How To Choose The Weight Of A Polo Shirt

Polo shirts are great items of clothing for all types of situations. Whether worn as a casual garment for a night on the town, as part of a workplace uniform or as a kit for a sporting event, polo shirts can serve a wide variety of purposes. However, it’s vitally important that you select a polo shirt that’s correct for the purpose to which you intend to use it.

While colour, size and design are all keys to choosing the right polo shirt, its weight is another crucial factor that often goes unconsidered. Indeed, many people may not even be aware that there are different weights of polo shirts at all, instead simply assuming that all are made in the same manner. In truth, the weight of a polo shirt is all-important in affecting not only how it looks, but also how it feels to the wearer.

Which weight is correct for me?

As mentioned above, it’s not simply a case that the heavier the polo shirt, the higher quality of the shirt. Each of the weight categories has its advantages and disadvantages, meaning that some are more appropriate for certain situations than others. When considering which polo shirt you want, it’s a good idea to factor in the purpose to which you intend to put it and the environment in which it will be worn.

The overall decision will depend upon your unique situation, but as a general rule of thumb and a base from which to begin to make your judgements, you can assume that:-

Light-weight polo shirts are normally made from performance polyester. This means that they contain excellent wicking and moisture absorption, making them ideal for sporting environments or ones in which the wearer is likely to become hot and would benefit from a garment that allows you to breathe.

Medium-weight polo shirts are normally made from a mixture of polyester and cotton fibres and constitute an excellent compromise between the two other extremes. For that reason, they are the most popular type of polo shirt, combining comfort, performance and longevity in one attractive package that can be put to a variety of purposes.

Heavy-weight polo shirts are normally made from more hard-wearing fabrics which make them ideal for colder climates and in which the wearer will be subject to more extreme conditions. The heavier fabric will provide additional warmth, while their durability means they are ideal for construction sites, warehouses or other industrial working environments.

Again, these are mere generalised rules of thumb and you should carefully consider the type of fabric you wish your polo shirt to be made from, as well as the aesthetic and functional factors of the final product when making your decision.

How polo shirt weight is measured

Polo shirt weights are measured in the same way that all other types of garment fabrics are – in grams per square metre, or GSM for short. The overall weight of the fabric is most

heavily influenced by the fibres and yarns that were used in its production, but can also be affected by how it is woven. Generally speaking, there are three different

Categories of fabric weight, which are as follows:

Lightweight fabrics – these fall between 30 and 150 GSM

Medium Weight fabrics – these fall between 150 and 350 GSM

Heavyweight fabrics – these are used to indicate anything above 350 GSM

While it might be tempting to assume that a heavier fabric instantly indicates a higher quality garment, that’s not always the case. For example, some materials are created by weaving together finer fibres and yarns, resulting in an end product that is both lightweight and luxurious at the same time. Cotton is woven with long staple fibres, for example can produce garments that feel superior to the touch and sit lightly on the skin.

Polo shirts from Garment Printing

Whether you’re looking for the next article of clothing to add to your corporate wardrobe, a chic and sleek polo for your front-of-house hospitality team, a suave but sporty garment for your local club or just a light and stylish top to wear on casual occasions, Garment Printing have an array of options to suit your needs. Available in a range of weights, styles and sizes, our online catalogue is fit to burst with an extensive collection of choices that will satisfy any situation or occasion.

So what are your next steps

So, for all your polo shirt requirements look no further than the team at Logos 4 Clothes. Call our team on 01400 230 180 or email info@logos4clothes.com.