Men's Bamboo Shirts and Polos – Elegant and Breathable
Short answer: A bamboo shirt drapes heavier than a cotton one, smooths itself out on the hanger and does not turn clammy across the back after a day in a chair. The polo does the same without a collar stand and buttons. Choose the shirt when it should look formal, the polo when it should look tidy without being stiff.
What happens over the course of a day
A shirt has to manage three things: not crease, not turn clammy and not look worn by four o'clock. Cotton fails on the first two, because the fibre absorbs the moisture but releases it slowly, and because it creases wherever it is bent. Bamboo viscose takes the moisture into the fibre and releases it into the air again, and the fabric drapes heavier, so the creases hang out by themselves. See bamboo shirt for men.
The polo
The polo is the middle ground between shirt and t-shirt: enough collar and placket to look put together, enough knit to move in. In bamboo viscose it falls down the body rather than standing away from it, and that is where most cotton polos lose, because they go shapeless. It works under a jacket and on its own, which makes it the most useful single piece in a wardrobe where the requirements change. See bamboo polos for men.
When no collar is required
If there should be no collar, a t-shirt covers most of it, and a long sleeved one does the same on cooler days without needing anything over the top. Both can be worn under a shirt or a jumper as the layer that keeps the outer one dry. See bamboo t-shirts for men and bamboo long sleeve t-shirt for men. Choose a dark colour if it should work in both places.
Fit
A shirt has to fit across the shoulder rather than the chest: if the shoulder seam sits right, the rest can be solved. The buttons should not pull, and there should be room to sit down without the trousers dragging the shirt up. Bamboo viscose gives a little, so the right size feels more comfortable than in cotton, but it does not make a shirt that is too small right. Choose your normal size.
Washing and ironing
Hang the shirt up straight after washing, while it is still slightly damp, and the fabric smooths itself out so the iron can stay in the cupboard. Wash at thirty degrees without softener, and avoid high heat in the dryer, which is the only thing that really wears the fabric. The rest of the range sits under bamboo for men, and the reduced items under offers for men.
Frequently asked questions
Do bamboo shirts need ironing
Rarely. Hang the shirt up while it is slightly damp and the fabric smooths itself out, because it drapes heavier than cotton.
Polo or shirt for the office
A shirt if one is required, a polo if not. The polo looks put together and is easier to sit in all day.
Does a bamboo shirt go see through
No more than a thin cotton one. The fabric drapes heavier, and a dark colour removes the question entirely.
See our range of bamboo shirts for men.
