The short answer: tee for ease, polo for a little more polish
Polo or tee? Wear a tee when you want to be relaxed, and a polo when the day asks for something a step neater, such as a lunch, a casual office or a meeting with people you have not met. The polo has a collar and usually a slightly firmer fabric, so it reads as more put together. Neither is better. Polo or tee, they answer different moods.
Most people already own tees, and they are probably fine. The polo is the piece that closes the gap between a tee and a shirt without asking you to iron anything. This polo or tee guide explains when each one earns its place, using the actual pieces we make.
Polo or tee: what is actually different
A polo is a knit shirt with a collar and a short placket at the front, often with two or three buttons. A tee is a plain knit with a rounded or V neckline and no collar. Both are knitted, so both are comfortable. The differences come down to three things.
- The collar. A collar frames your face and neck, which is why a polo looks more deliberate. A tee neckline does the opposite, and reads as casual.
- The fabric. Polos are often made in piqué, a knit with a small textured pattern that feels firmer and holds its shape. Tees are usually made in a flat jersey, which is smoother and softer.
- The hem and cuff. Polos usually have ribbed cuffs on the sleeves, which keeps the sleeve tidy. Tees vary. Our label-reading guide explains rib and piqué if the words are new.
Our polos
We make two polos, and they differ in character.
The CORE Piqué Polo is a 220 GSM cotton piqué polo with a structured ribbed collar and cuffs, in a regular fit. It is ₹999, in Noor Black, Rui White, Agni Red or Neel Blue. It is the plain-spoken one: the shape and the collar do the work.
The SIGNATURE Polo is from our Layers house, ₹999, in Noor Black or Rui White. It carries the EKVAAR horse emblem embroidered on the chest, and it is made to hold its shape through long days. Pick this one if you like a small mark of identity on a clean polo.
Our tees
For plain everyday tees, three are worth knowing.
- The CORE Crew Tee is 180 GSM cotton in a unisex regular fit, ₹749, in all six of our colours.
- The DAILY Tee is the lighter, simpler one at ₹649, in Rui White, Noor Black, Neel Blue or Agni Red. Its description says it asks for nothing, a light, soft crew neck that goes with everything.
- The CORE Supima Tee is a premium crew neck in long-staple Supima cotton, smooth and soft, and made to hold its shape wash after wash. It is ₹999, in Neel Blue, Noor Black or Rui White.
In the polo or tee debate, the Supima Tee is the bridge between the two worlds. It is a tee, but the smoother, denser feel makes it look more finished than a standard jersey, so it can stand in for a polo when you want no collar.
Polo or tee, occasion by occasion
| Situation | Reach for | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Weekend errands, home | CORE Crew Tee or DAILY Tee | Soft, easy, no effort |
| Casual office, client lunch | CORE Piqué Polo | Collar and structure, no ironing |
| Dinner, a first meeting | SIGNATURE Polo or CORE Supima Tee | Neat, with a quiet detail |
| Long commute, hot day | CORE Crew Tee | Lighter at 180 GSM than the 220 GSM polo |
| Layering under a jacket | Either, with a plain colour | A polo collar sits under a jacket neatly |
Polo or tee for weight and weather
The CORE Piqué Polo is 220 GSM and the CORE Crew Tee is 180 GSM. GSM is grams per square metre, so the polo has a little more fabric in it. That is why it feels firmer and holds its shape, and also why the tee is a touch cooler on a very hot day. If you spend most of your time outside in the heat, the polo or tee question answers itself: the tee wins. If you spend it in an air-conditioned room, the polo is more comfortable and looks sharper. Our note on a 12-piece capsule wardrobe shows where each sits in a wider set.
Colour choices that work
Our six colours are Noor Black, Rui White, Agni Red, Neel Blue, Arav Green and Gulabi Pink. Not every piece comes in all six, so check each page. A few pairings that work whether you pick a polo or tee:
- Neel Blue polo with Rui White trousers or shorts. Clean and calm.
- Noor Black polo with anything. It is the easiest polo to wear again and again.
- Agni Red polo with Noor Black bottoms. Let one strong colour carry the outfit.
- Rui White tee under an open shirt. The tee shows just enough at the neck.
Fit points to check
A polo should sit at the shoulder seam, and the collar should lie flat rather than curl. The sleeve should end around the middle of your upper arm, and the body should not cling. Both of our polos are cut in a regular fit, so they sit close but not tight. If you are between sizes, the usual advice is to size up for a relaxed look and stay true to size for a neat one. Use the size guide on the product page to confirm.
Caring for each so they last
A polo collar is the part that shows age first, so wash it gently. Turn the polo inside out, use cool water and a mild wash, and dry it flat or in shade rather than in strong heat. Whether you wear a polo or tee, heat is what tends to curl a collar and shrink a knit. Tees are more forgiving, but the same habits help them keep their shape and colour. Our guide on why clothes shrink, fade and bobble explains the reasons behind each step.
It also helps to fold a polo rather than hang it on a thin hanger for months, since a narrow hanger can leave marks on the shoulders. A tee can go either way. The point is to give the cloth what it needs so that the polo you buy this year still looks right next year.
A small rule to remember
If you are unsure about polo or tee, ask what you would be comfortable sitting in for four hours. If the answer is a tee, wear the tee. If you would like to look a little more finished without changing anything else, swap it for a polo. That is the whole idea. It is a small step, not a different wardrobe.
Polo or tee, every piece is made to order in India, made for you once you reserve it, and ships free across India.
FAQs
Is a polo dressier than a tee?
Yes, usually. The collar and firmer knit make a polo look more put together, so it suits casual offices and lunches better than a basic tee.
Can I wear a polo to a casual office?
In most casual offices, yes. A plain polo in Noor Black, Rui White or Neel Blue is a safe choice, but it is always worth checking your workplace norms.
What is piqué?
Piqué is a knit with a small textured pattern, which makes the fabric feel a bit firmer and helps it keep its shape. Our CORE Piqué Polo uses it in 220 GSM cotton.
Polo or tee: which is cooler in summer?
A lighter tee, such as our 180 GSM CORE Crew Tee, generally feels cooler than a 220 GSM polo. In air-conditioned rooms the polo is often more comfortable.
Still deciding polo or tee? Have a look in the shop.
