.

I've never been a fan of logos, designer labels, or any of that crap, unless it's something sarcastic like a middle finger -- and then it's only kinda cool. So it's no surprise that I can't stand this ridiculous new logo for Ralph Lauren's high end line, Purple Label. Look, I'm OK with the small and inconspicuous polo player -- because I've seen it all my life -- but this new one is just ugly and over the top.

A multi-color, oversized logo of a polo player riding a leaping horse? Really? I thought RL might have better taste than that, especially on a shirt that's over $200. I think that might be even worse than The Big Pony collection that features giant versions of the original logo. Maybe RL has been spending too much time thinking about that over-hyped American Living Collection.

Logos never make clothing look better and, more often than not, they just screw up whatever the design had going for it in the first place. The only place for a logo as far as I'm concerned is inside the collar. If I paid $245 for a polo shirt, the last thing I'd want to do is lease out part of my shirt for advertising space.

Buy for $245
[via ManoloMen]

Instant preppiness can be achieved by simply donning a polo shirt (or tennis shirt or golf shirt, whatever term tickles your fancy). My favorite way to wear a polo is with grungy jeans and messy accessories, because I guess I'm into that weird juxtaposed look.

Lacoste is probably the most popular brand for this shirt, and rightfully so. René Lacoste was a French tennis player, working when the sport's players still had to compete while wearing suits and ties. Looking for a creative alternative to their traditional stuffy attire, Lacoste created what we now know as the polo shirt -- he used it as a tennis shirt, obviously -- and started his own line of clothing: Gucci.

No, I'm just kidding, it was Lacoste. I was just testing you, see?

Other popular polo shirts come from Ralph Lauren's Polo line and just about any other place on the face of this earth that sells Western clothing. Seriously, polo shirts are everywhere. Also, it's tough to go wrong with a polo shirt, as long as it's not too baggy and fits close to the body. Honestly, it's just a glorified knit shirt, darlings.

Fun fact: Before annoying rich kids in high school made it look obnoxious, flipping the collar up on a polo shirt was not for fashion, but for function. Wearing the collar up would protect the wearer's neck from the sun during outdoor games.

First there was the classic Ralph Lauren Polo pony, then there was the pony on steroids, otherwise known as the Big Pony. Now the polo pony logo has gone through the cloning machine. The latest Ralph Lauren shirt is the Polo Match shirt which has three oversized polo players on the front. The shirt also has a number 3 patch on the right sleeve and a vented hem with grosgrain trim. The multi pony shirt sells for $98.

Yep, the sore throat is official, and though clearly I shouldn't dare go out in public with all my germs, if I had to (and techincally, I have to for the final day of LA's Fashion Week), I'd be sporting yet another turtleneck sweater dress. Not surprisingly, the temperature here in LA has gone up, hitting the 80s in some places, so this sleeveless "Adelina" sweater dress from Ralph Lauren is quite apropos. The dress is made from cashmere jersey, comes in a fawn heather color, and has a similar color "RLL" monogram. Since it does get slightly chilly at night, the Alberta shawl collar cardigan is a great finshing layer.

The dress is on sale for $154.99 from the Ralph Lauren website. The cardigan is also on sale, $199.99.

I think we're all aware that companies such as J. Crew, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, and Joseph A. Banks offer not only huge selections of men's ties, but very good looking ties, too. But a glance at the price tag the ties these companies offer can make your wallet cringe, with prices reaching over $100 in some cases.

Take this plain silver tie from J. Crew -- $50. Or this black and blue tie from Polo -- $100!

At one point in my life, I had the mindset never to skimp on any part of a suit, especially ties, thinking that the more expensive my get-up, the better I'd look. But I've since gotten over that, and discovered that like most aspects of apparel, it's not necessary to spend the big bucks on ties.

So, in order to save money on ties, don't go to the mall and shop at the big retailers. I recommend checking out T.J. Maxx -- there's a huge selection of ties at great prices. They've got the same brands as the big guys, but the prices rarely get over $15. If you don't have a T.J. Maxx, try Men's Wearhouse -- not the famous brands, but good looking ties at good prices.

Yesterday, I learned that those signs posted above intersections that exclaim "Photo-Enforced" aren't just a joke. And in honor of receiving this mailed-to-your-door citation, we're going to celebrate the color red (which means STOP!). Yes, red can be quite the "Hey, look at me!" color, but with proper taste, it can be worn (and accessorized) with success.

Here's a few ways to porte le rouge and look darn good. This cashmere crewneck sweater from Polo, which, I admit, is beyond the typical budget. But hey, it's slick. (And they say it's "saffron heather," not red. The color is very similar to that red light that I ran, however). And this old-school English tie from J. Crew sure is red, yet still classy.

And finally, this Ferrari-branded laptop computer. It's not completely red, but the mere mention of Ferrari screams red. (Somehow I don't think I've learned my lesson.)

So watch out for those intersection cameras. They even send you a picture of you driving through the intersection, so hopefully you'll now know to be wearing red.

I cannot reasonably condone the wearing of giant Ralph Lauren logos. I'm told I'm not alone on this point, so I'll just go ahead and say it: the big pony is lame! But we'll all hold our tongues for the month. October is, after all, Breast Cancer Awareness Month. So go ahead, buy yourself a Ralph Lauren's Pink Pony Slim-Fit Tee. You know you want a shirt that screams, "Hey, man, I'm wearing RALPH LAUREN and I CARE ABOUT OTHERS!" We won't complain. But if we do, just remind us that a portion of the money you spent on the shirt is going to support programs, which offer detection, treatment and rehab services for under-served communities. And that should shut us up, I promise.

Lacoste has been going through a big brand revitalization lately. The brand, which had been moldering since the preppy heyday of the 1980s is suddenly, surprisingly relevant once more. One of the ways they are breathing life into the old reptile is by creating innovative new partnerships. This fall they have a new Holiday Collector's Series and have worked with lighting and furniture designer Tom Dixon to create two unique polo shirts. The Techno Polo is woven with steel and lurex fibers to create more urban and edgy version of the classic crocodile shirt. His Eco polo uses natural indigo dyes and organic cotton. The sleek packaging was also designed by Dixon. The shirts are available in select Lacoste boutiques.

I first saw these shirts while watching the US Open in tennis awhile back, and was a little perturbed at first. By increasing the size of the logo on the shirt (called "The Big Pony" shirt), the classic Polo shirt had fallen victim to "bigger is better," which is almost never good in the world of style. But after a little thinking, I thought "Why not?" Hundreds of thousands of people were watching the tennis coverage, and therefore Polo wanted the viewers to see its logo, the pony. Normally it's quite small, so to increase visibility, just make it bigger!

This was all good and well for marketing purposes, but I've come to now despise these shirts. I see them on the streets everywhere, worn by men and women alike, and the "big pony" just irks me. I'll admit I have several classic Polo shirts, but I can't find any reason to up the ante with a 6-inch tall Polo logo on my chest.

Polo's just becoming more and more "frat-tastic" with this idea. Not only is the logo bigger, but the price of these shirts is more expensive than the standard "small pony": $125 for this rugby shirt, and $95 for this simpler version. Definite Stylefoul here.

Did you read my post the other day about the Ralph Lauren women's fashion show and think to yourself "that's great and all, but I don't wear women's clothes." Well, that's probably for the best, so here's the men's Purple Label selection for the Fall. Online is a video, the ability to shop by looks, and a preview of what is available as store exclusives. All looks are very sharp, but why must the Purple Label models all have that horrible fake greasy hair?

When I think of someone who "rocks", silver-haired Ralph Lauren is about the last person who comes to mind. But that hasn't discouraged his company from trying to create a hipper, younger, fresher image with Ralph Lauren's newest fragrance, dubbed "Ralph Rocks!" (I giggle every time I say it. I can't help it.)

According to executive Signe Gammeltoft, Ralph Rocks! is geared towards that edgy, rebellious teenage girl, who's a little too unconventional and free-spirited for any of the other three Ralph Lauren fragrances. A citrus floral creme scent, Ralph Rocks! has nodes of passion fruit, kiwi, freesia and amber that, all in all, sound pretty yummy. Packaged in a bright orange bottle, the new perfume du jour will be available in 2,700 department stores starting in February of 2007.