The knitted polo shirt
To be released in April 2026
To develop this first generation, we started with the same organic cotton yarn that we use for our textured sweater.
We use organic cotton because so-called “conventional” cotton is a disaster for insects, birds, and farmers. Read more in this article.
We chose a pearl stitch pattern, which gives the fabric a beautiful textured look. This makes the polo shirt heavier than a classic version (about 350 g for a size M).
This polo shirt is made in Portugal at the Elmate factory, with which we have been working since 2018.
Techniques That Ensure Quality
Double-twisted
The threads are twisted together (like a cable) before being knitted, for greater durability.
Double-twisted
Knit as tightly as possible
Spandex reinforcement
Pre-wash
Knit as tightly as possible
The stitches are knit as tightly as possible. This uses more yarn and is therefore more expensive, but it helps prevent pilling and gives the fabric more structure.
Double-twisted
Knit as tightly as possible
Spandex reinforcement
Pre-wash
Renfort élasthanne
Four spandex threads are inserted at the cuffs and hem to minimize stretching over time.
Double-twisted
Knit as tightly as possible
Spandex reinforcement
Pre-wash
Pre-wash
This polo shirt has been stabilized and pre-washed at the factory to prevent it from shrinking at home (with cotton garments, most of the shrinking occurs during the first wash).
Double-twisted
Knit as tightly as possible
Spandex reinforcement
Pre-wash
Effortless Class
Because of its intricate knit and tailored cut, all you need to do is pair this polo shirt with a nice pair of pants to make your elegance look effortless. The Italians call this effortless class “sprezzatura.” Salute!
In detail
Bead stitch
A naturally stretchy stitch that adds texture to the fabric.
Ribbed ends
1x1 ribbing (one knit stitch, one purl stitch) to cinch the bottom and the sleeve cuffs.
Milano collar
The collar is knitted in a particularly dense Milano stitch to ensure it stays securely in place.
"Decrease" Knitting
Also known as "fully fashioned": the panels (back, front, sleeves, and collar) are knitted directly into the correct shape to avoid wasting yarn.
Offset shoulder line
The shoulder seam extends slightly toward the back: this makes it less noticeable and helps the polo shirt fit more neatly.
Thick buttons
Matching in color and securely attached with a cross-stitch (with a spare one sewn onto the care label).
How to Wear It
A few ideas if you're stuck
Composition
100% cotton
Origin and Certifications
Cotton: India
; Spinning, knitting, and garment manufacturing: Portugal
...manufactured in Portugal rather than in France?
Of course, manufacturing in Portugal allows us to sell at lower prices. But it’s also easier to produce high-quality products there: in the 1980s, when France outsourced its manufacturing, Portugal strengthened its own. That said, other companies besides ours manage to make very good knit polo shirts made in France, such as Nitto.
How This Product Will Age
How do we know this? We ask our customers for their feedback on the product one year after purchase. And if the product is less than a year old, we provide our predictions based on some unsolicited feedback and our experience with similar products.
Unlike a wool version, it won’t shrink in the washing machine, pill, or develop holes.
On the other hand (precisely because it’s made of cotton), it will tend to stretch out with wear (and shrink back slightly after machine washing), and the colors will fade over the years.
We chose a durable knit stitch, but the textured pattern still carries a slight risk of snagging (fortunately, this is easy to mend).
Care Instructions
Wash inside out to prevent snags and minimize fading.
Dry flat: Your damp polo shirt is heavy and could lose its shape on a hanger.
Reviews of this product
The standard practice is to send review request emails a few days after the purchase. We wait a month—the minimum amount of time needed to form an informed opinion.
Customer Review Policy
When do you ask customers for reviews?
We’ll send you a review request one month after we receive your order. We believe this is the minimum amount of time needed to have worn and washed an item several times and to form a truly informed opinion. After that, all your reviews are published within a week, whether they’re positive or negative.
Do you request reviews for 100% of the products ordered by customers?
We used to do that at first, but then we realized we were starting to send way too many emails to certain customers who shop with us regularly. In short, we were spamming them a bit. Plus, it was starting to take the team way too much time to respond to reviews—since we want to reply individually and privately to almost everyone who leaves us a review. Today, we no longer ask for reviews on products that meet the following two criteria: 1/ There are enough reviews posted on the site for potential buyers to form an informed opinion about the product. 2/ We on the Loom team have read enough reviews to understand how to evolve the product into the next generation.
Just a quick thought: What proof is there that we aren't manipulating reviews by giving 5-star ratings to everything?
Honestly: nothing—we’re just giving you our word. Just like with everything else, actually: where we manufacture our products, where our wool comes from, our lab test results, and so on. The only times we might edit what you write is if your message contains spelling mistakes (and even then, quite a few slip past us) or if it’s racist, homophobic, etc. (but that’s never happened so far).
Asking for feedback after just one month isn't enough to know if the clothes are really durable, is it?
You're right—that's why we send you another email asking for a review one year after your purchase—we even ask for a photo to see how your garment has aged. We use the responses to improve our clothing and to provide information on “how this product will age” on our product pages. To avoid unnecessarily bothering our customers, we don’t ask for reviews on 100% of the products ordered: as soon as we have enough data to understand where we can improve, we stop asking for reviews after one year.