Everything You Need to Know about Blank Polo Shirts
By: Jennifer Posted on: Jul 19, 2022Today, with more options on the market than ever before, blank polo shirts have become a wardrobe staple for everything from sports to business casuals. But, this popular blank apparel is not just a variant of the regular blank t-shirt with a collar. Let us take a look at the key features of blank polo shirts, along with their fabric, style, and customization options.
Features of a Blank Polo Shirt
The defining features of a blank polo shirt are the collar and buttoned placket which is the slit that comes down from the collar.
Collar
Most polos have a separate piece of fabric that forms the collar. Some styles come with a "self-fabric" collar which means that the color fabric is the same as the one that forms the body of the shirt. Contrast collars, on the other hand, use different shades to create a sporty look.
Placket
The placket is the opening between the sides of the collar where the buttons are located. Nearly all blank polos have a two or three-button placket at the neck. The most common style is the two-button placket. Polos with a three-button placket is generally preferred for more formal occasions.
Now let’s see what are the popular fabrics used for making polos.
Polo fabrics
There are many different types of blank polo fabrics, from basics like cotton and polyester to performance materials that wick sweat away and protect from UV rays. Here are some of the most popular options.
Cotton Polos
Cotton polo shirts are soft to the touch, easy to care for, and breathable. You can find shirts made of ringspun, Pima, and other types of cotton with varying levels of softness.
Features: Moisture-wicking, breathable, and classic looking. However, they wrinkle easily and could stretch over time.
Who should buy: Office goers looking for business casuals, Companies who want uniforms for their employees, or pretty much anyone who needs a comfortable polo shirt.
Polyester Polos
Polyester is a synthetic fabric that provides excellent durability and absorbency. It also dries faster than other types of fabrics.
Features: Lightweight, sweat-wicking, and Stain-resistant. Will not shrink, wrinkle, crease, or fade easily. However, they are not as soft or breathable as cotton shirts.
Who should buy: Professions that are physically active or outdoors. Uniforms for intense jobs like restaurants, factories, etc.
Poly/Cotton Blends Polos
Blended fabrics can be the best of both worlds: they combine the softness and breathability of cotton with the durability of polyester.
Features: Blends offer a balance between comfort, durability, and other features.
Who should buy: Companies looking for Corporate Apparel, Schools buying uniforms for students
Performance Polos
Performance polos are very similar to 100% polyester polos, except that they are made with athletes and other physically active people in mind. Here polyester is often blended with spandex and similar lightweight synthetic fibers.
Features: Lightweight. Sweat-wicking. Sometimes offers UV and anti-microbial protection.
Who Should Buy: Golfers, Tennis players, and other Sportspersons. Anyone who wants to wear a polo shirt for athletic activities.
A word on polo knits
Before we conclude the section on fabrics, let's take a look at polo knits.
One of the key differences between t-shirts and polo shirts is the construction of the fabric. Polos are usually made from knit fabrics, as opposed to t-shirts that are made from woven fabrics.
In case you are not familiar with the terms, weaving is the process of interlacing long yarns with one another to create a fabric. These threads are placed horizontally and vertically, to hold them together. Knitting on the other hand uses a single yarn for the entire fabric.
Here, you have two types of knits to choose from - pique and jersey.
Piqué Knit Polo
Piqué (read as pee-’kay) is the classic polo knit, identified by its honeycomb-like texture. Pique knit polos are durable, breathable, and show less sweat. However, they tend to wrinkle faster than their jersey counterparts. The fabric is stronger and makes the collar stand sturdier polos, making them a great choice for formal outfits and office shirts.
Jersey Knit Polo
Jersey knit polo shirts have a smooth surface that is similar to a t-shirt. The fabrics are lightweight, smooth, and have a softer hand. Jersey knit polos are considered a casual outfit choice. Their lightweight, wrinkle resistance, and stretchiness make them a great option for people involved in a lot of physical activities.
Types of Polo shirts
As you saw, polo shirts give you a lot of options when it comes to fabric. It does not limit your choices with style options either. Let’s take a look at some of the popular polo variants.
Short-Sleeve Polo Shirts
This is the classic style that comes to mind when you hear the term polo shirt. You will mostly find these shirts with sleeve hems and a quarter-length placket for buttons.
Long Sleeve Polos
Compared to your regular blank polo shirts, the sole distinction here is the length of the sleeves. These blank polos are ideal for the winter thanks to extra fabric coverage.
Pocketed Polos
Pocketed polos add functionality to polo shirts with the ability to hold pens, business cards, ID badges and so much more.
Colorblock Polos
Color blocking is when you segment a piece of a pattern and use multiple materials to make up that one piece. It gives an athletic edge to the polo shirt and is often picked by sports teams and clubs.
Customization options for polo shirts
Polo can be screen printed or embroidered to create custom shirts. For screen printing, jersey knit polos with their smoother finish can offer better results.
However, embroidery is by far the most common technique for customizing polo shirts. Embroidered logos look classy, complement the textured appearance of the shirt, and are durable.
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