Polo shirts are a versatile and classic wardrobe staple for many men. They can be worn casually or formally, depending on the occasion and the style. But with so many options for buying polos, how do you choose the best one for you? Is it worth spending more money on designer polo shirt brands, or are you better off with cheaper alternatives? In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of buying expensive designer polo shirts and help you decide if they are worth the investment. We will also compare them with cheap-brand polo shirts and give you some tips on how to look expensive without breaking the bank.
The Benefits of Buying Designer Polo Shirts Brands
Several advantages come with buying designer polo shirt brands, such as:
- Quality: Usually made from high-quality materials, such as premium cotton, merino wool, or silk. They are also crafted with more attention to detail, resulting in better stitching, fit, and durability. Designer polo shirts can last longer and resist wear and tear better than cheaper ones.
- Style: Often have more refined and elegant designs, with subtle logos, patterns, or colors. They can also follow the latest fashion trends or create their own signature styles. Designer polo shirts can make you look more sophisticated, stylish, and confident.
- Ethics: They are likely to be more ethical and environmentally friendly than cheaper ones. They tend to use organic, natural, or recycled materials and avoid harmful chemicals or dyes. They also tend to have more transparent and fair labor practices and support social causes or charities. Buying designer polo shirts can help you support ethical and sustainable fashion.
The Drawbacks of Buying Designer Polo Shirts Brands
However, buying designer polo shirts from brands also has some disadvantages, such as:
- Price: Designer polo shirts are usually much more expensive than cheaper ones. They can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars, depending on the brand, material, and design. Buying designer polo shirts can be hard to afford, especially if you want to have a variety of colors and styles. It can also create a financial burden or debt if you overspend or use credit cards.
- Comfort: Designer polo shirts may not always be comfortable to wear, depending on the material, fit, and design. Some materials may be too rigid, scratchy, or hot, while some fits may be too tight, loose, or restrictive. Some designs may also be impractical, such as having too many buttons, zippers, or collars. Buying designer polo shirts may compromise your comfort and convenience.
- Fashion: Designer polo shirts may not always be fashionable, depending on the trend, season, and occasion. Some designs may be too flashy, outdated, or boring, while some colors may be too bright, dull, or mismatched. Buying designer polo shirts may limit your fashion choices and creativity or make you look out of place or pretentious.
How to Tell If a Polo Shirt is High Quality
If you want to buy a high-quality polo shirt, whether designer or cheap, there are some things you can look for to help determine its authenticity and durability. Here are some tips on how to tell if a polo shirt is high quality:
- Check the construction: A high-quality polo shirt should have neat and even stitching, with no loose threads or gaps. The seams should be flat and smooth, and the hem should be straight and consistent. The buttons should be securely attached, and the buttonholes should be cleanly finished. The collar should be firm and crisp, and the placket should be well-aligned and reinforced.
- Check the material quality: A high-quality polo shirt should be made from natural or blended fabrics, such as cotton, wool, or silk. These fabrics are breathable, soft, and durable, and they can resist wrinkles and shrinkage. Synthetic fabrics, such as polyester or rayon, are cheaper and less comfortable and can fade, pill, or stretch over time. You can also check the weight and density of the fabric by holding it up to the light or feeling it between your fingers. A high-quality polo shirt should have a substantial and smooth feel, and not be too thin or transparent.
- Wash the polo shirt: A high-quality polo shirt should be able to withstand multiple washes without losing its shape, color, or quality. You can follow the care instructions on the label, or wash it in cold water and hang it to dry. A high-quality polo shirt should not shrink, wrinkle, or fade after washing, and the stitching and buttons should remain intact. If the polo shirt shows signs of wear and tear after washing, such as pilling, fraying, or bleeding, it is likely a low-quality polo shirt.
- Check the polo shirt after printing: If you want to customize your polo shirt with a logo, text, or image, you should check the quality of the printing as well. A high-quality polo shirt should have clear and crisp printing with no smudges, cracks, or peeling. The printing should also be durable, resistant to washing, and not fade or flake over time. You can also check the quality of the printing by rubbing it gently with your finger or a damp cloth. A high-quality polo shirt should have smooth and soft printing and not feel rough or sticky.
The Benefits of Buying Cheap-Brand Polo Shirts
On the other hand, buying cheap-brand polo shirts also has some benefits, such as:
- Affordability: Cheap-brand polo shirts are usually much more affordable than designer ones. They can cost as little as a few dollars, depending on the brand, material, and design. Buying cheap-brand polo shirts can save you money, especially if you want to have a lot of colors and styles. It can also help you avoid financial stress or debt if you stick to your budget or use cash .
- Variety: Cheap-brand polo shirts often have more variety than designer ones. They can offer a wide range of colors, patterns, and styles, depending on the brand, material, and design. Buying cheap-brand polo shirts can give you more options and flexibility with your clothing. It can also help you express your personality and creativity, or match your mood or occasion .
- Customization: Cheap-brand polo shirts are more likely to be customizable than designer ones. They can allow you to choose your own fit, logo, or size, depending on the brand, material, and design. Buying cheap-brand polo shirts can help you personalize your clothing, especially if you order online or use social media influencers. It can also help you stand out from the crowd or make a statement.
The Drawbacks of Buying Cheap-Brand Polo Shirts
However, buying cheap-brand polo shirts also has some drawbacks, such as:
- Quality: Cheap-brand polo shirts are usually made from low-quality materials, such as synthetic, polyester, or rayon. They are also made with less attention to detail, resulting in poor stitching, fit, and durability. Cheap-brand polo shirts can wear out faster and lose their shape and color sooner than designer ones .
- Style: Cheap-brand polo shirts often have less refined and elegant designs, with obvious logos, patterns, or colors. They can also lag behind the latest fashion trends, or copy them poorly. Cheap-brand polo shirts can make you look cheap, tacky, or unoriginal .
- Ethics: Cheap-brand polo shirts are more likely to be unethical and environmentally harmful than designer ones. They tend to use non-organic, artificial, or wasteful materials, and use harmful chemicals or dyes. They also tend to have less transparent and fair labor practices, and exploit workers or animals. Buying cheap-brand polo shirts can harm the environment and society.
Should You Buy Expensive or Cheap?
If you are looking for some of the popular designer polo shirt brands and cheap polo shirt brands to buy, here are some suggestions based on the web search results:
- Designer polo shirt brands: Some of the most popular and reputable designer polo shirt brands are Lacoste, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Burberry, Gucci, and Hugo Boss. These brands offer high-quality, stylish, and ethical polo shirts, but they also come with a high price tag. You can buy these brands from their official websites, online retailers, or physical stores.
- Budget-friendly designer polo shirt brands: Budget-friendly polo shirt brands are Giordano, H&M, Uniqlo, Huckberry, JCrew, Bonobos, Todd Snyder, and Peter Millar. These brands offer decent quality, style, and variety, but they may not have the same level of prestige, durability, or ethics as the expensive designer ones. You can buy these brands from their official websites, online retailers, or physical stores.
- Cheap polo shirt brands: Affordable and reliable cheap polo shirt brands are Hanes, Jerzees, Gildan, Amazon Essentials, and Dickies. These brands offer low-cost, versatile, and customizable polo shirts, but they also have lower quality, style, and ethics. You can buy these brands from online platforms, such as Amazon, Walmart, or eBay, or from local shops or outlets.
Find the polo shirts that suit your lifestyle
Buying polo shirts, whether designer or cheap, has its pros and cons, and the decision ultimately depends on your personal preference, budget, and lifestyle. If you value quality, style, and ethics, and can afford to spend more money on your clothing, then buying designer polo shirts may be worth it for you. However, if you value affordability, variety, and customization, and want to have more options and flexibility with your clothing, then buying cheap-brand polo shirts may be a better option for you.
There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to buying polo shirts, as long as you are happy and comfortable with your choice. The most important thing is to find the polo shirts that suit your taste, personality, and needs, and enjoy wearing them.
