Sporting Elegance Since 1933
About Lacoste
- Lacoste Review
- History of Lacoste
- How Lacoste Products Are Made
- Product Categories
- Product Quality
- Lacoste Pricing in Brazil
- Shipping & Delivery in Brazil
- Return & Exchange Policy
- Lacoste Reviews: What Do Customers Think?
- Is Lacoste Legit?
- Is Lacoste Worth It?
- Pros and Cons
- Best Alternatives to Lacoste
- FAQs About Lacoste
- Final Thoughts
Lacoste Review
Lacoste is a French fashion house founded in 1933, globally recognized for its iconic crocodile logo and its blend of sporting heritage and casual sophistication. This review covers the brand’s history, how its garments are made, product categories, pricing and availability in Brazil, the return and exchange policy, and what customers actually say about the buying experience.
History of Lacoste
Lacoste was founded in 1933 by French tennis player René Lacoste, alongside textile industrialist André Gillier, owner of one of France’s largest knitwear factories. Born in 1904, René was one of the most respected tennis players of his era, with major titles including Roland Garros and Wimbledon to his name. On the court, he earned the nickname “Le Crocodile” for his tenacity and determination — a reference that would later become the brand’s most recognizable symbol.
Frustrated with the formal, uncomfortable tennis attire of the 1920s — long-sleeved shirts and trousers — René developed the polo shirt, a lighter, more functional piece for athletes. The crocodile logo, designed by artist Robert George in 1927, was embroidered onto the shirt as a nod to René’s nickname, making Lacoste the first fashion brand to feature a visible logo on a garment. Over the following decades, the brand expanded into womenswear, fragrances, footwear, eyewear, and accessories, becoming a global phenomenon by the 1980s, including a strong foothold across Latin America. Today, Lacoste is owned by the Swiss group Maus Frères, with revenue of roughly €2.9 billion in 2024 and more than 1,100 stores worldwide.
How Lacoste Products Are Made
The original Lacoste polo is made from Petit Piqué, a breathable, knitted cotton fabric originally developed for tennis performance, prized for its durability. The brand maintains rigorous quality control, testing and evaluating every product before it reaches the market, and even offers a dedicated support channel for reporting manufacturing defects, requiring photos and proof of purchase for review. The crocodile logo itself has been refined visually over the decades, including a 2002 update that softened and elongated the silhouette from its original 1927 design.
Product Categories
Lacoste’s catalog extends well beyond the original polo:
- Polo shirts: The brand’s most iconic piece, built on the classic Petit Piqué fabric
- Footwear & sneakers: One of the most sought-after categories among Brazilian shoppers, spanning casual and sport styles
- Men’s & women’s clothing: T-shirts, dresses, trousers, and jackets
- Fragrances: A well-established perfume line
- Accessories: Caps, bags, belts, and sunglasses
- Kids’ line: Clothing and footwear for children
Product Quality
Lacoste holds a solid reputation for quality, especially in its Petit Piqué polo shirts, frequently described by customers as durable and able to hold their shape even after repeated washing — a real advantage over fast-fashion competitors. Sneakers and footwear also generally receive positive feedback, though as with any brand sold through multiple channels (official stores, outlets, and authorized resellers), the quality experience can vary slightly depending on where you buy. Purchasing directly from the official site or physical Lacoste stores remains the safest way to guarantee authenticity and the brand’s expected quality standard.
Lacoste Pricing in Brazil
Polo Shirts
Sneakers & Footwear
Fragrances & Accessories
Lacoste sits in the premium/accessible-luxury fashion tier — pricier than fast fashion but more attainable than pure luxury houses. In Brazil specifically, prices tend to run higher than in the US or Europe due to import taxes and the local distribution chain, so it’s worth comparing the official site, authorized outlets, and promotional dates like Black Friday. Interest-free installment payments are commonly offered across most Brazilian sales channels.
Shipping & Delivery in Brazil
Orders placed through Lacoste’s Brazilian online store (lacoste.com/br) are delivered exclusively within Brazil. Shipping may be free depending on the order value and delivery region, and delivery timing varies by destination. A “click and collect” option is also available, letting customers pick up their order at a physical Lacoste store instead of receiving it at home. P.O. box deliveries aren’t permitted, and orders can be tracked directly through the official site after logging into your account.
Return & Exchange Policy
Once an order is confirmed, there’s a 30-minute window (excluding personalized products) during which you can change color, size, or cancel the order entirely. Returned products that don’t meet the return policy conditions (worn, washed, tags removed) won’t be refunded.
If your order used a promotional code, its value is split proportionally across the items in the purchase — so returning an item bought with a coupon means your refund reflects the amount paid minus the proportional share of the promotion applied. Underwear and personalized products aren’t eligible for exchange, return, or refund, except in cases of a proven manufacturing defect.
Lacoste Reviews: What Do Customers Think?
Overall sentiment toward Lacoste in Brazil is quite positive when it comes to the product itself — customers highlight the durability of the polo shirts, the brand’s prestige, and how versatile the pieces are for everyday wear. The most common criticism centers on the post-purchase process: the inability to exchange directly through the official e-commerce site (requiring a return plus a new purchase) is a frequently cited pain point, as are delivery times that can vary considerably by region. Buyers who shop through alternative channels, like authorized outlets, often report free first-exchange policies, which can be a practical advantage over the official site’s policy.
Is Lacoste Legit?
Yes — Lacoste is a genuine French fashion house with more than 90 years of history, billions in annual revenue, and a well-established global presence, including an official store and authorized resellers in Brazil. It is not a questionable brand or a source of counterfeit goods when purchased through official channels. The real thing to watch for isn’t the brand’s legitimacy, but making sure you buy through the official site, physical Lacoste stores, or authorized resellers, to avoid counterfeit products sold by unauthorized third parties on marketplaces.
Is Lacoste Worth It?
If you’re after durable, elegant pieces with strong brand recognition — especially the classic Petit Piqué polos and sneakers — Lacoste is a solid pick within the premium fashion tier. In Brazil specifically, it’s worth checking the size guide carefully before finalizing a purchase, since direct exchanges through the official site aren’t currently available — plan for a possible return-and-repurchase if the size doesn’t work out.
Lacoste Pros and Cons
Pros
- ✓ A storied brand with 90+ years of history and prestige
- ✓ Durable Petit Piqué fabric that holds up well over repeated washing
- ✓ Wide product range: clothing, footwear, fragrances, and accessories
- ✓ Free shipping available depending on region and order value
- ✓ Well-established presence in Brazil, with an official store and physical locations
Cons
- ✗ No direct exchanges via the official e-commerce site — must return and repurchase
- ✗ Higher prices in Brazil due to import taxes
- ✗ Underwear and personalized products aren’t eligible for return
- ✗ Delivery times can vary significantly by region
- ✗ Risk of counterfeit products on unauthorized marketplaces
Best Alternatives to Lacoste
| Brand | Positioning | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Lacoste | Storied French sporting elegance | Classic, durable pieces and brand prestige |
| Ralph Lauren | Premium American preppy style | A more classic-American aesthetic |
| Tommy Hilfiger | Premium casualwear at a comparable price | A similarly priced alternative |
| Aramis / Ellus (Brazilian brands) | Domestic premium brands | Shoppers who prefer local brands without import tax |
FAQs About Lacoste
Final Thoughts
With more than 90 years of history, Lacoste remains one of the most recognized fashion houses in the world, and its reputation for quality and durability — especially in its iconic Petit Piqué polos — holds up consistently in the Brazilian market. The main thing for Brazilian shoppers to keep in mind is the exchange policy: since the official site doesn’t offer direct exchanges, it’s worth checking the size guide carefully before buying, and considering alternative channels with free first-exchange policies if sizing uncertainty is a concern.
Tradition and Quality — Just Watch the Sizing
Lacoste delivers durable pieces and genuine brand prestige — check the size guide carefully before ordering, since direct exchanges through the official site aren’t currently available.
