Izod vs. Lacoste Alligator: What's the difference?

Izod is an accessible American lifestyle brand known for its affordable, preppy, and casual clothing, particularly its colorful polo shirts. Lacoste is a premium French fashion brand famous for its iconic crocodile logo, offering sophisticated, high-quality sportswear with a luxury price point. The primary difference lies in price, material quality, and brand positioning, with Izod focusing on value and everyday style, while Lacoste emphasizes heritage and sporty elegance.

Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right brand for your wardrobe and budget.

Izod: The Classic American Casualwear Brand

Izod offers a timeless, preppy style rooted in comfort and classic design. The brand appeals to a wide audience looking for affordable, stylish casualwear that projects a traditional, sporty vibe. Its signature product is the polo shirt, known for vibrant colors, bold stripes, and an easy-to-wear aesthetic perfect for daily activities.

• Product mix: Izod’s collection centers around its signature polo shirts but also includes sweaters, t-shirts, activewear, and pants. The overall look is consistently sporty and preppy.
• Price point: The brand is firmly in the mid-range category. Polo shirts typically cost between $30 and $60, delivering strong value for the price.
• Quality: Construction uses quality materials like cotton pique and polyester blends that are designed for durability and easy care, making them suitable for frequent wear.
• Style & Aesthetic: Izod’s style is clean, approachable, and classic. The brand often uses bright, confident colors and simple patterns like stripes to create a look that is both casual and put-together.
• Fit & Sizing: Izod clothing generally features a relaxed, comfortable cut. The fit is true-to-size for American standards, providing a bit more room than more tailored brands.
• Availability: The brand is widely accessible through department stores like Kohl’s, outlet malls, and major online retailers like Amazon.

Izod is the ideal choice for shoppers seeking well-made, classic casualwear at an affordable price, without a focus on high-fashion prestige.

Shop Izod: izod.com

Lacoste: The Icon of Sporty Elegance

Founded by tennis legend René Lacoste in 1933, Lacoste is a premium French brand that has become a global symbol of casual luxury and sophisticated sportiness. Its iconic crocodile logo represents quality, heritage, and a refined aesthetic. The brand's signature "L.12.12" polo shirt blends athletic comfort with high-end fashion, making it a wardrobe icon.

• Product mix: While famous for its polos, Lacoste offers a full range of apparel including dresses, sweaters, footwear, leather goods, and fragrances, all sharing the brand's sporty and elegant DNA.
• Price point: Lacoste is a premium-priced brand. Its classic polo shirts typically range from $90 to $150, reflecting superior materials and brand positioning.
• Quality: The brand is known for its high-quality pique cotton, meticulous stitching, and durable construction. Lacoste polos are renowned for maintaining their shape, color, and refined feel after many washes.
• Style & Aesthetic: Lacoste’s look is sleek, polished, and timeless. The designs feature clean lines, classic colors, and subtle branding, exuding an air of understated luxury that is versatile for both casual and smarter occasions.
• Fit & Sizing: The fit is generally tailored and slim. Lacoste offers "Classic," "Slim," and "Regular" fits, but most cuts are more contoured than American-fit brands. It's often wise to check a size chart or size up if you prefer a looser fit.
• Shopping Experience: Lacoste is sold through its own boutiques, high-end department stores, and its official online store, providing a premium shopping experience.

Lacoste is for consumers who value sophisticated design, superior materials, and the brand legacy that signifies sporty elegance.

Shop Lacoste: lacoste.com

Izod vs. Lacoste Comparison

Price Comparison

The most significant difference between the two brands is price. Izod polo shirts are generally priced between $30 and $60, making the brand highly accessible for everyday shoppers. This positioning allows customers to build a versatile wardrobe without a major financial commitment.

In contrast, Lacoste operates in the premium segment, with its iconic polos costing anywhere from $90 to $150. This higher price reflects the brand's luxury positioning, higher-grade materials, detailed craftsmanship, and the value of its brand heritage. For shoppers on a budget, Izod is the clear winner, while Lacoste is positioned as a long-term wardrobe investment.

Quality & Materials

Izod polos offer reliable quality for their price point, typically made from durable cotton pique and cotton-poly blends. They are machine-washable and hold up well to regular wear, making them a practical choice for a low-maintenance, active lifestyle.

Lacoste sets a higher standard, primarily using premium petit piqué cotton known for its softness, breathability, and durability. The brand places a strong emphasis on finishing details, such as genuine mother-of-pearl buttons and precise stitching on the crocodile logo. This superior construction means a Lacoste polo generally feels more substantial and retains its tailored shape longer over time.

Style & Aesthetic

Izod’s aesthetic embodies quintessential American prep. Its designs are often more colorful and playful, featuring bold stripes, vibrant solids, and a generally sportier, more relaxed feel. The style is approachable and unpretentious, perfect for weekends, casual Fridays, or a round of golf.

Lacoste channels a French-inspired, sporty elegance. Its design language is more understated and sophisticated. You'll find a wider range of classic, muted tones alongside seasonal colors, with a consistent focus on clean lines and a refined silhouette. A Lacoste polo can easily be dressed up with chinos or a blazer, offering more versatility for smart-casual settings.

Fit & Sizing

As a classic American brand, Izod offers a more generous, relaxed fit. The sizing is predictable and runs true to standard measurements, prioritizing comfort and ease of movement. This roomier cut is often preferred by those who don't want a form-fitting shirt.

Lacoste offers a more European, tailored fit. Its polos are designed to sit closer to the body, creating a sharper, more defined silhouette. While the brand offers different fits (Classic, Slim), they are all generally more trim than Izod. Customers who are between sizes or prefer a less "hugged" feel often size up in Lacoste.

Sustainability & Ethics

Lacoste has made more public and significant strides in sustainability. The brand has committed to using organic cotton, reducing its environmental impact in manufacturing, and ensuring responsible sourcing practices within its supply chain. Its transparency and formal certifications give consumers confidence in its ethical commitments.

Izod, as a more mass-market-focused brand, has fewer visible sustainability initiatives. While the parent company, PVH Corp, has corporate responsibility goals, this focus is not as central to Izod's direct consumer branding as it is for Lacoste.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both brands offer excellent polo shirts, but they cater to very different priorities and budgets.

Choose Izod if:

• You are building a wardrobe on a budget and want great value.
• You prefer a relaxed, comfortable fit for everyday casual wear.
• You enjoy bright colors, bold stripes, and a classic preppy look.
• You need durable, easy-care shirts for casual outings, family events, or golf.

Choose Lacoste if:

• You consider your clothing a long-term investment and prioritize premium quality materials.
• You prefer a slimmer, more tailored fit for a sophisticated, modern look.
• Brand heritage and iconic status, like the crocodile logo, are important to you.
• You need a versatile polo that transitions from casual daytime to smart evening occasions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Izod or Lacoste cheaper?

Izod is significantly cheaper. An Izod polo typically costs between $30 and $60, whereas a genuine Lacoste polo starts at $90 and can go up to $150 or more.

What is the difference in quality between Izod and Lacoste?

Lacoste is known for higher quality, using premium petit piqué cotton, mother-of-pearl buttons, and more detailed construction that helps the shirt maintain its shape for years. Izod uses durable cotton and cotton-blend fabrics that offer good quality for its price but don't have the same luxurious feel or longevity as Lacoste.

Is Izod related to Lacoste anymore?

Izod and Lacoste had a licensing agreement from the 1950s to the 1990s where they were marketed together in the U.S. as "Izod Lacoste." This partnership ended in 1993, and they are now completely separate and competing brands with distinct identities.

Which brand has a better fit?

This depends on personal preference. Izod offers a traditional "American fit," which is more relaxed and roomy. Lacoste offers a more modern, tailored "European fit" that sits closer to the body for a sharper silhouette.

Is Lacoste worth the money?

For many consumers, yes. Lacoste's higher price point buys you superior materials, better durability, a more refined fit, and the prestige of a heritage luxury brand. If you prioritize long-lasting quality and timeless style, it is often considered a worthwhile investment.

Which is better for golf?

Both brands are popular choices for the golf course. Izod is a great, affordable option for casual golfers who want a comfortable, breathable shirt. Lacoste offers a more premium, country-club look and its performance polos feature technical fabrics designed for athletic activity.

How can you tell if a Lacoste polo is real?

Look for details. A real Lacoste crocodile logo is highly detailed and precisely stitched, never printed or glued. The buttons are typically mother-of-pearl and are not branded. The sizing is numerical (2, 3, 4) not alphabetical (S, M, L) in the classic polo line.