One of the most versatile shirts any workforce can own, the Polo Shirt is an ideal staple for any business. Versatility, form and function, the Polo Shirt is a firm favourite for a great many reasons.
Soft Collar
Most Polo Shirts nowadays come with soft, ribbed collars that can often look sloppy when the edges start to curl from over washing. Therefore, it is advisable to opt for more of a ‘Shirt-Style’ collar with an interlining because they will stay in shape and keep your workforce looking professional for longer, giving you value for money on your workwear purchases.
You can also find companies offering polo collar stays that glue on the to the fabric, but they will fall off and are a waste of money altogether. The only safe way to maintain a good collar is to use shirt collar stays.
Shirt Collars
The tailored collar is made using the same fabric as the rest of the shirt but with an interlining to improve stability and looks crisper for longer.
You can find them with a classic collar, cutaway collar, and button-down collar as varied style options. These shirts are not meant to be worn with neckwear so you should choose a collar shape that appeals to you when you wear the collar unbuttoned.
Pocket or No Pocket?
Just like with shirts, some Polo Shirts feature a pocket. However, it’s rarely used and if you do it sags (which always looks awful). It looks bad either way and therefore it is better to skip the pocket on a polo shirt.
Plastic vs. Mother of Pearl Buttons
For a more classic look, 2 to 3 buttons are the common choice. The more expensive Polo Shirts should have real Mother-of-Pearl buttons whereas less expensive ones will come with plastic buttons. Of course, to most the buttons may well look the same but quality matters.
Having cheaper plastic buttons can result in the button cracking easier and breaking which makes that buttonhole obsolete. This is easily done when tumble drying or sometimes even upon impact from hot irons.
When it comes to the number of buttons, there are no rules (well, within reason) too many and the fashion police may well be alerted. Some shirts have more, some less. Most Polo Shirts will use two or three buttons. However, there are some that use as many as five or as few as none. For a classic look, 2 or 3 buttons are preferable but try to keep below the dozen mark.
Basic Colours Always Work
Some people will claim that white and navy are the only acceptable colours for a business, but that’s just plain ignorant and usually a sign of insecurity. The fact that more and more businesses are embracing their corporate colour palettes.
Once you have the basics covered, you might think about expanding into some patterns such as checks, stripes or a range of other designs if you are a more creative type of business.
Price ≠ Value
When it comes to budget, Polo Shirts can range in price from £4 to over £15 for a more bespoke offering. In addition to the price, the quality also changes based on the manufacturer. Of course, a shirt for £10 can be of great quality.
On the other hand, if you are about the look and you are on a budget, the is so much choice out there.
Of course, at the end of the day, you have to decide what provides more value for your business, but it pays to look around and to compare options. Generally, it helps to look for quality hallmarks rather than brand names because hallmarks will help you to distinguish better quality from low-quality.
James Worthington is Co-Owner and Co-Managing Director of MyWorkwear, having taken over the business from his father and founder of the company, Mike. James has decades of experience in the workwear industry, supporting businesses across the UK with their workwear requirements.
