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Polo shirts are among our biggest sellers here at All Seasons Uniforms, and it’s no surprise to us. They’re smart, comfortable, and always in style—wherever you wear them. But since the classic polo shirt has evolved from a practical button-down collar garment designed for sports into a piece of versatile everyday wear that’s at home in the office as it is on the golf course, finding the right fit for you can be a challenge.
Today there’s a wealth of different types of polo available, in a huge range of colors and silhouettes, as well as garments manufactured from every conceivable kind of material. So, to help you find your next favorite polo shirt, here we explore the very fabric of this ubiquitous design classic. Read on to learn more.
Different Types of Polo Shirt Fabrics
From classic cotton fabrics to innovative performance blends, polo shirts come in a variety of fabrics, taking in everything from polyester, spandex, and modal, to linen, merino wool, and bamboo. Each fabric offers unique characteristics and benefits, helping you to narrow down your wardrobe choices based on comfort, performance, and style preference. Here, we look at a few of our favorite materials here at All Seasons Uniforms.
Cotton Polos
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Cotton has always been a timeless choice for polo shirts, prized for its softness, breathability, and durability. It offers excellent moisture absorption, making it ideal for hot climates or intense physical activity, and whether in pique cotton for a textured finish or combed cotton for a smoother feel, the versatility of this material makes it a favorite among polo wearers worldwide.
This Devon & Jones Performance Polo features 100% combed cotton with EZCool wicking technology for the perfect balance between form and function.
<H3> Polyester Polos
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As a synthetic fabric known for its durability and wrinkle resistance, polyester is often blended with other materials to enhance its properties, with moisture-wicking and absorbent materials or poly/cotton stretch fabrics among the most popular choices. This modern material also features fast-drying capabilities and excellent color retention even under heavy wear, making them a practical choice for sports and other outdoor activities.
Check out this polyester/cotton pique blend from Port Authority for superior wrinkle and shrink resistance combined with a soft and subtle texture.
<H3> Westex® Polos
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For the ultimate in safety gear, Westex® is a flame-resistant fabric known for its exceptional durability and protection against heat and flame hazards. Developed with advanced technology, Westex® fabrics are often used in industrial and safety applications where fire resistance is paramount. Polo shirts made from Westex® offer peace of mind in hazardous environments while maintaining comfort and breathability for all-day wear.
For superior protection, this long-sleeved Bulwark iQ Series polo is manufactured from Westex G2™ fabrics by Milliken®.
Modacrylic Polos
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Another synthetic fabric used for its flame-resistant properties, modacrylic is known for its softness, resilience, and inherent flame-retardant properties. Polo shirts made from modacrylic offer reliable protection against flames and heat sources, making them a popular choice for workers in industries such as firefighting, electrical utilities, and petrochemicals. Modacrylic fabrics are also resistant to shrinkage and wrinkling, ensuring long-lasting comfort and performance in demanding environments.
Moisture wicking and breathable, this Bulwark FR CoolTouch 2 Classic Short Sleeve Polo features a 45% Modacrylic / 35% Lyocell / 20% Aramid blend for NFPA 2112 compliance.
<H2> Innovations in Polo Shirt Materials
Since those early iterations of the polo shirt manufactured from heavy cotton, polo fabrics have embraced material technology to deliver innovations designed for the demands of the modern world. Here, we look at a few of those innovations.
Moisture-Wicking Technologies
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Moisture-wicking fabrics are engineered to draw sweat away from the skin, keeping you cool and dry during physical activity. These innovative materials are often used in athletic polo shirts, allowing you to perform at your best without feeling weighed down by moisture. Look for polo shirts featuring moisture-wicking technology in our collection for ultimate comfort during workouts or outdoor adventures.
This 100% double knit poly mesh polo with stay-cool wicking technology from Ogio is made for the most demanding climates.
Anti-Odor Treatments
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Polo shirts treated with anti-odor technology can help you stay fresh and clean even during the most demanding days. Featuring material technologies that inhibit the growth of odor-causing bacteria, whether you’re hitting the gym or spending the day tied to a desk, our anti-odor polo shirts ensure you stay confident and comfortable from dawn till dusk.
With moisture-wicking and antimicrobial performance fabric, this Core 365 Ladies’ Fusion ChromaSoft™ Pique Polo will keep you looking and feeling fresh.
UV Protection Fabrics
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Shield yourself from harmful UV rays with polo shirts crafted from UV protection fabrics. These specially treated materials provide an added layer of defense against sunburn and skin damage, making them ideal for outdoor enthusiasts or those living in sunny climates. Explore our range of UV protection polo shirts for stylish sun protection without compromising on style.
Featuring an antimicrobial fabric shield and UV protection, this Women’s Snag Proof Short Sleeve Polo from Edwards will help protect you in the sun.
Choosing the Right Fabric for Your Needs
When it comes down to it, choosing the right fabric for your needs will depend on how, when, and where you want to wear your polos. Here we explore how to choose the right fabrics for your needs and how to care for them.
Comfort vs. Performance
While many fabrics today offer the perfect blend of comfort and performance, there is some trade off depending on your exact requirements. As a general rule, cotton polo shirts offer unparalleled softness and breathability, perfect for everyday wear or casual outings, however, performance fabrics like polyester or moisture-wicking blends excel in high-intensity activities, keeping you dry and comfortable when the heat is on.
Care and Maintenance Tips
Proper care and maintenance are essential for prolonging the lifespan of your polo shirts, and many of our customers ask how they can easily care for their uniforms. These tips are a good place to start if you want your favorite shirts to last.
- Follow the care instructions on the garment label to avoid damaging the fabric.
- Wash polo shirts in cold water to prevent shrinkage and color fading.
- Avoid using bleach or harsh detergents, as they can weaken the fabric fibers.
- Hang polo shirts to dry instead of using a dryer to prevent excessive heat damage.
- Store polo shirts folded or hung to maintain their shape and prevent wrinkles.
With the shape and fit of the polo shirt already a certified classic, it’s down to the fabric to offer you and your uniform choice the kind of performance you need. Whether through the classic appeal of cotton or the advanced features of moisture-wicking or flame-retardant technologies, there’s a high-quality fabric option to suit every situation.
So, to find the perfect balance of functionality and comfort, explore our range of American-made polo shirts crafted from premium fabrics and innovative materials and elevate your workwear with polo perfection.
About the Author
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Nick Warrick
Nick Warrick is the Sales Manager at All Seasons Uniforms. With over 15 years of experience in the work uniform business, he has worked with hundreds of clients across 20 different industries. Holding bachelor’s degrees in both Business Administration and Information Technology, Nick revamped the company’s online presence, offering its customers a new uniform shopping experience.