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Ralph Lauren Polo Tech Shirt

Premium Brand Makes Wearable Technology First

US retailer Ralph Lauren claims to have beaten other luxury brands to the post by being the first to include wearable technology in its clothing. The lifestyle label has unveiled its Polo Tech Shirt, which uses biosensing silver fibres to log data such as energy level, heart rate, breathing depth, activity intensity and calories burned. Like other smart technology pitched at the fitness market, it syncs with a dedicated app via Bluetooth to provide real-time individual feedback and improve performance during workouts. The black colour way, seen as part of a preview at the US Open Tennis Championships, carries the signature Ralph Lauren Polo Pony in yellow. In addition to the technical specs, designers behind the piece said the use of second-skin-style moisture-wicking compression fabric increases blood flow circulation and muscle recovery. A separate statement from the brand said the Polo Tech Shirt “merges fashion, technology and the future of living well”. The Polo Tech Shirt won’t be available to buy until 2015, a price point is yet to be announced but is expected to top standard polo shirt prices from the brand which come in at £70.

Ralph Lauren Polo Tech Shirt Video

Ralph Lauren Polo Tech Shirt

Luke Todd

As FashionBeans deputy editor, Luke Todd is tasked with filtering through the latest from the worlds of fashion, grooming, fitness, technology and lifestyle to deliver an indispensable edit of the most stylish stuff. Along with working on the site since 2009, he has written for leading titles such as ShortList, Drapers and GQ Style Germany and has consulted for brands including Bulldog Skincare and James Harknett.