Polos Not Right for Your Team? 5 Swaps Our Clients Make

Polo shirts are one of our best-selling apparel items. Most brands love ordering and stocking polo shirts for their teams to use as uniforms. But it isn’t right for every team, and I’ve noticed more clients asking what else is out there. Other clients are worried that polo shirts are too hot or too formal or not professional enough. In this blog, we’ll share with you 5 alternatives if you think polo shirts are not for your team.

Why teams move away from polos

We’ve been supplying uniforms to different clubs, corporate teams, and hospitality teams across Australia. What I noticed is not all of them order polo shirts. When we asked them, here are the reasons they mentioned:

• Staff find them uncomfortable in hot or humid weather.
• They look too casual for client-facing professional roles.
• They look too corporate for creative, tech or hospitality teams.
• They don’t meet safety requirements for trade and warehouse work.
• Staff wear their own layers over them, hiding the logo.

5 Alternatives To Try

1. Premium crew tee

Heavier cotton tees in good cuts look intentional rather than cheap. It suits cafes, studios, shops, and any team on their feet all day.

• Choose a heavier fabric so it holds its shape.
• Screen print or embroider the chest logo
• Stick to one or two brand colours across the team.

2. Business shirts

For teams who meet clients regularly, a collared button-up shirt is a step up from a polo without the full suit.

• Easy-care blends save staff from ironing.
• A small embroidered logo on the chest looks professional.
• Offer both short and long sleeves for the hotter months.

3. Quarter-zip pullovers

This is a popular swap for office and sales teams. It sits over a shirt or tee and creates a smart-casual look that works in meetings.

• Ideal for air-conditioned offices and southern winters
• Embroidery works especially well on this fabric.
• Pairs nicely with a tee underneath for a two-piece uniform.

4. Softshell or puffer vests

Vests are a smart option when staff already have their own clothes, and you need a branded layer on top. Charles Liu, our co-founder, loves vests because you can easily layer them on top of your current outfit. He thinks these are perfect for trade shows.

• Good for events, field sales and outdoor staff
• Easy fit across a wide range of body types
• Logo on the chest and a larger print across the back

5. Sweaters or hoodies

For tech teams and casual workplaces, a quality hoodie is often the most-worn uniform piece. A comfy hoodie is one of my own favourites from our range. It’s perfect for long workdays, chilly evenings, and those “just one more episode” K-drama nights that somehow turn into three.

• Choose a quality fleece so it lasts beyond the first few washes.
• Tone-on-tone embroidery looks subtle and premium.
• Works well as a welcome pack item for new starters

Before you swap

Mark Tyssen, Business Development Manager, suggests that before you order one of these options, make sure to check these details:

• Order sample sizes and let a few staff wear them for a full shift
• Run a wash test before placing the full order.
• Think about the climate where your team works, not just head office.
• Ask staff what they’d actually wear, not just what management prefers (Every department might prefer different styles or items because of the nature of their jobs).
• Allow time for sign-off so the order isn’t rushed.

If your current polos are sitting in drawers, that’s a good sign it’s time to look at alternatives. Tell us about your team, where they work and what they do day to day, and we can suggest the swap that suits them best. If you need more ideas on what apparel items other brands in Australia are ordering, you may check our Branded Apparel Case Studies.