Brand · American sportswear since 1937

Izod

The polo shirt that defined 1980s preppy — born from a London tailor's name, carried into department stores ever since.

Izod
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Izod is the American dressy-casual house whose name came from Arthur James "Jack" Izod, a London tailor who made bespoke shirts and the Windsor knot for King George V — the rights bought by businessman Vincent dePaul Draddy, who introduced A.J. Izod of London to the United States in 1937.

Its fame was sewn to a crocodile. From 1952 to 1993 Izod licensed the Lacoste shirt, and "Izod Lacoste" became the signature 1980s preppy wardrobe item, named in The Official Preppy Handbook. The partnership ended in 1993; Izod was sold to PVH in 1995 and repositioned for department stores with its own crest.

In 2021 the brand passed to Authentic Brands Group alongside Van Heusen, Arrow and Geoffrey Beene, with Centric Brands licensed to make and market its sportswear. Izod once held title sponsorship of the IndyCar Series, a deal it ran from 2010 to 2014.

American · est. 1937 Named for tailor Jack Izod 1980s preppy staple Owned by Authentic Brands Group

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Izod shopping FAQ

Is Izod a good brand, and how is the quality of its polos?+

Izod is a solid mid-range American label rather than a luxury one, and the polos are its calling card. The modern Advantage line leans on stretch and moisture-wicking fabric for everyday comfort, while the brand still produces its traditional piqué knit polos. For dressy-casual wear at an accessible price, it's a dependable choice.

What's the story behind Izod and Lacoste — and the crocodile logo?+

From 1952 to 1993 Izod licensed the Lacoste shirt in the US, and the two were so intertwined that they became known as Izod Lacoste. That's the root of a lasting mix-up: the famous crocodile is actually Lacoste's trademark, not Izod's. When the partnership ended in 1993, Lacoste went upmarket and Izod kept going as moderately priced apparel under its own crest logo.

Why is the Lacoste crocodile so often confused with Izod?+

Because for decades the shirts were equally Izod and Lacoste but got abbreviated in everyday speech to simply Izod shirts. That popular shorthand stuck, leaving many shoppers assuming the crocodile was the Izod mark. In reality Izod uses a crest; the crocodile belongs to Lacoste.

Where does the Izod name actually come from?+

It traces to Arthur James "Jack" Izod, a well-respected London tailor who made bespoke shirts and created the Windsor tie-knot for King George V. Businessman Vincent dePaul Draddy wanted a strong name for his menswear, bought the rights from the retiring Izod, and introduced A.J. Izod of London to the United States in 1937.

Who owns Izod now?+

Izod is a division of Authentic Brands Group, which acquired it (alongside Van Heusen, Arrow and Geoffrey Beene) in a sale completed on 2 August 2021. Most products are marketed and manufactured by Centric Brands under a long-term licensing agreement.

Where can I buy Izod clothing?+

The main retailers are department-store chains Kohl's, J.C. Penney and Belk, plus Amazon, with Bealls and Boscov's as secondary stops. The official Izod website also reopened to online orders in June 2024 after a three-year hiatus during the handover from PVH to Authentic Brands Group and Centric Brands.

How is Izod different from Lacoste today?+

They split in 1993 and went opposite directions: Lacoste repositioned as a luxury lifestyle brand, while Izod was reintroduced as moderately priced apparel in department stores. So today Izod competes in the dressy-casual, mid-range space — its closest competitor is now Ralph Lauren's Chaps — rather than the premium tier Lacoste occupies.

What are Izod's signature products beyond the polo?+

Izod is best known for its cotton piqué knit polo, but its classics also include the Harrington jacket G-9 model and V-neck and cardigan sweaters. The current range spans tailored clothing, shoes, fragrances, leather goods, neckwear, eyewear and watches, so it covers a full dressy-casual wardrobe.

What does the Izod Advantage line offer?+

Introduced in spring 2016, Izod Advantage is the brand's performance line — a fresh take on the traditional piqué polo using a cotton/polyester blend with natural stretch, moisture-wicking fabric and UPF-15 sun protection. It later expanded to other pieces like fleece sweatshirts and button-down shirts, and is a good pick if you want comfort and a bit of stretch in everyday wear.

Was Izod really a major sports sponsor?+

Yes. Izod became the official apparel provider of the IndyCar Series in 2009, then the title sponsor of the Izod IndyCar Series in 2010 in a deal worth $10 million a year, before ending the sponsorship in 2014. A New Jersey arena was also renamed the Izod Center in 2007 — a reminder of how visible the brand was at its peak.