Branded Polo Shirts - Pique, Jersey & Performance

Written by Ben Ward, BusinessGiftUK.com · Last updated 5 July 2026

Choosing the Right Branded Polo Shirts for Your Team

A polo shirt does a job neither a T-shirt nor a full corporate shirt can do on its own. It reads as smart without needing a collar and tie, and it stays comfortable enough for a full working day. That makes it the default choice for uniforms, golf days, exhibitions and any setting where you want a tidier look than a T-shirt without the formality of a shirt.

Pique, Jersey or Performance Knit: Which Polo Fabric Fits Your Brief?

The knit structure changes how a polo looks, feels and takes branding. Pique cotton has a textured, slightly ribbed weave that holds its shape and embroiders well. Jersey is smoother and lighter, closer to a T-shirt fabric, and suits print branding. Performance polyester knits are built for movement and moisture control rather than smart appearance.

The Estrella long sleeve men’s polo is a pique cotton example (220gsm), with a ribbed collar and cuffs built for repeated embroidery.

Collar, Placket and Cuff Detail

Most branded polos share the same three construction points worth checking before you order: a ribbed collar that holds its shape through repeated washing, a button placket that affects how formal or casual the shirt looks buttoned up, and ribbed cuffs that keep the sleeve neat during active work. These details matter more on uniform orders than on one-off event polos, since they’re what shows wear first over a full season.

Embroidery vs Print on Polo Shirts

Embroidery is the more common choice for polos because the textured pique surface holds stitching cleanly and the finish survives repeated washing, which matters for uniforms worn several days a week. Print is better suited to jersey polos, larger designs, or short-term event runs where wash durability matters less than colour coverage.

A Buying Pattern Worth Planning For

Unlike shirts, which tend to get reordered in ones and twos as new starters join, polos are more often ordered as a single batch for the whole team at once, particularly ahead of a launch day, trade show or client-facing rollout where visual consistency matters from day one. If you’re planning a uniform rollout, it’s worth confirming your full headcount up front rather than assuming you can top up sizes easily later in the same colour run.

Related Clothing Categories

If you’re building a full uniform, you may also want branded T-shirts for casual days, branded shirts for a more formal register, or branded hoodies for outdoor and colder-weather shifts. For client golf days specifically, our golf, sport and leisure category covers the accessories side of the same event.

Branded Polo Shirt FAQs