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Are you looking for a shirt different from T-shirts to sell in your e-commerce store? If so, polo shirts are one of the suitable options for you. It’s a versatile style worn for various activities and styles. So what is a polo shirt? What is the best type of polo shirt to sell? Keep scrolling and find the answers to all these above questions.
What is a Polo Shirt?
Polo shirt (collared T-shirt) is a shirt with a collar, and buttons above the neck quite similar to a shirt. It is made from elastic cotton fabric that can absorb moisture and sweat well, bringing comfort and ease to the wearer. In addition, the polo shirt design with collar also gives the wearer a luxurious, polite but equally dynamic and youthful appearance, suitable for all ages.
History of Polo Shirt
Origin of Polo Shirt
In the early 19th century, British troops in Manipur, India, brought a variation of the polo shirt to the UK, inspired by the dress of Indian nobility – striped, waist-length, round-neck shirts. In England, the shirt quickly became a symbol of royalty and the upper class, popular in polo with its long-sleeved cotton design.
However, the shirt collar often came undone when the players moved. When he arrived in England in the late 1800s, John E. Brooks of Brooks Brothers noticed that polo players used pins or buttons to secure collars. Inspired by this idea, he incorporated the button-down collar design into his products and introduced the first button-down polo shirt in 1896, ushering in a new fashion trend.
The Spread of Tennis in France
The modern piqué polo shirt is more influenced by tennis than polo. In 1929, tennis star René Lacoste designed a short-sleeved, turn-down collar, top-buttoned polo shirt, originally for himself. The white shirt was personally marked with an embroidered crocodile logo on the left chest, a symbol of his nickname.
By the 1930s, Lacoste’s unique design had caught on and quickly became a fashion favorite. In 1933, after retiring from playing, Lacoste partnered with André Gillier to produce and market his polo shirt across Europe and North America, making it a symbol of style and comfort.
In 1940, polo shirts appeared more and more around the world and became a favorite fashion trend that many people welcomed. Today, you can see polo shirts appearing anywhere.
Polo Shirt Features
Polo shirts often have the following outstanding features:
- Collar design: This is a typical T-shirt with a folded collar, often called a collar, creating an elegant and graceful look.
- Buttons: The collar usually comes with 2 to 3 buttons, but can be omitted depending on the specific design.
- Sleeves: The sleeves are often hemmed, creating an elegant look. The sleeves can be short or long, suitable for many styles and purposes.
- Color: The collar and sleeves can be the same color as the body of the shirt or mixed with outstanding colors to create highlights.
- Style: Men’s polo shirts can be solid with simple colors, unique patterns, or horizontal and vertical stripes, suitable for many fashion styles.
- Application: In addition to long and short-sleeved models for everyday or office wear, polo shirts also have high-end lines designed specifically for gentlemen when playing golf.
- Material: The material of the shirt is always focused on, ensuring good elasticity and ventilation, bringing a comfortable feeling when wearing.
With these characteristics, polo shirts are not only convenient but also suitable for many different situations and subjects.
Benefits of Polo Shirt
Suitable for Multiple Situations
One of the reasons why polo shirts are popular is they are suitable for many different occasions. Indeed, polo shirts can be worn at many different events, from working to playing sports and formal parties. This makes the shirt a versatile and convenient choice for many people.
Simple and Elegant Design
Polo shirt has a simple and polite design, creating elegance and sophistication for the wearer. Additionally, its stand-up collar and carefully processed seams create a perfect look for the wearer. Besides, this shirt also comes in many different colors and patterns, from simple shirts to complex printed shirts, suitable for many styles and events.
Comfortable and Easy to Wear
This type of shirt is made from breathable, comfortable, and easy-to-wear fabrics that keep the wearer comfortable all day long. Cotton is often used to make polo shirts, which keeps the wearer cool and comfortable in the summer. This shirt can also be made from polyester or spandex, depending on the intended use.
Express Style and Brand
Polo shirts are also a means to express the wearer’s style and brand. Many famous brands have used polo shirts as a means to promote their brand and create a special mark for the wearer. In addition, polo shirts are also a part of fashion culture, especially in the sports world. Many sports teams and celebrities have used polo shirts in sporting events, from tennis to golf, from football to baseball. This has created a connection with polo shirts in the sports world and helped it become a popular fashion style.
Easy to Mix with Other Clothes
With a simple and sophisticated design, polo shirts are easy to combine with many different outfits. They can be worn with jeans, khakis, trousers, or chinos to create a polite and elegant look. Polo shirts can also be worn with a jacket, blazer, or vest to create a stylish and trendy fashion style.
Types of Polo Shirt
Polo Sleeve Styles
Short-Sleeve Polo Shirt: Short-sleeved polo shirts are a summer staple, perfecting the balance of style and comfort during the warmer months. They offer a sporty yet sophisticated look that’s suitable for casual and semi-formal occasions.
Long-Sleeve Polo Shirt: Long-sleeved polo shirts are a stylish choice for cooler weather or more formal settings. They retain the classic look of the polo shirt while adding warmth and sophistication. Long sleeves can also be rolled up for a more casual look or to accommodate changing temperatures. In essence, both short and long-sleeved polo shirts have unique qualities that make them invaluable additions to a complete wardrobe.
Tactical Polo Shirt: A tactical polo combines the classic, professional shirt style you love with elevated design elements built for high performance, mobility, all-day comfort, and long-term durability. With a sleeve pocket for keeping ID, pens, and cards, offering easy access to important items.
Materials
Cotton: This is the best fabric for making polo shirts. The fabric is woven entirely from natural cotton fibers, so it is very soft and sweat-absorbent, creating a comfortable feeling for the wearer. However, 100% cotton fabric is quite dry and easily wrinkled, so factories often add 2-5% Spandex fibers to increase the elasticity and softness of the fabric.
Polyester: Polyester is a fabric woven entirely from synthetic polyester fibers, long fibers, and smooth, hairless fabric surfaces. It has very high durability, excellent water resistance, and moisture absorption, so it is very suitable for sewing sports polo shirts. However, the fabric does not contain cotton fibers, so it does not absorb sweat.
Poly mix Cotton 65/35 (CVC): This is a blended cotton fabric with 65% natural cotton fiber and 35% synthetic polyester fiber. The cotton blend ratio is greater than 50% so the fabric still retains the general characteristics of softness and good moisture absorption. Cotton 65/35 (CVC) fabric can completely replace 100% cotton fabric.
Pique: Pique fabric is the most popular material used to make polo shirts today. It is made from a combination of 3 types of fibers including 65% cotton, 30% polyester, and 5% spandex. This is a knitted fabric with large mesh-like crocodile skin, with ventilation holes that help the wearer feel comfortable and pleasant. This fabric is very thick and has a super beautiful and sturdy shape. However, its disadvantage is that it is prone to pilling, especially when machine-washed.
Jersey: Jersey is made from cotton, wool, and synthetic fibers. Its advantages are lightness, coolness, and good sweat absorption, bringing the most comfort to the wearer. Although the cotton amount in Jersey fabric is not high, this fabric still ensures that the wearer has the most comfort even during strenuous activities. Moreover, its color retention ability is also highly appreciated. Especially, Jersey is the lightest fabric among all the polo shirt materials.
Fit Styles
Classic Fit: This type of polo shirt is sewn in a classic style making wearers feel comfortable and not hug their bodies. It’s usually straight and not pinched at the waist. This shirt can be worn in multiple situations from formal to informal activities.
Regular Fit: This is a variation of the Classic Polo shirt. Its shoulders, collar, and chest are designed the same as before, but the waist is sewn tighter. If you wear a small size, you will see that the shirt almost hugs the body. Additionally, Regular-fit Polo shirts are usually made of stretchy material to help the wearer not feel uncomfortable and have difficulty moving.
Slim Fit: This is an upgraded version of the Regular Fit Polo shirt. In addition to the waist being designed to be tight, the chest and shoulders are also hugged close to the body to enhance the masculine appearance of men. This is an extremely suitable shirt model for participating in sports activities to help highlight the toned body with the rippling muscles of the guys.
Target Audience of Polo Shirts
Polo shirts appeal to a wide range of people, each with their own tastes and needs. To sell effectively, you need to match the right design and style to the right audience. Identify your target segment and how to reach them effectively.
Sports Teams, Sports Enthusiasts, and Athletes
This shirt is a popular sportswear item, offering comfort and versatility. This is why sports teams, sports enthusiasts, and athletes often choose polo shirts for training, competition, or event participation.
Design suggestions: Incorporate team logos, jersey numbers, or player names. Additionally, you can also mix with sporty elements like dynamic stripes or contrasting colors to create an outstanding.
Products for sale: Breathable, stretchy polo shirts for competition and classic versions training daily.
Office and Business Workers
Polo shirt is a good choice for the office environment thanks to its formal look and comfortable feel, suitable for both work and semi-formal events.
Design Suggestion: Create a simple polo shirt with elegant colors, a company logo, or a slogan. You can also customize employee names or brand symbols for a professional impression.
Products for sale: Anti-wrinkle, easy-care fabric polo shirts, suitable for both men and women.
Casual Wear
This type of shirt is not only suitable for sports or the office but is also a great choice for those who seek comfort and style in everyday wear.
Design suggestions: Design with simple but attractive patterns, inspirational slogans, or eye-catching colors to match the trend.
Products for sale: Basic polo shirts, easy to mix and match, suitable for all situations from work, going out to walking around town.
Team and Organizational Uniforms
Polo shirts are a popular choice for team uniforms because of their comfortable, customizable design and consistency.
Design suggestions: Offer an option to add a team logo, organization name, or personal message to make a difference. Besides, unique color combinations can also help your team stand out.
Products for sale: Short- or long-sleeved polo shirts are available for everyone on your team, with unisex options.
Higher Class Customers
High-end polo brands target customers who love luxury and sophistication, making this shirt a symbol of trendy style.
Design suggestions: Focus on high-quality materials such as Pima cotton, minimalist color combinations, and small, delicate logos. In addition, you need to ensure sharp seams and perfect shapes for the highest quality.
Products for sale: Slim-fit and classic-fit styles, suitable for important events or elegant everyday styles.
Matching Family Outfits
Polo shirts are a popular choice for families who want to bond through matching outfits during holidays or special events.
Design suggestions: Shirts with cute prints, family names, or adorable slogans.
Products for sale: A collection of polo shirts in multiple sizes for every member of the family, from kids to adults.
Best Polo Shirts to Sell
Women’s Pique Polo Shirt | Gildan 64800L
- Fabric Weight: 6.3 oz/yd²
- Fabric Composition: 100% Ring-Spun Cotton Piqué
- Colors: Black, Navy, Red, Royal, White, Charcoal, Sport Grey
- Sizes: S-3XL
- Features: Contoured welt collar, two-button placket with reinforced stitching, tailored side seams for a flattering fit.
This women’s polo is tailored for comfort and style, with its ring-spun cotton fabric providing a soft, breathable texture. It’s ideal for professional settings or casual outings, offering a polished look without compromising on comfort.
Pros:
- Feminine, contoured fit enhances the appeal of women’s designs.
- Heavyweight fabric is durable and maintains structure over time.
- Available in popular colors for easy branding.
Cons:
- Limited to traditional colors, restricting creative options.
- Heavier fabric may not suit extremely warm climates.
Unisex Pique Polo Shirt | Gildan 64800
- Fabric Weight: 6.3 oz/yd²
- Fabric Composition: 100% Ring-Spun Cotton Piqué
- Colors: Black, Navy, Red, Royal, White, Charcoal, Sport Grey
- Sizes: S-5XL
- Features: Welt collar and cuffs, three-button placket, double-needle hemstitching for durability.
This unisex polo is a versatile wardrobe staple, suitable for various settings, from corporate uniforms to casual events. Its durable construction ensures long-lasting wear, making it a favorite for bulk orders.
Pros:
- The wide size range (S-5XL) accommodates diverse customers.
- Classic fit works for both men and women.
- Durable fabric resists wear and tear, perfect for frequent use.
Cons:
- Limited stretch may not suit those seeking a more tailored fit.
- Fewer color options for customers with specific branding needs.
Adidas Performance Polo Shirt
- Fabric Weight: 3.8 oz/yd²
- Fabric Composition: 100% Recycled Polyester
- Colors: Black, White, Navy, Grey, Red, Royal
- Sizes: XS-4XL
- Features: Moisture-wicking fabric, UV protection, rib-knit collar, iconic three-stripe design on shoulders.
This high-performance polo blends style and functionality, perfect for sports teams or activewear branding. Its lightweight, moisture-wicking fabric keeps wearers cool and dry, making it a premium choice for hot climates or athletic use.
Pros:
- Moisture-wicking and UV protection are ideal for outdoor activities.
- Stylish branding with Adidas’ signature stripes adds appeal.
- Eco-friendly materials cater to sustainability-conscious buyers.
Cons:
- Higher price points may deter budget-conscious buyers.
- Limited customization options due to branded design elements.
Port Authority Silk Touch Polo | K500
- Fabric Weight: 5 oz/yd²
- Fabric Composition: 65% Polyester, 35% Cotton Piqué
- Colors: Black, Navy, Red, Royal, White, Burgundy, Hunter Green, Purple, Light Blue, Pink, Grey
- Sizes: XS-6XL
- Features: Wrinkle- and shrink-resistant fabric, flat-knit collar and cuffs, side vents for added comfort.
A timeless classic, the Port Authority Silk Touch Polo offers a silky smooth texture and excellent durability. It’s a perfect choice for professional settings, promotional events, and upscale casual wear.
Pros:
- Wide color range and size availability make it highly versatile.
- Wrinkle-resistant fabric ensures a polished look all day.
- Side vents and breathable fabric provide all-day comfort.
Cons:
- The classic fit may not appeal to those seeking a slim or athletic cut.
- The polyester-cotton blend may not suit buyers preferring natural fabrics.
Merchize Polo Shirts
Merchize offers a wide range of polo shirts in a variety of styles for both men and women. The most outstanding feature of polo shirts at Merchize is the ability to fully customize. Here, you can be unlimitedly creative to create unique and personal polo shirts.
- All-over Print Polo Shirt Midweight/Lightweight
- All-over Print Women’s Polo Shirt Midweight/Lightweight
- All-over Print Men’s Long Sleeve Polo Shirt Midweight/Lightweight
- All-over Print Pocket Polo Shirt Midweight/Lightweight
- All-over Print Men’s Short Sleeve Polo Shirt With Button Closure
- All-over Print Tactical Polo Shirt
- Women’s Sleeveless Performance Polo Shirt
- Women’s Sleeveless Athleisure Polo Shirt
Pros:
- Full customization – print on all surfaces of the shirt.
- Wide range of styles: short-sleeves, long-sleeves, without sleeves,…
- Suitable for both men, women, and unisex fit.
- Use modern printing technology for vivid color and durability.
Cons:
- All-over print might take a long time to produce.
- Pricing might be higher than normal printing options.
How to Design a Polo Shirt
Customization Options
Adding custom prints and embroidery to your polo shirts is a great way to make your designs unique. You can incorporate your logo, slogan, name, or any graphic into the chest, sleeves, or back of your shirt.
In addition, there’s another way to elevate your design is to experiment with collar and cuff colors. A contrasting collar and cuff color combination can make the overall look unique and stylish. If you are a print on demand seller, you can work with your manufacturer to incorporate these elements to create shirts that are uniquely your brand.
Color Combinations
The beauty of polo shirts lies in their versatility with color. Choosing the right color combination for the body, collar, and cuffs can have a significant impact on the design.
You can choose classic solid colors for a timeless look or go bold with block or striped designs. If you’re aiming for corporate or athletic uniforms, coordinating colors with your brand or team theme can create a cohesive look. Look for solid polo shirt options that come in a variety of color combinations to give you creative flexibility.
Printing or Embroidering
Choosing the right printing technique will help the design stand out and be more vivid. The same goes for polo shirts, depending on the design and purpose of use, there will be suitable printing techniques:
- Embroidery: Suitable for logos, letters, and small graphic elements. It brings a luxurious feeling, high-quality, professional finish, and long-lasting. This technical is often chosen for corporate or premium designs.
- Sublimation Printing: Works for all-over print designs but requires polyester fabrics. It provides vibrant, long-lasting prints that won’t peel or crack.
- Direct-to-Garment (DTG) Printing: Great for intricate, full-color designs. It’s also suitable for small batches and offers a soft, natural finish.
Polo shirts are both formal and comfortable to wear. They are a unique combination of a shirt and a t-shirt, so they are suitable for many different customers. In addition, custom-printed polo shirts bring a new breeze to polo shirts, making them more unique items that suit every style and personality. Explore our collection of custom polo shirts today and create your own.
