Have you ever wondered how the humble polo shirt came to be? Well, before it became the everyday staple we know and love today, the polo shirt was simply just that – a shirt worn during the horseback game of Polo.
Interestingly the origins of the modern polo shirt can be traced way back to the early 1800s in India where the British Military witnessed their first horseback Polo match. Bringing the game of Polo back to England in 1862, the shirts worn during the game were modified and evolved over the years into the stylish and versatile garment we know it as today.
The Button-Down Collar
John E Brooks was the man who first saw the potential in the polo shirt as a fashion item and in fact used its button-down collar design throughout his range of men’s dress shirts at the time changing the course of men’s fashion forever.
By the 1920’s it was Lewis Lacey’s turn to add his touch to the evolution of the polo shirt. A prominent polo player, Lewis opened a Men’s Wear Shop in Buenos Aires and began selling a version of the polo shirt with the image of a polo player embroidered on the breast.
But it was John Lacoste, a French Tennis Player who got much of the credit for inventing the modern polo shirt. Tennis players of the time wore similar attire to polo players; however, the 1900s tennis whites were largely governed by the high society players at the time – long-sleeved, button-up shirts with flannel trousers and ties – not the most practical active wear!
Short Sleeved Polos
Fashion eventually gave way to practicality, and it was Lacoste who took it to the next level and designed the short sleeve shirt. This new version of the shirt with it’s a non-starched collar, and longer back known as the Tennis Tail (the idea being it could be easily tucked into the trousers at the back) was a significant improvement in so many ways.
The new design became an overnight success, and the modern polo shirt was born but not yet named as such. Other athletes followed the trend and replaced their traditional wear with the Lacoste tennis shirt; among these athletes were Polo players.
The Modern Polo Shirt Emerges
1933 saw Rene Lacoste (nicknamed “the crocodile” due to his drive and determination out on the tennis court) and Andrew Gillier co-found the La Société Chemise Lacoste (The Lacoste Shirt Company) which saw the now popular sports shirt become classic sportswear and by the late 1940s the shirt was commonly referred to as a ‘Polo Shirt’.
The polo shirt, now available in a range of colours, went on to become the must-have sportswear garment of the ’50s and ‘60s primarily due to targeted marketing making it something of a status symbol for the competitive sportsmen. President Dwight Eisenhower even chose to wear a Lacoste polo shirt while playing golf!
Polo Shirts As A Fashion Icon
It was in 1972 that fashion designer Ralph Lauren took the humble polo shirt to another level when he named his new casual fashion wear company, ‘Polo’ after the sport often played by the wealthy and also the Royal family. Ralph creation of an iconic polo shirt range made the polo shirt a sort after item of clothing for all fashion followers.
Over the next decade, Lacoste and Lauren battled for market domination with the polo shirt.
Eventually, it was Ralph Lauren’s polo that gained market domination as it had superior brand recognition, and Lacoste had also over-saturated the market with their products causing it to appear ‘cheap’.
Polo Shirts For Workwear
By the 1990s the polo shirt then became the standard garment of the informal business attire particularly for the tech industry whose employees were looking for some form of formality, but without the need for a traditional shirt and tie.
This concept quickly spread to other industries and the polo is now often worn as part of a uniform as more and more companies recognise the benefits of branding this smart-looking, comfortable and hardwearing plain shirt with their company logo.
Polyester Or Cotton – Which Fabric Is Best For Polos?
The classic polo shirt is one of the most recognisable garments on the market place and an essential requirement for any business uniform. Now available in a huge range of styles and fabrics, it can be quite overwhelming when trying to find the right one for your needs. Which is better polyester or cotton? Here are some basic tips to help in identifying the right fabric for your polo shirt.
Pros And Cons Of Polyester
Here is a list of the basic pros and cons of using polyester fabric for polo shirts.
Pros
- Polyester is durable!
- It will remain colourfast for many years.
- It won’t shrink, and it won’t stretch out of shape like cotton can.
- It washes well too – it is almost dry when you take it out of the washing machine.
- It is cheap to buy, and it comes in a huge range of styles and colours, and it lasts for years to come.
- It is the perfect solution for staff uniform.
Cons
- Polyester can feel cheap if you get the wrong weave.
- It is flammable, which can rule it out for some businesses from an operational aspect.
- It is has a shine to it, so it’s not the best for all figure types.
- It can cause static electricity.
Pros And Cons Of Cotton
Here is our list of pros and cons for choosing a cotton fabric for your polo shirts.
Pros
- Cotton has a professional appearance.
- It feels comfy and soft to touch.
- It drapes well for most figures.
- It is not flammable.
- Cotton is a natural fibre.
Cons
- Cotton can require some maintenance.
- It can shrink and lose shape.
- It is not as colourfast as polyester and can fade over time.
- Cotton prices are affected by seasonal crop outcomes.
What About A Poly/Cotton Blend?
A poly/cotton blend is potentially the best of both worlds, particularly when it comes to finding a hardwearing yet comfortable uniform for staff. Polos made from polyester/cotton blends are usually blended at a ratio of 65/35 (poly/cotton) but can be made with up to a 50/50 mix. The cotton adds warmth, softness and breathability while the polyester adds strength and form.
Pros
- Adding polyester to the cotton creates a more durable wearing garment as the polyester is one continuous strand; it is super tough.
- The cotton is wrapped around the polyester to create a softer garment.
- Poly/cotton blends are very common today across a wide range of garments.
Cons
- When the cotton fibre breaks down, it balls up and attaches itself to the outside of the garment, which is called ‘pilling’.
Breathability Of Cotton Versus Polyester
When it comes to breathability, you have to consider many factors before making your final decision. Many consumers consider cotton to be breathable and polyester not, however, this is not always true. While cotton is known to be breathable, it does depend on the thickness of the material and the type of weave used to create the fabric. Thick cotton canvas, for example, is breathable but certainly not comfortable.
Athletes often wear polyester because it wicks sweat away from the body, which stops the garment becoming heavy and stained. Polyester gives structural support and ventilates easily too.
The moisture is expelled to the outer layers of the garments, and any breeze will have a cooling effect on the skin. Polyester is also more light-weight than cotton, especially as cotton holds moisture.
Still unsure what type of polo is best for your staff uniform? The simple answer is most people go with a high-quality polyester or poly/cotton blend. Polyesters and poly/cotton blends also come in a wide variety of colours and styles too, so finding the right identity for your organisation is easy! Need further assistance? Give the professional workwear team at Business Image Group a call today.
