Original Penguin

Founded 1955 · New York, New York, USA

Apparel & Footwear

#178

Global Rank

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Original Penguin, founded in 1955 and now owned by Perry Ellis International, is a heritage American sportswear brand that blends classic Ivy League style with modern golf apparel. The brand's iconic penguin logo, originally chosen to symbolize an enduring, resilient character, has become synonymous with preppy, retro-inspired golf fashion that balances tradition with contemporary fits and fabrics. Original Penguin's golf line emphasizes performance polos, tailored shorts, and layering pieces that appeal to golfers who appreciate vintage aesthetics updated with technical materials. The brand's roots trace back to Minnesota knitwear manufacturer Munsingwear, which introduced the penguin logo in the 1950s alongside the rise of leisure sportswear. Over decades, Original Penguin became associated with mid-century golf style, worn by players who favored clean, understated designs over loud patterns or overt branding. After years of brand evolution and ownership changes, Perry Ellis International relaunched Original Penguin in the 2000s with a focus on heritage-meets-modernity, reintroducing the penguin as a symbol of timeless American sportswear with a fresh, youthful edge. Original Penguin's golf apparel features classic silhouettes, think fitted polos with tipping details, flat-front shorts, and quarter-zips, rendered in performance fabrics with moisture-wicking, stretch, and UV protection. The brand appeals to golfers who gravitate toward preppy, retro-inspired style but want modern fit and function. It occupies a middle ground between legacy brands like Polo Ralph Lauren and newer performance labels like Travis Mathew, targeting players who appreciate golf's sartorial history but aren't bound by traditional country club conservatism. Original Penguin is distributed through golf specialty retailers, department stores, and its own retail channels, maintaining relevance by honoring its heritage while adapting to evolving tastes in golf fashion.