When my 20 year old niece walked into the room with the collar of her polo shirt turned up, I wondered if she was going to some kind of 80s theme party. I don't have many fond memories of 80s styles of clothing, but long sleeve polo shirts were the exception. They are actually one of my favorite thing about the 80s.

There are a lot of great things about long sleeved polo shirts. They're made for both men and women. They look great worn as a uniform or just out shopping. They're popular for corporate gifts. They're made to have a logo (think Ralph Lauren). They're great in both summer and winter. And, best of all, they're back in style. As in fashionable, not just wearable, which is what they have been for the last 20 years or so.

Because it's back in style, the long sleeve polo shirt is being sold in greater styles and cheaper prices all over the net and at your local department stores. There are literally hundreds of different styles and shops to wear throughout the year.

If you've ever seen the little alligator logo on the corner of a shirt, you've seen the original logo for the polo shirt. In the 1920s, a famous champion tennis player named Rene Lacoste (yes like the brand name) was annoyed at the uncomfortable tennis outfits that were being worn. His annoyance led to the creation of the popular Lacoste polo shirts.

Lacoste polos were made from a very loose cotton knit with the color that we recognize today on the polo. The back was a little longer than the front, and is commonly called “tennis tail”. Thus was born the polo shirt.

His logo was a small alligator, made specifically because he was being branded as such in the newspapers.

Tennis clothing in his day was restrictive and stiff. Pants were flannel (imagine how hot they were) and they were even required to wear ties. In one swoop of his creative genius, Lacoste solved the problems of tennis gear of the time period. His cotton weave was breathable, the back stayed tucked in (because it was so long, the turned up collar was actually to prevent the sun from burning the wearer (a common fad for today and the 80s) and the cuffed sleeves made sure the sleeves didn't roll down constantly. Imagine how relieved tennis players must have been when this gear was deemed acceptable.

Eventually, a polo player adapted the style of shirt and soon put a little polo player on the corner, instead of the alligator. He too had an uncomfortable clothing set for his sport. His shirt became buttoned down and was referred to as a polo shirt. From then on that term would be used to describe the once well know tennis shirt. Furthermore, Ralph Lauren made the “polo shirt” one of the most popular styles of the 70s and 80s. While Lacoste brands were very popular, the term polo shirt stuck and thus is used to this day.

Today the polo shirt has evolved into many different weaves of fabric. It comes in long and short sleeves and is made by hundreds of different designers. It's also very popular with corporations for gifting to their employees or for using as uniforms. Best Buy is an example of a company that uses the long sleeve polo shirt and short sleeve polo shirt as a uniform.

The polo shirt is still used in many sports, including tennis (whose players, by the way, still call it a polo shirt – go figure). It's also extremely popular in golf. In fact, I've yet to see a single golf player wear a plain dress shirt or t-shirt, despite being a very informal sport. Of course, I don't watch much golf, so maybe that's it?

Other than sports, long sleeve polo shirts are also very fashionable to wear as everyday clothing. The fabric is perfect for the summer and the long sleeves help keep one warm in the winter. Because of a widely used style, the long sleeve t-shirt under the short sleeve polo, the long sleeved polo shirt has become very popular. There are even fakes made to resemble a t-shirt under the polo, with the long sleeves and peek-a-boo open neck being only pieces sewn to look like the style. This makes wearing the style in summer possible with the bulk of the layers.

There are close to a hundred different ways to wear long sleeve polo shirts. I won't go into all of them, but there are some popular ways to list.

1. The collar up was popular in the 80s and it's, once again, a popular style today. Flip your collar up for a little attitude and to block the sun, just Monsieur Lacoste designed it to be.

2. Layers are a great way to add some rugged looks to the polo shirt. Even long sleeve styles will look great with a different colored t-shirt underneath. Wear two long sleeve polo shirts and you can roll the sleeves up to bunch the colors together, making them coordinate on your arms.

3. Women look great in polo shirts. Pair them with a denim pencil skirt or a pair of cotton short shorts for a super sexy look. Add a cute pair of wedge sneakers and you'll look pretty, preppy and positively posh.

4. Jeans of any kind are a great way to wear a long sleeve polo shirt. Flare jeans can look exceptionally awesome paired with them. With a little embroidery to match the color of the polo, you'll offset the preppy look with a little funk.

5. In the fall we can wear both long sleeves and shorts. It's great to be comfortable with a pair of Bermuda shorts and a polo shirt with long sleeves. Since most colors of polos are bright, they'll fit right in with anything from Hawaiian prints to subdued black jean shorts.

6. Wear it like its meant to be worn, on the tennis court. The long sleeve polo is great for tennis in the fall. A pair of cotton sweatpants, or jogging pants, work just as well as jeans or Dockers.

7. Speaking of Dockers, both ladies and gentlemen can wear them and they look really fantastic with polo shirts.

8. If you're out on the golf course, you'll fit right in with your buddies in your own polo shirt. If you want to stand out a little, try one with stripes or a cool color like red. Remember that pink still looks hot on darker colored skin! And women golfers look sexy as heck in short golfer skirts and a polo.

9. In the 80s there began a style of short polo shirts over long polo shirts. The really cool part about this look was the layered collars that added two colors to the frame of the face. It's a really cool, fun and fresh look.

10. The corporate logo never looked as good and comfortable as when wearing a long sleeve polo. Have your logo and company named printed on long sleeved polo shirts and wear them outside the office. You'll not only look great, you'll spread the word on your company.

Shopping for the long sleeve polo is a lot easier than it used to be, since it's come back into style. Now its a staple in most clothing company websites. You'll find an extensive variety at the following places:

1. Ebay.com has the cheapest and most various merchants and style choices around. You may have to wait around to bid on your polo, but the price will be well worth it. You can find really cheap polo shirts there with brand name labels.

2. Amazon.com is another great shop with various merchants. The difference between Ebay is that Amazon has actual large merchants as well. Target and Macy's both have shop on Amazon's pages. Check out their variety and compare the prices to Ebay.

3. The Gap is famous for its preppy styles. The polo can be found in many styles and colors on their website. While not the lowest prices, they quality is great and the prices aren't outrageous.

4. The Gap's sister store: Old Navy, is a great place to find cheap long sleeve polo shirts. You'll find a wide array of colors and styles to match your needs. What's more, you probably have one right near your house. You can find them online as well.

Remember that the long sleeve polo shirt can be sexy, rugged, preppy, pretty and so many other things. It's extremely versatile. I bet if you have it in your closet, you'll end up picking it out first to wear with just about all your casual or sporting occasions.