A
polo shirt, also known as a tennis shirt or golf shirt is a popular
men's casual wear. These t shirts are not woven but knitted because they
provide greater comfort to the wearer. These shirts are also provided
the wrinkle-free finish for enhancing the dimensional stability of the
garments.History of the Polo Shirt
The history of polo shirts can be traced to Polo players wearing certain shirts during the polo match. These shirts were long sleeved and thus were not very comfortable during the game. Players also had to wear trousers and tie along with the shirt.
René Lacoste, the French Grand Slam tennis champion started his clothing line called 'Lacoste' and designed a knitted pique cotton shirt. This shirt was light weight and did not restrict the player's movement. Since then many polo shirts have been made and these days these polo t shirts are worn by the common man as a causal wear garment.
Fabrics Used
These t shirts are generally made of knitted cloth. Commonly used fabrics are:
- Cotton
- Spandex
- Pique
- Jersey
Buying quality polo shirts is very important for a buyer. There are certain factors that a buyer must consider while buying a polo shirt. They are:
- Yarn Type
Selecting the right kind of yarn is very important for ensuring the quality of the shirt. Yarns having long fibers are smoother and more durable. The quality of short fibers can be improved by combing, a process that helps to increase the strength of the yarn. A strong and smooth yarn ensures a long lasting and softer shirt, thereby ensuring comfort of the wearer.
- Fabric Weight
The price of the polo shirt is in direct proportion to the weight of the fabric. A heavier fabrics means that high quality yarns have been used to manufacture the shirt and hence the higher cost. A polo shirt made of 240 gm fabric per square meter will cost more as compared to a shirt made of 180 gm per square meter.
- Fabric Dyeing
The process of dyeing the fabric is also crucial determinant of the quality of the garment. For cotton based t shirts, it will be better to use reactive dyes as against direct dyes. Synthetic fibers like polyester need to be double dyed for ensuring color-fastness.