 Polo Shirt Fact Sheet
What is a polo shirt?
A polo shirt is a knit pullover shirt with a turned-over knit collar and button placket at the neck. Polo shirts were originally worn by polo players because the collar stayed down during play, polo shirts became popular leisurewear in the 1930s. The polo shirt moved on to be a fashionable unisex style worn at summer resorts. Once the resort wear was established the polo shirt was introduced in the golf world and was renamed as a golf shirt. The polo shirt is a company casual that has become our modern day traditional tradeshow shirt or casual company shirt. For this moment the polo is an icon of classic dressing that is continually evolving to fit the contemporary wardrobe.
What is the difference between 100%, poly blend and moisture wicking?
100% cotton:
A full cotton polo shirt is still the most popular of all the different materials used to make a polo shirts. 100% cotton is as soft, comfortable and breathable as a shirt can get. Some people prefer cotton blends because they cotton-polyester combination makes a shirt nearly wrinkle free and shrink resistant.
Cotton-Polyester Blend:
Usually a manufacturer will come out with a 100% cotton polo shirt and a matching 60% cotton 40% polyester blend for those who need the wrinkle and shrink quality. The 100% polo shirts and the blended polo shirts are of the same quality but have different attributes in performance. Restaurants and work wear environments tend to lean towards a blend because its maintenance is less of that of the 100% cotton polo.
Wicking or Moisture Management 100% polyester:
The 100% moisture management or wicking polo shirt has fabric designed to disperse moisture and allow it to pass through to the surface, so that evaporation can take place. These polo shirts are in high demand and are most common among sport and heat intense climates. Wicking polo shirts also wrinkle free and shrink resistant like the blend polo shirts.
What is the difference between pique, interlock and jersey knitted polo shirts?
Pique:
The traditional knit makeup of a polo shirt, gives the shirt fullness with a rugged texture. Pique is the knitting method used to create the fabrics fine textured surface similar to a waffle weave. Recently the manufacturers have come out with a softer pique textures because they will use Egyptian or Pima cotton.
Interlock:
A two-ply fabric knit simultaneously to form one thicker and heavier ply. It has more natural stretch than a jersey knit, a soft hand, and the same appearance and feel on both sides. Commonly used in knit shirts and turtlenecks. Interlocks have a smoother look and feel and drape different than your traditional pique polo shirt.
Jersey:
A knit consistent of interloping yarns in a jersey stitch to produce a fabric with a smooth, flat face and a more textured, but uniform back. Jersey knit is most commonly used to make your everyday t-shirt but manufacturer but a collar on the shirt and now you have a jersey knit polo shirt. Most jersey knit polo are a cotton/polyester blend.
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