Polos · Est. 1972
The summerpolo
The most-worn garment in a Texas wardrobe, and the one most men buy carelessly.
Pima cotton or a performance blend, with a collar that holds its shape. Ordinary cotton absorbs sweat and clings within minutes outdoors; pima is smoother and lasts considerably longer, while performance blends move moisture away from the skin. The collar decides whether it works under a jacket. Fitted at The Man’s Shop in Arlington.
Fabric
The decision that makes all the others
A polo lives or dies on its cloth in this climate. Ordinary cotton feels good in the shop and clings to your back within minutes of the car park.
Pima cotton is the natural-fibre answer. The longer staple makes a smoother surface that resists pilling and holds up through repeated washing far better than standard cotton, which is why a good pima polo still looks right after three summers.
Performance blends solve a different problem. A poly-spandex construction stretches, holds its shape, and moves moisture to the outer surface where it can evaporate. For golf, for a commute without garage parking, or for anyone who is outdoors between eleven and four, they are simply more comfortable.
What to look for
Beyond the fabric name
- Moisture handling
- Either the fibre does it naturally, as pima largely does, or the construction does it. What you want to avoid is heavy jersey cotton, which does neither.
- Sun protection
- UPF 40 or higher matters more here than most men allow for, particularly for golf and anything on a patio.
- Ventilation
- Mesh panels or open-knit zones under the arms and across the back. Invisible when worn, obvious in comfort.
- Stretch
- Between five and fifteen percent. Enough to move with you, not so much that the shape goes after a season.
- Collar construction
- Ribbed and structured enough to stand up on its own. A collapsing collar is what makes a polo look cheap, and it is the first thing to fail.
Dressy or casual
They are not the same garment
- The dressy polo
- Finer yarn, a structured collar, a clean two- or three-button placket, and a hem cut to be tucked. This is the one that works in a business casual office.
- The casual polo
- Heavier knit, softer collar, longer hem meant to be worn out. Fine at the weekend, wrong under a jacket.
- Under a sport coat
- Only the dressy version works. The collar has to hold its line against the jacket lapel, or the whole thing collapses.
- Hem length
- If you intend to tuck, the hem should sit a few inches below the waistband. Untucked, it should finish around mid-fly and no lower.
- Pattern
- Subtle texture or a fine stripe. Graphics and logos take a polo out of the business casual conversation entirely.
Common questions
Polos, answered
What is the best polo fabric for Texas heat?
Pima cotton among natural fibres, or a poly-spandex performance blend if you are outdoors for long stretches. Pima has a longer staple than standard cotton, so it is smoother, resists pilling, and lasts considerably longer. Avoid heavy jersey cotton, which absorbs sweat and clings.
Can you wear a polo to a business casual office in DFW?
Yes, if it is the dressy kind — finer yarn, structured collar, clean placket, hem cut for tucking. A heavy weekend polo with a soft collar reads differently, and everyone can tell which one you are wearing.
Should a polo be tucked in?
It depends on the cut rather than the occasion. A polo with a hem sitting a few inches below your waistband is designed to be tucked. One finishing around mid-fly is designed to be worn out. Wearing either one the wrong way looks like an accident.
Can you wear a polo under a sport coat?
Yes, with a structured collar. The collar has to hold its shape against the lapel, so this only works with a dressy polo in a finer knit. It is one of the most useful summer combinations available here.
Is pima cotton worth the extra cost?
For a garment you will wear weekly for years, generally yes. The longer fibres resist pilling and hold color and shape through many more washes than standard cotton. The cost per wearing works out lower.
Does UPF really matter in a polo?
In this climate, yes — particularly for golf, outdoor events, or any job that puts you outside in the middle of the day. UPF 40 or higher is worth looking for and costs little extra.
Handle the cloth
Book with Patrick or Austin
Pima and performance feel completely different. Two minutes settles which you want.
Book with PatrickBook with Austin
100 S. West Street, Arlington, Texas 76010
Mon–Sat 10am–5pm · Closed Sunday
(817) 265-1116