Item of the Week: Penguin Polos

If you don’t know the story about how the sportswear brand Original Penguin started, it’s worth hearing. It was the idea of a salesman for the Minneapolis underwear company Munsingwear. Randomly happening into a taxidermist’s store during a sales trip to New York, he bought a stuffed penguin. When he accidentally beheaded it on the flight home, a helpful stewardess used the salesman’s own neck tie to secure the head back onto the penguin’s body—or so the story goes. The image of that accessorized penguin became the embroidered symbol on Munsingwear’s new line of golf shirts. That was 1955.

To celebrate Penguin’s 55th anniversary this year, the company is re-issuing its first shirt in a limited edition. Called the “55,” it’s a three-button polo shirt with a pocket and “action gussets” under the arms to allow an unrestricted golf swing.

The shirt, available in a variety of colors, is being carried for fall 2010 at the brand’s seven retail stores and at selected independent retailers like Fred Segal and Neiman Marcus. Retail is $79. originalpenguin.com.

Each week, MR’s editors will comment on a product we’ve seen in the market. It could be an emerging trend, a novel take on a classic or something that just caught our eyes.

Previous Items of the Week:

Isaia Sportcoats

Patent Leather Boots from Dr. Marten’s and Creative Recreation

Trafalgar Braces

Frye Shoes

Watches at MAGIC and Pool

Canvas Sneakers

Courvoisier Men’s Cologne

Ichiban Sweats

Dion Ties to Fight Prostate Cancer

Copper Bracelets

PF Flyers classic baseball shoes