Fit is undoubtedly the most important aspect of polo shirt design. Many heritage brands still rely on patterns and shapes which are decades old and thus based on outdated body shapes. It is important to identify brands which employ a contemporary approach to fit: ideally giving a natural fit which is neither slim nor boxy (depending on your preferences of course). Other aspects to the perfect polo shirt fit include:
Sleeve length: The sleeve should be designed to reach to mid-bicep, to show just enough arm
Arm holes: The design of the arm holes is crucial to ensure a good drape to the polo. When you try on a polo shirt, ask yourself: ‘Does this fit like a favourite jacket?’ If the answer is ‘no’, you should keep looking
Placket: There are several different types of placket found on polo shirts. The highest quality version is known as the ‘set-on’ placket – it is made from a separate piece of fabric and is considerably more complicated to manufacture but it gives the shirt a more defined, classical appearance. The placket should generally come with no more than three or four buttons as this gives the ideal length so that the polo shirt looks great buttoned up or partially unbuttoned
Hem split: The best polo shirts will have a split (generally no more than an inch) given to the hem to help ensure an even fit around the waist. There should be no extended/tennis tail as these are better suited to sports polos
The hallmark of all high-quality shirts and polo shirts. Unfortunately, many name brand polos now use plastic or imitation mother-of-pearl buttons – neither has the same iridescence or longevity of genuine mother-of-pearl. The very best mother-of-pearl buttons are sourced from the Australian species Pinctada Maxima (known as the largest and rarest pearl oysters). These buttons can be dyed to match specific Pantone colour references so that they match the body of the shirt.
Choosing the right weight of fabric for any garment is part art/part science. There are several factors to take into account such as the knit or weave of the fabric (including how open or closed it is) and during which season(s) the shirt will be worn.
For piqué knits, a fabric weight of 200-220 grams per square metre is perfect for wear from Spring through Autumn. For jersey knits, a slighter lighter weight (around 170-190 grams per square metre) is recommended. If a brand does not list the cotton weight used it may very well be that they are using a lighter (read: cheaper) fabric.
The very best polo shirts are sewn using a flat felled seam. Although this adds considerable expense, it makes the garment more durable and less likely to lose its shape. It also makes the inside of the polo neater and, we believe, more comfortable to wear. So well made, in fact, that it could almost be worn inside out.
Mercerisation is a treatment that gives fabric (or yarn) a bright, lustrous appearance while also strengthening it and improving colour-fastness. For these reasons, you should choose mercerised where possible – this will generally only be found on higher quality polos.
A stand collar gives shape and height to a polo shirt collar meaning it doesn't sit flat around the neck/collar bone area. For this reason, if you plan to wear your polo under tailoring (and many do), you should ensure you buy a polo shirt with a stand collar.
A key problem with many polo shirts are collars which curl (the so-called 'bacon curl' effect which looks unkempt even if you aren't) and remain difficult to iron through the life of the shirt. This can be avoided by choosing a collar which has the right amount of interlining (a fabric which sits inside the collar and adds stiffness). Interlining which has been added to both sides of the collar should prevent curling at the points - although it is important that the collar is not so stiff as to feel like a formal shirt.
Whether you choose a polo shirt with a logo or not is a matter of personal preference. Logos can be embroidered in contrasting thread or, more discreetly, tone-in-tone to match the colour of the shirt. As a general rule, we prefer our clothing to have minimal or no logos at all - quality can (and usually does) speak for itself.
A tennis tail is an extended flap of fabric at the back of the polo shirt. This style is very much aimed at the sportswear market - as such, only buy if you intend to use the polo shirt for your sporting endeavours.
In this essential guide to the perfect summer polo shirt we’ve shown how many aspects to polo shirt design are important to the finished garment. Additional smaller details to look out for include buttons which have been sewn using a crow’s foot (or fleur-de-lis) stitch. This is both decorative and functional as it reduces the likelihood of the button thread unravelling during washing cycles.
At Niccolò P. we set out to make polo shirts which are more structured than most. We marry the highest quality materials in the world with bespoke-like details to give you the best of all worlds.
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Brand | Niccolò P. | Sunspel | Ralph Lauren | James Perse | Lacoste |
Style | |||||
Price | £95 | £95 | £110 | £160 | £95 |
Material | Egyptian cotton; extra long staple variety (the longer the fibre, the smooth the hand-feel) | Long staple cotton but not extra long staple; no special variety listed | Run-of-the-mill cotton; no special variety listed | Supima cotton; extra long staple variety | Run-of-the-mill cotton; no special variety listed |
Knit | Double-jersey. The most common knit is single-jersey which has a 'right' side (facing out) and a 'wrong' or slightly rougher side (facing in). This means it feels softer on the outside than inside. Using double-jersey, a polo has a 'right' side facing out and in giving a much smoother wear | Single-jersey | Double-jersey | Single-jersey | Petit pique. Pique is a popular knit for polo shirts as it offers good breathability in warmer weather given its waffle-like structure |
Buttons | Australian mother-of-pearl buttons (dyed in Italy to match shirt) | Plastic | Plastic | Plastic | Plastic |
Collar | Self fabric stand collar - uses a good weight of interlining to ensure no curling; this collar type lets the polo sit properly under a jacket | Self fabric stand collar | Ribbed collar - tendency to curl and doesn't pair well with blazer/sport coat | Self fabric stand collar | Ribbed collar - tendency to curl and doesn't pair well with blazer/sport coat |
Seams | Flat-felled seams. These take 5x longer to sew than overlock seams but offer improved comfort with a cleaner structured fit around the shoulders. As this seam is ‘over-engineered’, shape and fit are more durable | Standard overlock seam | Standard overlock seam | Standard overlock seam | Standard overlock seam |
Branding | No external logos | No external logos | Logo on front breast | No external logos | Logo on front breast |
Fit | Straight fit | Straight fit | Slim fit | Slim fit | Straight fit |
Provenance |
Fabric knitted in Italy, garment made in Portugal Discover more here. |
Made in Turkey | Marked as "Imported" | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
When shopping for a new polo shirt, the fit of the polo is the most important thing to get right: it should be comfortable around the shoulders, arms and torso, neither too slim nor overly loose. The sleeves should reach to mid-bicep to show just the right amount of arm. We prefer a front placket which has been 'set-on' meaning that it is fashioned from an entirely separate piece of fabric (rather than simply cut into the main body of the shirt) and is considerably more complicated to manufacture - it gives the front of the polo a defined appearance and is the hallmark of real craftsmanship. To finish, the classic placket has no more than three buttons.
For flexibility, we recommend avoiding overly 'sporty' polo shirts unless that is the sole purpose of buying it. As such, select a polo with a moderate hem split (no more than an inch) with no extended or so-called tennis tail.
For flexibility, we recommend avoiding overly 'sporty' polo shirts unless that is the sole purpose of buying it. As such, select a polo with a moderate hem split (no more than an inch) with no extended or so-called tennis tail.
A note on buttons: a high quality mother-of-pearl button custom dyed to match a Pantone colour can cost around 50 pence or £2 per polo shirt (three buttons on the placket and one spare on the care label). Compare this with plastic buttons which typically cost less than 5 pence per piece. There are also imitation mother-of-pearl buttons which are better than a plastic button but are no substitute for the real thing.
Make quality: we can't stress enough how important the make quality of a polo shirt is. We have inspected sample products from many factories around the world and there is often a huge variance in how well the garments are put together. The approach to quality control will differ depending on what other brands a particular factory produce for. If the factory typically makes for 'fast fashion', there simply isn't the time or inclination to ensure to a close enough extent that, for example, each size in any particular style precisely matches the others. For polo shirts, we prefer brands which rely on suppliers which are based in Europe. Countries such as Italy and Portugal have a long history and expertise of working with jersey fabric.
Lastly, the question of whether you brand which adds a logo or not. This is a matter of individual preference but we recommend that if you do choose a polo shirt with a logo that the logo itself is relatively small. Remember that the presence of a logo on your clothes is rarely there for your benefit!
On all measures then Niccolò P. polo shirts stand apart as using the best available materials and make techniques compared with more established brands. As a true direct-to-customer business (and polo shirt specialist), Niccolò P. does not have to bear the significant costs of a physical store network and associated management expense. For this reason, the brand is compromise-free and uses - demonstrably - the very best fabrics in the world while still pricing significantly below equivalent traditional retail (a polo shirt with comparable features from the other brands featured here would cost in the region of £130).
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Fit is a key aspect of polo shirt design. Many heritage brands still rely on patterns and shapes which are decades old and thus based on outdated body shapes. Italian polo shirts brands tend to deliver a contemporary fit which is neither slim nor boxy. Other aspects to the perfect polo shirt fit include:
Sleeve length: The sleeve should be designed to reach to mid-bicep, to show just enough arm (in true Italian style)
Arm holes: The design of the arm holes is crucial to ensure a good drape to the polo. When you try on a polo shirt, ask yourself: ‘Does this fit like a favourite jacket?’ If the answer is ‘no’, you should keep looking
Hem split: The best polo shirts from Italy will have a split (generally no more than an inch) given to the hem to help ensure an even fit around the waist. There should be no extended/tennis tail as these are better suited to sports polos
One hallmark of high-quality Italian polo shirts is the use of mother-of-pearl buttons. Unfortunately, many name brand polos now use plastic or imitation mother-of-pearl buttons – neither has the same iridescence or longevity of genuine mother-of-pearl. The very best mother-of-pearl buttons are sourced from the Australian species Pinctada Maxima (known as the largest and rarest pearl oysters). These buttons can be dyed to match specific Pantone colour references so that they match the body of the shirt. Gritti, in Italy, supplies buttons to many of the best Italian polo shirt makers.
Choosing the right weight of fabric for any garment is part art/part science. There are several factors to take into account such as the knit or weave of the fabric (including how open or closed it is) and during which season(s) the shirt will be worn.
For piqué knits, a fabric weight of 200-220 grams per square metre is perfect for wear from Spring through Autumn. For jersey knits, a slighter lighter weight (around 170-190 grams per square metre) is recommended.
The very best polo shirts are sewn using a flat felled seam. Although this adds considerable expense, it makes the garment more durable and less likely to lose its shape. It also makes the inside of the polo neater and, we believe, more comfortable to wear. So well made, in fact, that it could almost be worn inside out.
Mercerisation is a treatment that gives fabric (or yarn) a bright, lustrous appearance while also strengthening it and improving colour-fastness. For these reasons, you should choose mercerised where possible – this will generally only be found on higher quality polos.
A stand collar gives shape and height to a polo shirt collar meaning it doesn't sit flat around the neck/collar bone area. For this reason, if you plan to wear your polo under tailoring (and many do), you should ensure you buy a polo shirt with a stand collar.
One of the major issues with polo shirts are collars which curl and remain difficult to iron through the life of the shirt. This can be avoided by choosing a collar which has the right amount of interlining (a fabric which sits inside the collar and adds stiffness). Interlining which has been added to both sides of the collar should prevent curling at the points - although it is important that the collar is not so stiff as to feel like a formal shirt.
Whether you choose a polo shirt with a logo or not is very much a matter of personal preference. Logos can be embroidered in contrasting thread or, more discreetly, tone-in-tone to match the colour of the shirt.
A tennis tail is an extended flap of fabric at the back of the polo shirt. These are strictly speaking only for polo shirts aimed at sports use meaning they are less versatile.
In this essential guide to the perfect Italian polo shirt we’ve shown how many aspects to polo shirt design are important to the finished garment.
At Niccolò P. we make polo shirts which are more tailored than most. Our polo shirts are made in the Italian style. We incorporate the very best materials in the world and manufacturing aspects to give you the best of all worlds.
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Gritti Group in Northern Italy has been crafting the finest mother-of-pearl buttons for luxury brands all over the world since 1924. Niccolò P. exclusively uses mother-of-pearl buttons from Gritti's 1924 range. The shell for these buttons (scientific name: pinctada maxima) is sustainably farmed in Australia from pearl oysters grown from larvae sourced by Aboriginal Australians.
Mother-of-pearl offers an unmistakable iridescence which even the best imitation mother-of-pearl can't match. And because mother-of-pearl is a natural material, it is possible to dye the buttons to any Pantone colour specification. This means that Niccolò P. can perfect colour match to its fabrics with no guesswork or close match effort.
Lastly, bear in mind that if your polo shirt or shirt maker is using plastic or imitation mother-of-pearl for its buttons, it is likely they are economising just about everywhere on the garment. The Niccolò P. philosophy is to re-interpret classic menswear for the smaller but better wardrobes of the future. We firmly believe that better made products last longer. This is something of a virtuous circle: higher quality materials outlast and look better for longer than lower quality ones - this is especially true in clothing. As a result, we tend to care for those better products more (whether by how we store them or clean them) which improves their longevity even further. Making fewer garments that last longer reduces the impact that the clothing industry has on our world. Join the pursuit of less.
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Wearing a polo shirt with style is primarily a question of choosing the right fit and selecting the right fabric knit type to complement both your body shape and the occasion. While the polo shirt is often grouped with t-shirts as a strictly casual item, choosing a high quality brand and shirt-like style will elevate it to many more formal uses. There are a few basic rules to follow to get this right every time.
The most popular fabric knit types used in polo shirts are jersey and piqué. Jersey has a smooth, flat and somewhat elastic surface (see fig. 1) with a slightly more textured reverse. It has a lighter feel which is good for warm weather or those who prefer a lightweight fabric.
Fig. 1 Jersey knit fabric
Piqué, on the other hand, may be either knitted or woven. It features a raised design with a waffle-like appearance (see fig. 2). Piqué’s advantages include durability, showing perspiration less, and its attractive textured detailing. Because piqué is an open weave, it is preferred for hot climates or strenuous activity. It also tends to drape better for those with more around the middle (see further below).
Fig. 2 Piqué knit fabric
For normal to athletic body shapes, you should feel free to choose either jersey knit or piqué. Jersey knits tend to have a smarter appearance due to their construction which has a smooth finish. This is even more so on luxury polo shirts which will often be mercerised to improve colour retention giving the cloth extra shine.
For those carrying extra weight around the middle, we recommend a piqué knit...jersey knits tend to ‘hug’ the body which can be unflattering whereas piqué knits have considerably less stretch meaning they drape straighter.
For those carrying extra weight around the middle (the last three body shapes in fig. 3 below), we recommend a piqué knit. Jersey knits tend to ‘hug’ the body which can be unflattering whereas piqué knits have considerably less stretch in the fabric meaning they drapes straighter. An alternative, of course, is to go up a clothing size for a looser fit in either knit style.
Fig. 3 Body shapes
Jersey knit polo shirts are perfect for almost every occasion save that higher quality polos/those with a more formal style don't work very well for very hot climates or strenuous activities. Piqué knits carry a more informal style which is perfect for relaxed occasions and, being an open weave, ideal for when the temperature begins to climb. For that reason, it is the knit of choice for traditional polo shirt usage and summer holidays.
Certified by the West Indian Sea Island Cotton Association, Sea Island cotton is only found in the British West Indies where the Caribbean climate is ideal for its growth. The fibres are picked by hand and processed in a traditional method; the result is an unmatchable soft touch and silky texture. With an average staple length of 50mm its fibres are 20 per cent. longer than any other type of fine cotton.
Approximately 110 million bales of cotton are produced each year worldwide. Of this total, around 2 million bales (or 1.8 per cent.) are extra-long staple cotton varieties. The annual production of Sea Island Cotton is just 130 bales. It is quite simply the rarest and most precious cotton in the world. We use Sea Island cotton exclusively in our piqué knit resort polo shirts. A special hologram, guaranteeing the authenticity of the cotton, is included with each of our Sea Island polos.
Produced in Upper Egypt, Mako is an extra-long staple cotton of exceptional fineness. The result is a fabric which is very soft with a silky hand but also robust. Our Egyptian Mako cotton polo shirts are knitted using a double-jersey technique. Single-jersey - the most common kind - has a 'right' side (facing out) and a 'wrong' or rougher side (facing in) meaning the garment feels softer to touch than to wear. Using the double-jersey technique (with two 'right' sides) and a mercerised finish you will enjoy a silk-like softness inside and out.
The fit of a garment is the most important determinant on how well it looks on you. Many heritage brands still rely on patterns and shapes which are decades old and thus based on outdated body shapes. It is important to identify brands which employ a contemporary pattern block: giving a natural fit which is neither slim nor baggy (depending on your preferences of course). Other aspects to the perfect polo shirt fit include:
Sleeve length: The sleeve should be designed to reach to mid-bicep
Arm holes: The design of the arm holes is crucial to ensure a good drape to the polo. When you try on a polo shirt, ask yourself: ‘Does this fit like a favourite jacket?’ If the answer is ‘no’, you should keep looking
Placket: There are several different types of placket found on polo shirts. The highest quality version is known as the ‘set-on’ placket – it is made from a separate piece of fabric and is considerably more complicated to manufacture but it gives the shirt a more defined, classical appearance. The placket should generally come with no more than three or four buttons as this gives the ideal length so that the polo shirt looks great buttoned up or partially unbuttoned
Hem split: The best polo shirts will have a split (generally no more than an inch) given to the hem to help ensure an even fit around the waist. There should be no extended/tennis tail as these are better suited to sports polos
To wear a polo shirt with style, you need to ensure a comfortable fit using the right fabric type for both the weather/activity and your body shape. The Weekend is a style of polo shirt by Niccolò P. comprising jersey knits perfect for everyday or even special occasion wear, while The Resort is a collection of piqué knit polo shirts ideal for very warm weather or intensive activity.
It should be obvious, but our first rule is that whatever you wear you should be clean and, importantly, look clean. Unfortunately, this is a regular trip up. Irrespective of cost or the type of clothing, the item will always look a price-point higher when freshly laundered and pressed. And, while you are taking the trouble to make your clothes look their best, you should extend the treatment to personal grooming in particular keeping hair and facial hair tidy however you wish to style it.
As comfort and function typically trump formality in tech, the reality is that you can wear almost anything you like. When it comes to the hoodie question, we have a preference instead for sweatshirts. There is no real functionality to a hood in the workplace – and we think it says ‘campus’ more than ‘workplace’. Irrespective of your choice, go for a style that is (a) a good fit for your body shape being, in particular, not too baggy, and (b) logo and slogan free.
It is hard to beat the basic tee for comfort and utility. We have two pieces of advice: recognise when yours have passed their retirement date and avoid excessively large logos or humorous slogans.
We have a soft spot for the classic polo shirt. For over a hundred years it has maintained its status as the perfect weekend staple and, increasingly, as a workplace workhorse. The reason is simple: choosing the right style of polo gives you something that is both t-shirt comfortable and shirt respectable.
Polo shirts fall broadly into two categories: the traditional sports polo and, more popular recently: the semi-formal style which borrows more from shirt design. We suggest choosing the latter as it gives more flexibility; choose a style which comes with a stand collar – this type of collar (much like a shirt) allows the polo to sit up properly under a jacket if needed. Quality buttons (mother-of-pearl ideally) are noticeable from further away than you might think and will mark you out as someone who takes notice of the finer details – never a bad thing when trying to make an impression. A long sleeve example will see you through colder months and is ideal for the shoulder seasons when you can roll the sleeves up for an effortlessly relaxed look.
Our top tip for your legs is to try something a little different. Of course, chinos and jeans will always rule the roost in tech (and everywhere else) but we think a crossover style works very well which is why we suggest trying drawstring trousers. These have become more popular in recent times as they offer the comfort of loungewear with the smartness of a chino. Most come with 3-5% elastane which is enough stretch to stay comfortable meaning you will not feel like you are waiting to take them off the moment you get home. A navy style will allow you to choose a bolder colour for your sweater, jumper, or polo shirt.
There was a time when you would be considered somewhat of a dandy if you owned more than two pairs of shoes: a training shoe and something for smarter, more formal occasions (i.e. that funeral of a distant relative you’re obliged to attend). Thankfully that time has passed and there is now enormous choice from well-established brands and independents offering a great variety at all price points. Trainers will always be popular in tech: we suggest choosing a shoe with modest branding and prefer single (or at most two) neutral colours. We also like suede in both trainers and shoes – they elevate the former and relax the latter – and don’t worry about the rain, there are inexpensive protective sprays which do an excellent job of keeping them looking smart.
It’s good to be ready for the unexpected. In tech, it can mean being summonsed to an external meeting at short notice. We recommend leaving a navy or charcoal grey blazer jacket on your chair for the occasion, so you won’t have to bring it in and out of work every day ‘just in case’. And, as we all know, the ‘jacket on the chair’ is a time-honoured ruse to suggest the owner is still working but momentarily away from his desk. Win-win.
Or rather not. We’re thinking about baseball hats in particular as the main choice of hat these days. No other piece of headgear is so iconic yet so divisive. We won’t wade into that debate here but we don’t think hats in general have any place in workplace.
If it’s good enough for Steve Jobs and Elizabeth Hol… (well, never mind!), its good enough for us. We think the polo neck/turtleneck/roll neck is a great addition during colder months in particular as it never gives the impression of being over or under dressed – versatility – the same reason we love the polo shirt.
And those are our ‘rules’ for dressing well in tech. We would also add that while your own personal style is important, you need to be wary of standing out – for this reason, it always helps to be aware of the room. Naturally, it’s better to stand out for your work than your workwear.
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When shopping for a new polo shirt, the fit of the polo is the most important thing to get right: it should be comfortable around the shoulders, arms and torso, neither too slim nor overly loose. The sleeves should reach to mid-bicep to show just the right amount of arm. We prefer a front placket which has been 'set-on' meaning that it is fashioned from an entirely separate piece of fabric (rather than simply cut into the main body of the shirt) and is considerably more complicated to manufacture - it gives the front of the polo a defined appearance and is the hallmark of real craftsmanship. To finish, the classic placket has no more than three buttons.
For flexibility, we recommend avoiding overly 'sporty' polo shirts unless that is the sole purpose of buying it. As such, select a polo with a moderate hem split (no more than an inch) with no extended or so-called tennis tail.
For flexibility, we recommend avoiding overly 'sporty' polo shirts unless that is the sole purpose of buying it. As such, select a polo with a moderate hem split (no more than an inch) with no extended or so-called tennis tail.
A note on buttons: a high quality mother-of-pearl button custom dyed to match a Pantone colour can cost around 50 pence or £2 per polo shirt (three buttons on the placket and one spare on the care label). Compare this with plastic buttons which typically cost less than 5 pence per piece. There are also imitation mother-of-pearl buttons which are better than a plastic button but are no substitute for the real thing.
Make quality: we can't stress enough how important the make quality of a polo shirt is. We have inspected sample products from many factories around the world and there is often a huge variance in how well the garments are put together. The approach to quality control will differ depending on what other brands a particular factory produce for. If the factory typically makes for 'fast fashion', there simply isn't the time or inclination to ensure to a close enough extent that, for example, each size in any particular style precisely matches the others. For polo shirts, we prefer brands which rely on suppliers which are based in Europe. Countries such as Italy and Portugal have a long history and expertise of working with jersey fabric.
Lastly, the question of whether you brand which adds a logo or not. This is a matter of individual preference but we recommend that if you do choose a polo shirt with a logo that the logo itself is relatively small. Remember that the presence of a logo on your clothes is rarely there for your benefit!
On all measures then Niccolò P. polo shirts stand apart as using the best available materials and make techniques compared with more established brands. As a true direct-to-customer business (and polo shirt specialist), Niccolò P. does not have to bear the significant costs of a physical store network and associated management expense. For this reason, the brand is compromise-free and uses - demonstrably - the very best fabrics in the world while still pricing significantly below equivalent traditional retail (a polo shirt with comparable features from the other brands featured here would cost in the region of £130).
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Die Passform ist der wichtigste Aspekt beim Entwurf eines Polohemds. Viele Traditionsmarken greifen noch immer auf Muster und Formen zurück, die jahrzehntealt sind und daher auf bereits überholten Körperformen basieren. Sie sollten darauf achten, Marken zu erkennen, die ein zeitgemäßes Muster nutzen: eine geschneiderte Passform, die weder schlank noch bauschig ist (natürlich je nach Ihren Vorlieben). Weitere Faktoren, die für eine perfekte Polo-Shirt-Passform wichtig sind:
Ärmellänge: Die Ärmel sollten so geschneidert sein, dass bis zur Mitte des Bizeps reichen, um gerade noch genug Arm zu zeigen.
Arm-Öffnungen: Das Design der Armöffnungen ist wichtig, um dem Shirt einen guten Faltenwurf zu verleihen. Wenn Sie ein Polohemd anprobieren, fragen Sie sich: „Passt es wie eine gute Jacke?“ Falls nicht, sollten Sie weitersuchen
Knopfleiste: Es mehrere Arten von Knopfleisten für Polohemden. Die Version der höchsten Qualität heißt „Set-On“-Knopfleiste und wird aus einem separaten Stück Stoff gefertigt, und ist wesentlich komplizierter in der Herstellung, aber sie verleiht dem Shirt ein definierteres, klassischeres Aussehen. Die Knopfleiste verfügt in der Regel über höchstens drei oder vier Knöpfe, was die ideale Länge ist, damit das Polohemd zugeknöpft sowie teilweise aufgeknöpft hervorragend aussieht.
Saumschlitz: Die besten Polohemden verfügen über einen Schlitz am Saum (in der Regel nicht mehr als ein Zoll lang), damit das Shirt an der Hüfte gut passt. Es sollte keine längere Rückseite haben, da diese besser für Sport Polos geeignet sind.
Das Kennzeichen aller hochwertigen Shirts und Polohemden. Leider verwenden viele Marken-Polos und Kunststoff oder Imitate, die leider nicht über das selbe Schillern oder die selbe Langlebigkeit verfügen, wie echte Perlmutt-Knöpfe. Die besten Perlmuttknöpfe stammen von der australischen Spezie Pinctada Maxima (die als größte und seltenste Auster gilt). Diese Knöpfe können gefärbt werden, damit sie einer bestimmten Pantone-Farbe entsprechen, um zum Grundton des Shirts zu passen.
Die Auswahl des richtigen Gewebegewichts für ein Kleidungsstück ist teils Kunst teil Wissenschaft. Es müssen mehrere Faktoren berücksichtigt werden, beispielsweise der Strick oder das Gewebe des Stoffs (auch wie offen oder geschlossen es ist) und in welchen Jahreszeiten das Shirt getragen wird.
Bei Piqué-Strick ist ein Fasergewicht von 200-220 Gramm/Quadratmeter perfekt für Kleidung, die von Frühling bis Herbst getragen wird. Für Jersei-Strick wird ein etwas leichteres Gewicht empfohlen (etwa 170-190 Gramm pro Quadratmeter). Falls eine Marke das verwendete Baumwollgewicht nicht nennt, ist es wahrscheinlich, dass ein leichteres (also billigeres) Gewebe verwendet wurde.
Die besten Polohemden werden mit einer flachen Kappnaht genäht. Obwohl dies äußerst kostspielig ist, wird die Kleidung dadurch haltbarer und verliert nicht so schnell an Form. Die Innenseite des Polos wird auch glatter und unserer Meinung nach angenehmer zu tragen. Es ist so gut, dass man das Shirt beinahe auch auf Links tragen könnte.
Die Merzerisation ist eine Behandlung, durch die das Gewebe (oder der Stoff) ein helles, lebendiges Aussehen erhält, und er gleichzeitig gestärkt wird und farbfester wird. Deshalb sollten Sie sich wo möglich für eine Merzerisation entscheiden – dies finden Sie in der Regel nur bei hochwertigen Polos.
Ein Stehkragen verleiht dem Kragen eines Polohemds Höhe und Form, so dass er nicht flach am Hals-/Kragenbereich anliegt. Aus diesem Grund sollten Sie sicherstellen, dass Sie ein Polohemd mit Stehkragen kaufen, wenn Sie vorhaben, es unter anderer Kleidung zu tragen.
Eines der Hauptprobleme mit Polohemden sind Kragen, die sich aufrollen, und während der gesamten Lebensdauer des Shirts nur schwer gebügelt werden können. Dies kann vermieden werden, indem Sie sich für einen Kragen entscheiden, der über die richtige Menge an Einlagen verfügt (ein Gewebe, dass sich im Kragen befindet und diesem Festigkeit verleiht). Wenn Zwischenfutter auf beiden Seiten hinzugefügt wurde, sollte sich der Kragen an diesen Punkten nicht mehr aufrollen. – Es ist jedoch auch wichtig, dass der Kragen nicht so fest ist, dass er sich wie ein formelles Hemd anfühlt.
Ob Sie sich für ein Polohemd mit oder ohne Logo entscheiden liegt ganz bei Ihnen. Logos können einen Kontrast zum Shirt darstellen, oder diskret im selben Farbton des Shirts eingenäht werden.
Ein Tennis-Tail ist eine Verlängerung des Hemds an der Rückseite. Diese sind streng genommen nur für Polohemden vorgesehen, die für den Sport verwendet werden, was sie weniger breitgefächert tragbar macht.
In diesem ultimativen Ratgeber für das perfekte Sommer-Polohemd haben wir Ihnen die zahlreichen Aspekte gezeigt, die für ein fertiges Kleidungsstück wichtig sind. Zu den weiteren kleineren Details, auf die Sie achten sollten, gehören Knöpfe, die mit Hilfe einer Krähenfuß-Naht (oder auch Fleur-de-Lis-Naht) genäht wurden. Dies ist sowohl dekorativ als auch funktional, da es die Wahrscheinlichkeit senkt, dass sich die Knöpfe während der Wäsche lösen.
Wir von Niccolò P. fertigen Polohemden, die besser geschneidert sind als die meisten anderen. Wir verwenden das beste Material und halten uns an die besten Fertigungsmethoden der Welt, um Ihnen bestmögliche Qualität zu liefern.
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The office work environment has evolved considerably in the last two decades: where before staid two and three-piece suits, starched collars and the double Windsor knot were the order of the day (together with Mad Men-style office innuendo), now there are many acceptable ways for men to dress for success.
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The office work environment has evolved considerably in the last two decades: where before staid two and three-piece suits, starched collars and the double Windsor knot were the order of the day (together with Mad Men-style banter), now there are many acceptable ways for men to dress for success.
While it’s far too early to call time on the lounge suit as a staple of the classic office work wardrobe, there has been a distinct move over the last 10 years towards more informal dressing particularly for ‘casual Fridays’, days where there aren’t any client-facing meetings or during after-hours corporate entertainment events (within the limitations of the Bribery Act of course!). But a suit and tie combination has certainly had its day as the only marker of business respectability; there are now many accepted alternatives which fall under the 'business casual' umbrella.
This changing definition of ‘work clothes’ has, however, left many in a quandary about how to dress to maintain a professional image in the absence of sticking with a suit.
This changing definition of ‘work clothes’ has, however, left many in a quandary about how to dress to maintain a professional image in the absence of sticking with a suit (and let us not forget: whatever may be said about it, we can all agree that it made decisions about what to wear very simple – a quality navy suit with solid colour shirt and (optional) silk tie was a relatively easy formula to nail down).
So how can you make an impression in a world with fewer ground rules for what to wear at work?
The right shoes are key to any great outfit: if ‘clothes maketh man’ then the work starts from the ground up. Since it is now acceptable for a man to own more than two pairs of shoes(!), there is no excuse for not having a variety in your wardrobe for different occasions. For semi-formal work use, we think the right pair of trainers are an excellent choice being breathable, comfortable and looking the part providing they aren’t a chunky trainer or anything similar. Aim for minimal logos, single dark colour leather or suede.
We recommend a well-fitting pair of chinos or woollen trousers as an ideal base for a semi-formal outfit. Look for darker colours and a fit which is flattering to you - a 'straight' fit is ideal being neither too baggy nor too slim. Avoid the cream chinos plus light blue shirt combination so common in the US - it reeks of a complete lack of ideas. If wearing jeans, we suggest that darker colours are best and, needless to say, keep it conservative by avoiding on-trend, ripped or age-inappropriate styles.
The polo shirt is a staple of every man's weekend wardrobe but is increasingly a great option for semi-formal occasions providing the correct style is chosen. A ‘sports’ polo shirt, for example, is not compatible with business casual. Features of the typical sports polo include:
• a ‘tennis’ tail where the back of the shirt is 1-2cm longer than the front
• flat, knitted collars which have a strong tendency to curl
• large distracting logos – whether it's a reptile, a rodent or the 'King of the Jungle' you don’t wear them on your dress shirts, so why should you tolerate them on your polo shirts?
• lower quality fabrics which don't hold up to repeated wears as well as a structured polo shirt will; also, the colours fade more quickly
So, if you are going to wear a polo shirt while at work, then you should aim high - you want to make an impression, right? As such, we recommend a polo which has all or most of the features a high-quality shirt. This will mean allocating a similar budget, but you will own a polo which will look the part and will hang comfortably with your shirts in the closet rather than sit in a drawer with your t-shirts. Key features to look out for in a ‘work’ polo shirt include:
• long staple cotton material (such as Supima or Egyptian Mako or even Sea Island if your budget extends)
• stand collars which sit up properly allowing you to wear a light jacket or blazer with ease and preventing your neck from rubbing against the jacket’s collar (which inevitably leads to a sheen over time)
• genuine mother-of-pearl buttons
• no logos (or at most, a tonal, very discreet logo to chest or near the side vents)
• a reasonable fabric weight so no undershirt is required
In the hotter summer months wearing a jacket can be a real burden particular on the journey to and from work. But what happens when that ‘surprise’ client meeting is sprung? We suggest leaving a light blazer in the office during hot spells as putting this on instantly elevates your style. And, providing you follow our advice on how to choose a high-quality polo shirt (particularly regarding a stand collar), you will have no difficulty pairing it and pulling off a more formal appearance instantly.
In conclusion, our top tips to dress for success in a semi-formal work environment are:
• Invest in yourself – with regular rotation and proper care, high quality clothing should last several years giving a far better return on your investment than lower quality brands
• Stick with solid colours – stay away from fancy prints or elaborate styles
• A polo shirt with a stand collar (as all Niccolò P. polo shirts have) is an excellent choice as they can be worn with a light jacket or blazer creating a very smart look that perfectly threads the line between formal and casual
And remember, as ever: first impressions last.
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Although the polo shirt has been a classic menswear garment for over 100 years, we wanted to explore new design features on our structured polo shirts to improve its versatility even further. On our Slate Grey and Cerulean Blue polo shirts, we have added two unique features: the first is a piece of special micro-fibre cloth (shown in white in the image below) sewn under the hem - this cloth can be used to clean (sun)glasses or a mobile phone screen.
The second innovation is a concealed rubber 'grip' on the inside of the placket. Hidden under a piece of fabric between the second and third buttons is a piece of rubber elastic resistant to wear and washing. The arm of folded glasses or sunglasses passes through the rubber grip with the result that they are held firmly in place when the wearer leans forward.
These novel features are part of our process of continuous refinement and because details matter, to you - and to us. Read more about Niccolò P. and our signature structured polo shirts here.
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The polo shirt is nearly 100 years old and there are many aspects to this classic garment which can change its suitability for different occasions. To help you in your search for the perfect polo we have created the ultimate polo shirt guide which outlines all of the key aspects of polo shirt design. So, what should you look for in the perfect polo?
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Fit is undoubtedly the most important aspect of polo shirt design. Many heritage brands still rely on patterns and shapes which are decades old and thus based on outdated body shapes. It is important to identify brands which employ a contemporary approach to fit: ideally giving a natural fit which is neither slim nor boxy (depending on your preferences of course). Other aspects to the perfect polo shirt fit include:
Sleeve length: The sleeve should be designed to reach to mid-bicep, to show just enough arm
Arm holes: The design of the arm holes is crucial to ensure a good drape to the polo. When you try on a polo shirt, ask yourself: ‘Does this fit like a favourite jacket?’ If the answer is ‘no’, you should keep looking
Placket: There are several different types of placket found on polo shirts. The highest quality version is known as the ‘set-on’ placket – it is made from a separate piece of fabric and is considerably more complicated to manufacture but it gives the shirt a more defined, classical appearance. The placket should generally come with no more than three or four buttons as this gives the ideal length so that the polo shirt looks great buttoned up or partially unbuttoned
Hem split: The best polo shirts will have a split (generally no more than an inch) given to the hem to help ensure an even fit around the waist. There should be no extended/tennis tail as these are better suited to sports polos
The hallmark of all high-quality shirts and polo shirts. Unfortunately, many name brand polos now use plastic or imitation mother-of-pearl buttons – neither has the same iridescence or longevity of genuine mother-of-pearl. The very best mother-of-pearl buttons are sourced from the Australian species Pinctada Maxima (known as the largest and rarest pearl oysters). These buttons can be dyed to match specific Pantone colour references so that they match the body of the shirt.
Choosing the right weight of fabric for any garment is part art/part science. There are several factors to take into account such as the knit or weave of the fabric (including how open or closed it is) and during which season(s) the shirt will be worn.
For piqué knits, a fabric weight of 200-220 grams per square metre is perfect for wear from Spring through Autumn. For jersey knits, a slighter lighter weight (around 170-190 grams per square metre) is recommended. If a brand does not list the cotton weight used it may very well be that they are using a lighter (read: cheaper) fabric.
The very best polo shirts are sewn using a flat felled seam. Although this adds considerable expense, it makes the garment more durable and less likely to lose its shape. It also makes the inside of the polo neater and, we believe, more comfortable to wear. So well made, in fact, that it could almost be worn inside out.
Mercerisation is a treatment that gives fabric (or yarn) a bright, lustrous appearance while also strengthening it and improving colour-fastness. For these reasons, you should choose mercerised where possible – this will generally only be found on higher quality polos.
A stand collar gives shape and height to a polo shirt collar meaning it doesn't sit flat around the neck/collar bone area. For this reason, if you plan to wear your polo under tailoring (and many do), you should ensure you buy a polo shirt with a stand collar.
A key problem with many polo shirts are collars which curl (the so-called 'bacon curl' effect which looks unkempt even if you aren't) and remain difficult to iron through the life of the shirt. This can be avoided by choosing a collar which has the right amount of interlining (a fabric which sits inside the collar and adds stiffness). Interlining which has been added to both sides of the collar should prevent curling at the points - although it is important that the collar is not so stiff as to feel like a formal shirt.
Whether you choose a polo shirt with a logo or not is a matter of personal preference. Logos can be embroidered in contrasting thread or, more discreetly, tone-in-tone to match the colour of the shirt. As a general rule, we prefer our clothing to have minimal or no logos at all - quality can (and usually does) speak for itself.
A tennis tail is an extended flap of fabric at the back of the polo shirt. This style is very much aimed at the sportswear market - as such, only buy if you intend to use the polo shirt for your sporting endeavours.
In this essential guide to the perfect summer polo shirt we’ve shown how many aspects to polo shirt design are important to the finished garment. Additional smaller details to look out for include buttons which have been sewn using a crow’s foot (or fleur-de-lis) stitch. This is both decorative and functional as it reduces the likelihood of the button thread unravelling during washing cycles.
At Niccolò P. we set out to make polo shirts which are more structured than most. We marry the highest quality materials in the world with bespoke-like details to give you the best of all worlds.
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Compare the flat-felled stitching with the overlock stitch (which has an unfinished appearance) found on most other polos on the market. Though the flat-felled seam takes around 5x longer to finish we chose this technique with our belief in quality and pride in real craftsmanship. The benefits include a definite improvement in comfort particularly with a cleaner fit around the arms. In addition, as the flat-felled seam is an ‘over-engineered’ stitch we can assure you that the fit and shape of our polo shirts will stay as it is, withstanding wash after wash. Because our goal is to make clothes which feel great and are destined to become a reliable staple in your wardrobe.
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Ian Fleming wrote all of the James Bond series from his Goldeneye home in Jamaica. This is where he almost certainly first became aware of Sea Island cotton (grown to a lesser extent on Jamaica than on Barbados).
Ian Fleming wrote all of the James Bond series from his Goldeneye home in Jamaica. This is where he almost certainly first became aware of Sea Island cotton (grown to a lesser extent on Jamaica than on Barbados). Coming from a wealthy background, Fleming would have been accustomed to the finer things in life and cast the Bond character to some extent on his own experiences and preferences.
The production of Sea Island cotton as a proportion of total worldwide cotton production is no more than 0.0001 per cent. A licensing system and a network of long-term partners is in place to guarantee the purity of the cotton. A special hologram is included with every Sea Island garment as a guarantee of the 100 per cent. authenticity of the cotton used.
Try for yourself the experience of Sea Island luxury. Discover the Niccolò P. Sea Island Collection here.
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With globalisation came increased competition on high streets everywhere. This made it more difficult for small, local brands to compete with multinationals either for same use or different (coffee shop, anyone?).
For a period from the early 90s to about five years ago, consumer choice became narrower, and certainly it was more difficult (although not impossible) to discover new, local brands at home or abroad simply because they had ceased to be (or at least vastly reduced in number). It made overseas travel a little duller. Of course, if you were travelling further afield there would always be new things to discover, but certainly European retailing became relatively homogenous, and, dare we say, less interesting.
But change has been afoot. As with, for example, the drinks industry where small independents have been thriving for a decade or more as part of a resurgent craft movement, the ‘fashion’ business has also been changing rapidly. With internet shopping ever more convenient, shopping platform technology ever better and logistics more efficient, it is now possible for someone with a good idea to bring their passion to a new audience without having to rely on old-fashioned retail routes to market. We are proud to be part of this vanguard: making bespoke-level quality items with specific colours and prints to a signature fit, and in comparatively small numbers.
And that's perhaps the best thing about the craft movement: you get to enjoy something that's not in mass circulation, something a little more individual.
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