Piqué, knit, Oxford: how the fabric changes the row
Polos and shirts share one planning weight of 0.30 kg, so the fabric decides what you actually get rather than the euro price. Piqué (珠地棉, "pearl-ground cotton") has a waffle texture and holds a collar shape. Knit polos (针织) drape and stretch, Oxford cloth (牛津纺) is a heavier weave with a slight sheen, and linen creases by design. Item prices below are hypothetical, converted at LitBuy's display rate of ¥1 ≈ €0.158 (27 Oct 2026), a rate above typical bank rates.
| Type | Example price (hypothetical) | Est. weight | Check first |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piqué cotton polo (珠地棉) | ¥110 | 0.30 kg | Collar stiffness; placket length |
| Knit polo (针织) | ¥150 | 0.30 kg, a bit more if wool-blend | Stretch recovery; ribbing at hem |
| Oxford button-down (牛津纺) | ¥130 | 0.30 kg | Collar roll; neck and sleeve length |
| Linen or linen-blend shirt | ¥120 | 0.30 kg | Creasing is normal; check blend % |
| Poplin dress shirt | ¥100 | 0.30 kg | Iron-free note; cuff style |
| Short-sleeve camp collar shirt | ¥95 | 0.30 kg | Print placement; boxy cut |
| Long-sleeve polo | ¥140 | 0.30 kg | Cuff rib; sleeve length in cm |
Weights come from the 27 October 2026 fact sheet and are estimates; we weighed nothing. "Row" means one product line in a sheet. The table gives the reader the first check for each type, and the sections below cover those checks.
Choose the fabric first; the collar and cuff checks follow from it.
Collars, plackets and the details that give a row away
A polo row lives or dies on its collar. A flat, limp collar in the product photos curls after a wash; a collar with a stiff inner layer holds. Count the placket buttons (two or three), see whether the buttons sit flush, and look at the side vents. On a shirt, check the collar type (button-down, spread, camp), the cuff and the shoulder seam. If the seller gives a model photo with height and size noted, use it: "model 180 cm, size L" is worth more than the letter on the tag.
- Polo: collar stand height, placket length, hem ribbing, sleeve cuffs.
- Oxford shirt: collar roll, button thread colour, pocket position.
- Linen: blend percentage; pure linen feels dry, blends feel softer.
- Knit: pilling at the underarm in close-ups.
If the collar cannot be seen in a close-up, skip the row.
Chest, shoulder, length and sleeve in cm
Size tables for polos give chest, shoulder, length and sleeve in cm, usually flat-lay. Double the flat chest to compare it with your round chest and add ease: 4 to 8 cm is a regular cut, more for boxy. For shirts, the table may add neck circumference in cm or a European-style size, but many listings stay with letters, so measure a shirt you own. In German the words are "Poloshirt" and "Hemd"; the rows are the same, and the size converter maps Chinese letters to EU sizes. The size chart CSV keeps the numbers in one file.
Shoulder width is the figure that cannot be altered, so check it first. A polo with a good chest figure and a shoulder 3 cm too wide still hangs badly. For trousers to match, the pants page covers waist and inseam.
Compare shoulder width before chest; it is the hardest measurement to fix.
Polos and shirts to Germany, in euros
A single polo falls in the 500 g band. LitBuy's estimator showed €23.08 all-in for 500 g to Germany on LIT-Economy-DHL-DE on 27 October 2026, with the tariff prepayment included. The landed price calculator breaks that figure into parts.
Worked example: a ¥110 polo, a ¥130 Oxford shirt and a ¥110 knit, to Germany
Polo alone: ¥110 × 0.158 + €23.08 (est. 0.30 kg, 500 g band)€40.46
Shirt alone: ¥130 × 0.158 + €23.08€43.62
Two parcels€84.08
Polo + shirt together (est. 0.60 kg): ¥240 × 0.158 + €30.42€68.34
Three items (est. 0.90 kg), ¥350 × 0.158 + €30.42€85.72
Per item with three in one parcel€28.57
Two items add up to 0.60 kg and enter the 1,000 g band at €30.42; the saving against two parcels is €15.74. A third item still fits that band, since 0.90 kg is under 1 kg, and the per-item cost falls to €28.57. Beyond three, the 2,000 g band at €45.09 applies, so keep a count of your items against the estimates. On the same date the cheapest UK line was £11.06 for 500 g (FF-Royalmail-GB-1), and the cheapest US line was $25.55 (ZF-GOFO-US-1), which makes the ¥110 polo $45.02 in the US at ¥1 ≈ $0.177. The combine-parcels guide explains the bands.
Three light shirts in one parcel stay under 1 kg and cost about €28.57 each.
QC photos for a polo or shirt
Routine QC is generally 3 to 6 photos, and extra ones are ¥1 each. For a collared piece, ask for the collar flat, the placket and buttons, the inside neck label and a laid-flat shot with a ruler across the chest. Compare the colour in daylight with the listing. LitBuy checks quantity, colour, size and visible damage, and says it does not cover colour difference or wear effect. See the QC photos guide for the full list, and the QC finder for photo sources before purchase.
A collar close-up and a chest measurement answer most questions.
Where polo rows turn up and what to pair
Polo and shirt rows can be found through creator link pages and clothing sheets on Reddit. For style direction without logos, the old money page lists knits and loafers, and the tees page covers the lighter alternative. For a lower-cost add-on, see the light add-ons page. No LitBuy account? Send the row to us via the WhatsApp QR on the contact page: one delivered price, photos before dispatch, pay per order.
Pair polos with other light rows and stay in the 1,000 g band.
FAQ
How much does a polo weigh for shipping?
Our planning estimate is 0.30 kg for a polo or shirt, which falls in the 500 g band: €23.08 all-in on LIT-Economy-DHL-DE to Germany on 27 October 2026. Two items reach 0.60 kg and enter the 1,000 g band at €30.42, and three stay under 1 kg. These figures are estimates, not measured weights.
What does 珠地棉 mean on a polo listing?
珠地棉 is piqué cotton, a knit with a small waffle or pearl texture. It breathes well, keeps its shape and is the classic polo fabric. Compared with a smooth jersey, piqué holds a collar better and hides sweat marks. Check the fabric weight or buyer photos, because a thin piqué can look limp after washing.
How do I choose a shirt size from a Chinese table?
Use the flat measurements in cm rather than the letter. Double the flat chest to compare with a round chest, and add 4 to 8 cm of ease for a regular cut. Check shoulder width first, since it cannot be altered, then sleeve length. The size converter on this site maps Chinese letters to EU sizes.
Is a polo cheaper to ship with other shirts?
Yes. A hypothetical ¥110 polo costs about €40.46 landed in Germany on its own, and a ¥130 shirt costs €43.62. Shipped together, the 0.60 kg parcel costs €68.34, which saves €15.74 against two parcels. A third shirt keeps the parcel under 1 kg, reducing the cost per item further, as long as the line's size limit allows it.
What should I ask for in QC photos of a shirt?
Request the collar laid flat, the placket and buttons, the inside neck label and a chest measurement with a ruler, at ¥1 per custom photo. Routine QC is generally 3 to 6 photos. The collar and placket are the first places where a poorly made shirt shows, and daylight lets you compare colour.
Are linen shirts risky from a spreadsheet?
Not more than other fabrics, but the blend matters. A row that says linen may be a cotton-linen mix, and creasing is normal for any of them. Check the percentage and a daylight photo of the fabric. LitBuy's QC does not cover colour difference, so a pale linen shade is worth an extra ¥1 photo.