Original Penguin

Original Penguin is an iconic American clothing brand with a colourful heritage dating back to 1955, when Munsingwear salesman Abbot Pederson purchased a stuffed penguin named Pete during a layover in New York City. Legend has it that after the penguin's head accidentally fell off during the flight home, a stewardess wrapped a necktie around it and suggested it would 'look good on a shirt.' That spontaneous idea became one of fashion's most recognisable logos. The penguin adorned golf shirts that quickly became favourites of Hollywood legends including Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Bob Hope, and Bing Crosby, establishing the brand's association with style and sophistication. Now owned by Perry Ellis International since 1996, Original Penguin has evolved beyond its golf roots into a full lifestyle brand offering clothing, footwear, and accessories with a distinctive mid-century aesthetic. The playful Pete the Penguin logo continues to symbolise the brand's heritage of effortless cool.