Polo shirts are pique knit cotton or polyester blend with a collared button placket. Several styles include contrast panel detailing, and UV-rated or moisture-wicking fabric options suit outdoor and active wear. School shirts are the formal button-front option for uniform programmes. Tee shirts cover the broadest colour range. Standard cotton tees come in up to 22 colours, relaxed surf tees in cotton jersey, and stretch cotton tees with a spandex blend for a closer fit. Sizes run from 4 to 14 across most styles. Screen printing and full colour transfers work on all shirt types, and embroidery suits polo and school shirts where a stitched finish is part of the uniform specification.
Schools ordering for uniform use want shirts that fit the full size range, come in the right colours, and hold up to a full term of wear and washing without losing their shape or fading noticeably. Cotton-polyester polo blends are the most common fabric specification for that kind of high-use, ongoing school uniform programme that runs throughout the whole year.
The stretch cotton tee adds a spandex component that gives a closer fit and better range of motion than a standard cotton tee, which is worth noting for active-use and school sport orders.
Key Facts
What is the difference between a polo shirt and a school shirt?
A polo shirt has a pique collar and a short button placket, the standard for school sports uniforms and club kit. A school shirt has a full woven collar and full-length button front, suited to formal programmes where more structure is required.
What fabric suits active outdoor use?
Polyester and polyester-blend polo shirts with moisture-wicking or UV-rated fabric suit active outdoor use best. Cotton tees and cotton-blend polos suit everyday wear and moderate activity but aren't specifically engineered for sun exposure or sweat management.
Can tee shirts be embroidered?
Embroidery works best on polo and school shirts where the fabric has enough structure to hold the stitching cleanly. Tee shirts are generally screen printed or printed with full colour transfers, as the lighter fabric makes clean embroidery more difficult.
What colour options does the cotton tee come in?
The standard cotton tee comes in up to 22 colour options, making it the most flexible for colour-matching to school or club palettes. Polo shirts have a narrower colour range but contrast panel options introduce a second colour without an extra branding cost.
