Everyone needs to wear the appropriate warm weather clothing, and there are a variety of shirt styles and options available. Of course, it's important to focus on the right material, such as cotton, polyester, or a blend of both.

We understand that it can sometimes be a challenge to research the various men's short sleeve polos out there, so we’ve focused on five cotton polyester shirts to help you see what each of them offers. That way, you can make a more informed decision.

Men's Cotton Polyester Shirts Comparison Chart

Men's Short Sleeve Polo Shirt Reviews

1. Lee Uniforms Modern Fit Men’s Short Sleeve Polo 

Lee Uniforms is a brand of the VF Corporation and is designed to complement school uniform brands. Its goal is to help teams shine by wearing comfortable, professional workwear.

It offers polo shirt styles for men and women and focuses primarily on fit. Although Lee Uniforms is one of the lesser-known brands, we chose to include it because it looks stylish and fits in well with the younger generation.

Product Highlights

The Lee Uniforms Men’s Modern Fit Short Sleeve Polo Shirt uses a blend of 60% cotton and 40% polyester, which ensures it can be machined washed and dried. Of course, you can wear it as casual wear or to work because the polo style is considered men's business casual attire.

You also get the Lee brand quality guarantee, so you’re sure the product is durable. Plus, each of the shirts is crafted carefully to ensure that it moves with you regardless of what you do. If that weren’t enough, you get a consistent fit, which means it’s tailored yet relaxed.

The color range is also impressive. Choose from 12 different color options so that you can find something that goes with any outfit.

What We Like

Most brands want to show themselves off, which means the logo is visible. However, Lee didn’t do that with this shirt. That way, you can wear it to work without feeling like a walking advertisement.

What We Don’t Like

We didn’t think that this was a classic polo shirt because tucking it into the pants is not necessary. This product is a bit longer than normal, so it can look a little frumpy if left untucked.

Pros:

• Slim fit
• Soft feel
• Loose and comfortable
• Little to no shrinkage
• Multiple polo shirt colors and sizes available

Cons:

• Can be tricky to pick the right size
• Buttonholes can unravel
• Longer than initially thought
• Sleeves a bit shorter than expected

2. Jerzees Men’s Spot Shield Short Sleeve Polo Shirt

Jerzees brand shirts are manufactured by Fruit of the Loom, which is an American clothing company. It sells products for men, women, and children, including t-shirts, undergarments, jeans, and casual wear.

Product Highlights

The Jerzees Men’s Spot Shield Short Sleeve Polo Shirt offers a blended material with 50% cotton and 50% polyester. It’s designed to be pulled on over the head, though it does have two buttons at the neckline.

This product can be machine washed and dried, so maintenance is minimal. Along with such, it has a stain-resistant finish, so it’s less likely to get dirty. The spot shield technology can repel oil-based products and water.

All polo shirts have collars, but this one is designed to resist curling. That way, it sits flush with the rest of the fabric and always looks crisp.

What We Like

We loved the idea of stain-resistant polo shirts. How often have you gone out to eat for lunch and returned to work with a stain you can't hide? You can worry a little less with spot-shield technology.

What We Don’t Like

While it’s not a significant concern, we didn’t like the edging on the sleeves. They appear to be a close-knit ribbing, but it’s thin. Plus, it seems to make the sleeve cinched in places.

Pros:

• Pre-shrunk material
• Variety of colors and sizes
• Machine washable and dryable
• Stain resistant polo shirts Spot-shield technology
• Collar resists curling

Cons:

• Sleeve style doesn’t fit with the rest of the shirt
• Sizing can be off
• Lighter than other brands
• Stain resistance for only certain things

3. IZOD Big and Tall Men’s Short Sleeve Polo Shirt

PVH Corp. is a lifestyle and fashion company well-known for its innovative styles. It includes a variety of iconic brands, including Calvin Klein, Arrow, Van Heusen, and IZOD. The company offers many apparel options, including sportswear, dress-casual clothes, and footwear.

You’ll find the IZOD brand in a variety of mid-range department stores and some high-end shops. With that said, it sells its items on its website and third-party e-commerce sites, as well.

Product Highlights

IZOD Men’s Big and Tall Advantage Performance Short Sleeve Polo Shirt is one of many cotton-poly shirts we chose to review because its design is for larger men. This gives them the benefit of wearing a stylish polo-style shirt and looking their best.

You’ll find a variety of colors, including heather styles. It’s a blended product, which means it’s made of 60% cotton and 40% polyester.

It has moisture-wicking properties, which helps to pull away wetness from your body so you can stay cool and dry. It also comes with UPF-15 sun control, allowing you to be out in the sun without getting sunburned through your shirt.

What We Like

There were so many things to like about this product. For one, the moisture-wicking properties were amazing. If you’ve never worn a men's polo shirt with this technology, you’re missing out!

Of course, we also liked the stretch shoulder seam, which will move with you, as well as the sun control feature.

What We Don’t Like

Unfortunately, the size chart that's easily attainable online isn’t quite on the mark. While the shirt seems to fit in the chest, waist, and sleeves, it tends to be a little tighter in the neck and shoulders. It might not be a significant problem, but it's something to consider.

Pros:

• Machine washable polo shirt
• Protects you from UV rays
• Stretch shoulder seam
• Breathable
• Dries quickly
• Roll-resistant collar

Cons:

• Sizing is a bit off
• Limited colors available
• Designed only for big-and-tall men
• Feels "heavy"
• Might shrink slightly

4. Comfortably Collared Short Sleeve Men’s Slim Fit Polo Shirts

Comfortably Collared is a small company that has recently come on the market. The founder disliked wearing dress shirts which bunched up or became untucked. Of course, you can find a variety of products, such as hybrid shirts, sweaters, and polo.

Since the brand is so new, it currently sells its products through third-party e-commerce sites. Amazon is the primary seller at this time.

Product Highlights

If you’re looking for something that’s form-fitting and can move with you, this is the shirt for you. The Comfortably Collared Slim Fit Polo Shirt uses a superior cotton-poly blend custom formulated for the brand. It also includes a bit of spandex for moisture-wicking capabilities, wrinkle resistance, and durability.

The product is designed to fit your athletic or slim build and uses the V-shape to reduce excess fabric at the waist. Therefore, you can wear it untucked or tucked.

Care for this shirt is easy. You don’t need to iron it because of its wrinkle resistance technology. 

What We Like

While there were many things to enjoy about this shirt, we were impressed that it offered such a slim fit without being too tight or restrictive. We believe the spandex addition to the material list played a part here, but it’s nice to have something so comfortable that fits well.

What We Don’t Like

This shirt must be lightweight and comfortable, but we were a little concerned here. The lightness of the shirt means that the nipples might show, which could become embarrassing at work.

Pros:

• Slim fit
• Variety of colors
• Breathable
• Wrinkle resistance
• Soft

Cons:

• Tricky to find the right size
• Might show off nipples

5. U.S. Polo Assn. Ultimate Men's Pique Polo

U.S. Polo Assn. is an official brand for the USPA (United States Polo Association). It’s been around since 1890 and is one of the most popular clothing items to date.

Product Highlights

The U.S. Polo Assn. Men's Ultimate Pique Polo is a machine washable product, but you can expect some shrinkage. The manufacturer used a stretchable, bio-washed honeycomb pique fabric, which also offers UV protection. It also has a button closure and anti-roll collars.

As it’s from the official polo brand, it has the embroidered logo with which we’re all familiar. It’s unobtrusive, though, and the shirt comes in a variety of colors.

What We Like

We liked that the shirt has UV protection, which helps prevent sunburn during the summer season. We also love that there are many colors available. You’ll find it easy to match them with a variety of slacks and casual pants.

What We Don’t Like

One issue we found was that the sizing was very off. You need to purchase at least a size bigger than your normal size. Nonetheless, the size is okay if you're into baggy clothes. Another problem is that although it stated that its machine washable, you need to use a gentle cycle to prevent thread removal.

Pros:

• No ironing needed
• Machine washable
• No shrinking
• Multiple colors and sizes available
• Breathable
• Quick dry
• UV protection shirt

Cons:

• Some color fading
• Sizing is a challenge
• Threads might come off after washing

Buyer’s Guide

There was a time in the past where men could pull anything off the rack in their normal size, and it would fit well. However, with so many new manufacturers on the market and quality sliding, it’s become more of a challenge. Now, people have to pay close attention to branding and fit.

As such, we have come up with a buyer’s guide to help you choose the most appropriate shirts. Of course, you have to determine the best options for your needs, and we'll explain everything thoroughly to help you out.

1. Types of Shirt Material

The most common shirt material types include polyester, cotton, and a blend of the two. While 100% cotton can be breathable, soft, and non-clingy, it's likely to shrink a lot. It’s also prone to wrinkling, staining, and absorbing or holding moisture.

You might consider 100% polyester shirts if you want something durable, lightweight, and resistant to wrinkling or fading. They also work well in wicking away moisture. Do note though that this fabric is less breathable and can sometimes irritate your skin.

On the other hand, a cotton blend material (60-40 or 50-50) gives you the best of both worlds. The fabric is softer, less likely to wrinkle or stain, and wicks away moisture while being breathable.

2. Wear

All the shirts we chose to review today were polo, so we thought it was best to explain the proper fit of such garments. The sleeves should be slightly fitted and reach to the middle of the upper arm between the elbows and shoulders.

It should also fit slimly without feeling tight or snug. There might be a little give at the waist, but the shirt should not hang from your frame.

You can tuck or untuck the shirt, so it really depends on your preference and the situation. If you’re wearing the polo with shorts, it’s best to go untucked, and if you’re wearing them with chinos or slacks, they might look better tucked into your pants.

3. Collars

Every polo shirt comes with a collar, as that is the primary "look" and "style" of the shirt, but most of them end up curling with time. You can find products that promise not to curl after washing, but it’s still likely to occur. As such, you can find collars stitched about a centimeter away from the edge, and this can help to reduce the curl factor.

Final Verdict

We found that all five polyester cotton blend polo shirts looked similar and did their job, for the most part. With that in mind, the Comfortably Collared Perfect Slim Fit Short Sleeve Polo Shirts for men outdid all the rest.

It was impressive that the manufacturer chose to add a bit of spandex to make the item a little stretchy where it needed to be. You’ll find a variety of colors and might want to get one in a few of the color shades available. Plus, it’s better to get something form-fitting without being too tight.