Polo shirts are one of the most consistent wholesale apparel categories — driven by sustained demand from corporate uniform, sportswear, casualwear and promotional apparel buyers. This guide covers everything you need to know to source polo shirts correctly, from fabric selection through to specification and ordering.
Polo Shirt Fabrics: Pique, Jersey and Flat-Back Mesh
Pique
Pique is the classic polo shirt fabric — a textured knit with a characteristic waffle or honeycomb surface on the face. It is more structured than jersey, holds its shape better and breathes well, making it comfortable in warm weather. Standard polo shirt pique runs from 180–230gsm. Pique is the default fabric for corporate uniform, sports polo shirts and classic casualwear.
Jersey
Jersey polo shirts have a smooth face on both sides and a softer, more casual hand feel than pique. Jersey polo shirts are more typically used in fashion casualwear and premium lifestyle brands where the softer drape of jersey is preferred over the structured feel of pique.
Flat-Back Mesh
Flat-back mesh has a smooth face and a fine mesh structure on the reverse. It is lighter and more breathable than both pique and jersey — most commonly used in performance sportswear and activewear polo shirts where moisture management is important.
GSM Guide for Polo Shirts
- 180–200gsm — lightweight polo. Summer and warm climate markets. Budget-friendly.
- 200–220gsm — standard retail weight. Suitable for corporate uniform and most casualwear programmes.
- 220–240gsm — premium structured polo. Best shape retention, holds embroidery cleanly, premium feel in the hand.
Construction Details
Collar
The polo collar is a defining feature. Standard ribbed collar is the most common. Flat-knit collar gives a more structured, premium appearance. Contrast collar (different colour to body) is a common corporate and sportswear detail.
Placket
The button placket runs down the front centre of the polo. Standard length is 3-button. Self-fabric placket (matching the body) is most common. Contrast placket is a design option. Placket construction quality — whether it is reinforced and sits flat — is a significant quality differentiator between manufacturers.
Sleeve
Short sleeve is standard. Long sleeve is available. Sleeve hem can be ribbed (matching collar and hem) or plain hemmed. Contrast stripe on sleeve is a common sportswear and corporate detail.
Decoration Options
- Embroidery — the most popular decoration for polo shirts. Clean, durable, works on chest and sleeve. Requires digitising of your artwork.
- Heat transfer — suitable for complex logos or photographic designs. Less durable than embroidery at high wash temperatures.
- Screen print — suitable for large graphic areas. Less common on polo shirts than on t-shirts.
Key Specifications for Your Polo Order
- Fabric: pique / jersey / flat-back mesh
- GSM: target weight
- Composition: 100% cotton / poly-cotton / performance poly
- Collar: ribbed / flat-knit, colours
- Placket: length, construction, colours
- Buttons: number, material, colour
- Sleeve: short / long, hem finish
- Decoration: type, placement, artwork
- Quantity per colour per size
- Certification: BCI Cotton standard, GOTS if organic required
Polo shirts take embroidery particularly well due to the structured fabric surface. Always request an embroidery sample before bulk — placement, density and colour accuracy should all be checked on the actual fabric before committing.