Ordering workwear for a team is the easy part. The tricky bit is everyone's size. Half the team says “Large, I think,” one person has no idea, and someone is off on leave. It's Friday, so here's a simple way to get it sorted over the weekend, with no tape measure and no fuss.
Why It's Worth Five Minutes
Once your logo has been embroidered or printed on a garment, it's done. Getting the size right first time means nobody ends up with something that doesn't fit, and you don't have to sort it out afterwards. A little checking up front makes the whole order smoother.
Step 1: Measure A Favourite Garment
The easiest method is to ask each person to pick a polo or T-shirt they already like the fit of. Lay it flat on a table and measure straight across the chest, from armpit to armpit. That “flat width” is how manufacturers publish most of their size charts.
For example, our Workwear Polo Shirt 1 is published at roughly 49cm across the chest for a Small, 53cm for a Medium, 57cm for a Large, 61cm for an XL and 65cm for a 2XL, give or take 2cm. So a favourite polo that measures 57cm across when laid flat is a Large. Charts differ between garments, so the figures for each one are worth a quick look when you order.
Step 2: Regular Or Fitted?
Some of your team may prefer a closer cut. Our regular Workwear Polo Shirt 1 runs from XS to 6XL, and we also have a Workwear Polo Shirt 2 (Fitted) in XS to 4XL. Both take embroidery or a printed logo, so it's fine to mix them in one order if you'd like to give people a choice.
Step 3: Think About What Goes Underneath
A polo worn on its own is one thing. A hoodie or a fleece that goes over a shirt and perhaps a thermal is another. If someone will be layering up outdoors, they'll often be more comfortable going a size up on the outer layer. Our hoodie comes in XS to 5XL, and our T-shirts in S to 5XL, with kids' sizes in the T-shirt range too.
Step 4: Make A Simple List
Keep it plain. One line per person with their name, what they want, their size and their colour:
- Name. It helps if you want to match garments to people, and it keeps you honest about who's included.
- Garment. Polo, T-shirt, hoodie, fleece or whatever you're ordering.
- Size. From the flat measurement, or from a size they know fits.
- Colour. One or two colours across the team looks smart and keeps things simple.
If anyone isn't sure, a quick message to them with “measure a favourite polo flat and tell me the number” usually does the trick.
Mixed Sizes Still Count Towards Your Discount
You don't need to worry that a mix of sizes will stop you reaching a discount. Volume discounts count every garment and every size together: 5% off from 10 items, 10% off from 25 and 15% off from 50. A free trade account takes a further 10% off.
New Starters And Reorders
Teams change. We store your logo and files for reorders at no charge, and digitising your logo for embroidery is free, so adding a new starter later is simple. Not sure your logo file is ready? Our guide to getting your logo ready shows what we can use.
A Ten-Minute Weekend Checklist
- Ask the team to measure a favourite garment laid flat across the chest.
- Decide regular or fitted for each person.
- Add a size up for anyone layering a hoodie or fleece over other clothes.
- Write the list: name, garment, size, colour.
- Find your logo file, and send it all to us on Monday.
Ready When You Are
Send us your list and your logo through the contact page and we'll send you a free quote. There's no minimum order and no set-up fee. We say most jobs are ready in 48 hours. Postage and packaging is extra, or you can collect from our workshop in Ramsgate.
Questions
How do I find out my size for a polo shirt?
Lay a polo you already like flat and measure straight across the chest, from armpit to armpit. Compare that flat width with the size chart. For example, our Workwear Polo Shirt 1 is published at about 53cm across for a Medium and 57cm for a Large, give or take 2cm.
What if someone is between two sizes?
Think about how they'll wear it. If it's a hoodie or fleece that goes over other layers, the bigger size is usually the comfortable choice. For a polo worn on its own, the smaller may suit better. If you're unsure, tell us and we'll talk it through.
Do you do a more fitted polo?
Yes. Alongside our regular Workwear Polo Shirt 1, which runs from XS to 6XL, we have a Workwear Polo Shirt 2 (Fitted) in XS to 4XL. Both can be embroidered or printed with your logo.
What sizes do your hoodies and T-shirts come in?
Our workwear hoodie comes in XS to 5XL and our Workwear T-Shirts in S to 5XL. We also have kids' sizes in the T-shirt range.
Do mixed sizes count towards the volume discount?
Yes. Different garments and sizes all count towards the same total, so a mixed-size team order reaches the next discount tier just as quickly as one size would.
Can I add a new starter later?
Yes. We store your logo and files for reorders at no charge, so adding a new member of the team later doesn't mean starting again.