Lacoste outlet

Yes, Lounge by Zalando is a free, members-only online outlet. We operate differently from a traditional online shop. Our unique flash sale model means we offer exclusive, limited-time promotions on brands such as Lacoste, with discounts of up to 75% off the recommended retail price. Membership is completely free and without obligation, so you can register today and gain instant access to our daily sales events.

We understand your concern, as the prices may appear too good to be true. At Lounge by Zalando, every Lacoste item is 100% authentic and sourced directly from the brand or its certified partners. Our ability to provide such significant discounts is due to our clever business model. We only hold short-term, members-only sales and do not carry large amounts of stock, which greatly reduces our logistics and storage costs. We pass these savings directly on to you, our members.

The L.12.12 polo is a true classic, and yes, it may feature in our promotions. As you know, the crocodile polo is a highly sought-after item, so its availability in our sales is limited and stock often sells out quickly. The best way to stay ahead and ensure you do not miss out on a Lacoste sale is to sign up for our free newsletter. That way, you will be notified as soon as a new promotion is about to begin. It is the best way to secure that perfect piece and other favourites from Lacoste and over 2,500 other brands.

The brand’s iconic logo has its origins in its founder, French tennis star René Lacoste. Nicknamed “The Crocodile” by the American press in 1923, the name arose from a wager he made with his Davis Cup team captain. The reward for a victory was a crocodile-skin suitcase. Although Lacoste lost the match, the nickname endured because of his determination and aggressive playing style on the court. A friend of his, an illustrator named Robert George, drew the crocodile, which Lacoste then had embroidered on the blazers he wore to matches. This made Lacoste the first brand to feature a visible logo on the exterior of its clothing.

During the 1920s, tennis attire was far from comfortable, consisting of stiff, long-sleeved shirts, ties, and trousers. Frustrated by the lack of freedom of movement, René Lacoste designed his own tennis shirt. He cut the sleeves off and created a loose-knit, short-sleeved shirt made from a new type of cotton fabric called "petit piqué." This revolutionary design was breathable, lightweight, and absorbed perspiration, providing a significant performance advantage. In 1933, he partnered with André Gillier, a major French knitwear manufacturer, to produce and sell the shirt, giving rise to the brand and the modern polo shirt as we know it today.

While deeply rooted in tennis and golf, Lacoste's style—often referred to as "sporting elegance"—transcended its athletic origins. Its clean lines and classic designs, particularly the polo shirt, were adopted by the "preppy" fashion movement in the United States during the late 1970s and 1980s. The brand’s expansion into footwear, perfumes, and other accessories cemented its place as a lifestyle brand. More recently, the brand has experienced a cultural resurgence, particularly within diverse subcultures such as hip-hop in Brazil, where the crocodile emblem has become an aspirational status symbol.

The name of Lacoste’s flagship product, the L.12.12 polo shirt, is a code that outlines its design history. The "L" represents Lacoste. The "1" denotes the exclusive "petit piqué" cotton fabric. The "2" refers to the short sleeves. Finally, the "12" indicates the number of the final prototype chosen by René Lacoste for the design.

Lacoste’s entry into footwear began in 1958 with a shoe named “The René,” which was the first tennis-specific shoe designed by René Lacoste himself. This original design featured a lightweight canvas upper and a slim, vulcanised rubber sole. It set the standard for the brand’s trainers by combining elegant, clean lines with athletic practicality. Building on this foundation, Lacoste created a legacy of court-inspired footwear that moved effortlessly from the tennis court to everyday wear, perfectly capturing the brand’s hallmark of “sporting elegance.” This heritage remains a key influence in today’s modern and popular styles, such as the L003 Neo and L003 2K24, which fuse classic design elements with contemporary street style trends.