Original Penguin the Brand

It may come as a surprise, but an Original Penguin started its life in the 1950s as a Minneapolis based underwear and military supply company, named Munsingwear. However, in 1955, Munsingwear launched their now iconic golf shirt, which was to take Middle America by storm. A salesman for the company happened upon a taxidermist whilst in New York and in a moment of revelry, purchased a stuffed penguin. Little did he know the stuffed penguin he jovially named ‘Pete’ would come to be such an iconic logo, recognised throughout the World.

Indeed, Pete the penguin soon became the company’s lucky mascot and logo of their increasingly popular golf shirts. Yet, the company not only gained popularity through their nifty branding strategies; their innovative designs meant Original Penguin was leading the way with the latest technologies in sportswear too. In fact, the golf shirt that founded the brand was the first golf shirt to feature an ‘action gusset’ under the arms of the shirt in order to avoid rips during even the most zealous golf swing. From this moment on, Original Penguin had made a name for itself as a leader in stylish and functional sportswear. The brand was loved by ‘toffish’ suburban Americans and celebrities alike, remaining a first choice for many golfers well into the 1980s.

In 2003, the brand was re-launched to the delight of fashionistas worldwide. Spurred on by the vogue for all things retro, trendsetters began scouring vintage outlets for old Original Penguin golf shirts. Former merchandising manager for Urban Outfitters, Chris Klobe, spotted this growing underground trend and approached Perry Ellis to rebrand Original Penguin as a 21st century label.

Now a prospering street-wear label with its tongue firmly stuck in its cheek, Original Penguin is loved by fashionistas who thrive on the irony of its styles.

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Classic Original Penguin Styles

Never straying far from its 1950s preppy heritage, Original Penguin creates retro styled clothing with a good dash of ironic humour. Sweaters are cut slim, whilst the polo shirts still bear the original piping trim and large pointed colours. However, the brand has come a long way from simply designing golf shirts. Today Original Penguin covers menswear, womenswear, childrenswear, shoes and accessories.

Still best known for their iconic polo style shirts, classic styles include: The Earl Pique Polo Shirt, Black Label Pete Polo Shirt, Earl Piped Polo, The Pete Polo, Ride the Dream, Board Meeting, Stone Henged, Climate Control, Beach Mussel, Read the Map, Boogie Oogie, Wave Crest, Terra Firma, Ship Shape, Tidal Wave, Site Survey, The Decider, PHD, Arty Fact, Baby Bias, Wip Tip, Excavare Expent, Douse the Wave, Picawave, Off and On Campus, Over Under Grad, Daddy-O, Flat Line, Side Cast, The Questor, Missing Bodies, The Jack, Graphic Polo, The Bucky, Never Ware, The Earl and The 55.

Great styles for guys who love the retro look include these vintage styled jackets:  After Analogy, The Prof, Rolling Curve, Forward Bend, The Internal Eternal, All the Rounder Bounder, Trojan, Kill a Watt, Mark Marker, Bounced Cheque, Breaky Board, One for the Books, Slide Away, The Cremmer, Open Ticket and The Ratner.
Not everything from Original Penguin is based on sportswear, as these glamorous skirts and dresses prove: Twin Peaks, Florette, 4 for 4, Stripe It, 4 Way, Pick a Stitch, Ring Binder, The Diag No Stick, She Sells Seashells, The Call Back, Always the Princess.

Indeed, flirty and feminine tops by Original Penguin include:  Circle Within Circles, Ruffle Up, Up Front and Never A Bride.

Shoes for guys follow a strong retro theme with popular styles including the 50s style boat shoe- Ernie Ocean Canvas, the vintage style tennis shoe- Ernie Lace and the vintage style bowling shoe- Harvey.