Choosing polo shirts for your staff uniform is an important decision. You need to provide comfort to every single one of your employees, which often means catering for a wide variety of people. Not only do you need to accommodate for all shapes and sizes, material selection, colour and price point are also important considerations. Here are the five key points you must consider when purchasing polo shirts for your staff.
Do you need to provide clothing for both males and females? If so, you will need to consider a brand that provides not just a classic fit, but a feminine fit as well. This allows everyone to feel like they’re valued and part of the team. Most brands will provide both (Clique, Fruit of the Loom, Gildan, Kustom Kit and Russell), however, some of the more traditional workwear brands only offer a classic fit version.
Beware as not all styles come in both male and female fit (see below).
Most brands of polo shirts come in sizes small to XL or size 10 to 18. If some of your staff are smaller or larger than this, then you will need to explore other options. Brands such as Henbury offer XS to 5XL and sizes 8 to 20, but beware as you may find that some colours are not available in certain sizes.
When choosing Polo shirts, you have a range of materials to choose from. The most common materials are 100% Cotton, a Poly/Cotton mix, and 100% Polyester.
Cotton - Cotton polo shirts are soft, durable and feel great to wear. It’s the perfect choice for those who prefer natural fibres and the best for those with allergies. Organic cotton is grown without the use of pesticides and herbicides. However, the downside of cotton is that it requires more care when washing, so for uniforms, many organisations prefer a poly/cotton blend which is easier to care for and less crease-prone. Also, Cotton naturally loses its dye and so can be prone to fading, most noticeably on dark fabrics. If you opt for cotton polo shirts, consider pre-shrunk cotton to prevent shrinkage during washing.
Polyester - It is a high-strength fabric that resists creasing and shrinking and is quick-drying, so a great choice for easy care washing. Polyester is a synthetic fibre, which returns its original shape when stretched. Due to the fibre construction, they take and hold dye well and can cope with heavy wear, making it great for environments like factories. Most polyester-based polo shirts have excellent moisture wicking so are great for hot workplaces, however can lead to odour due to the lack of absorption. Polyester polo shirts can also be prone to snagging.
Poly/Cotton - Fabrics offer the optimum blend of comfort and ease of care, combining the advantages of cotton and polyester. Poly/Cotton polo shirts will look smarter for longer than the other materials, often the best choice for a range of staff.
Jersey or pique fabric?
Jersey - A knit fabric which offers a smooth, flat and slightly elastic surface. It is a lighter fabric, has a soft texture and is popular amongst businesses with staff who are highly active. The material can make it feel like a T-shirt and is often used in the healthcare industry.
Pique knit – Very durable, flexible and breathes well. When looked at closely it seems to have a waffle type pattern, showing its texture. A double pique combines two threads to make the fabric stronger, and therefore more durable. However, Pique knit can be more prone to wrinkling, unless treated with crease-resistant additives.
Colour choice is often down to personal preference, however there are several points that need to be considered.
What colour is your logo? A dark logo will stand out best on a lighter material such as Heather Grey. A lighter logo will be more visual on a darker material such as navy.
Fading? If you have a range of staff they may not adhere to wash instructions, resulting in clothing fading, so if you are after a dark colour consider charcoal as an alternative to black.
The type of industry you are in. Do your staff sit at a desk all day or are they in a factory getting covered in grease? Stains show less on dark material. However white always looks smart.
If you have staff who require larger sizes, there will be a more limited colour choice, so it may be best to select your colour based on what is available for your largest staff.
Do you need your polo to match with other products? Polo shirts come in a range of colours, but jacket colour is more limited. If you want the whole uniform to match, start with the jacket and then move on to the polo.
Do you need to stand out from the crowd to make a statement? A bold colour such as Orange, Yellow or Red will allow your staff to be highly distinguishable.
Do you have a high turnover of staff? Or is the work particularly messy such as plastering, car maintenance? Then a cheaper polo shirt would be ideal, especially if they will need replacing regularly. If this is the case, you can consider budget brands such as ProRTX.
‘You get what you pay for’ may be cliché, but is most definitely true when it comes to work polos. If you want to achieve a high-end look then you will need a high-quality polo. Consider brands such as the Scandinavian company Nimbus.
If you are aiming for something in the middle, a good quality of polo without the price tag, then Kustom Kit, Russell and Premier are all great options.
If you are still confused, or just want some more guidance, please don’t hesitate to drop me a line. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Kim Oakhill
Sigma Embroidery and Printing
01353 863049
