In the five pairs below, the men's and women's versions share the fabric and its weight, but only one pair shares every colourway. The differences sit in four places: the placket and collar, the pocket, the size run and the colour list. None of the listings below describes a different body shape for the women's polo, so the details that are written down are the ones worth checking before you order for a mixed team.
What the listings say, pair by pair
Our JB's listings title the standard polos without a gender and the women's versions as Womens, so the first column below is "men's or standard".
| Range | Men's or standard | Women's |
|---|---|---|
| Aussie Pacific Endeavour, 1310 and 2310 | Three button placket, loose pocket, S to 3XL and 5XL | V neck johnny collar, no pocket listed, 6 to 26 |
| Aussie Pacific Panorama, 1309 and 2309 | Three button placket, loose pocket, S to 3XL and 5XL | Four button placket, no pocket listed, 6 to 26 |
| JB's Podium Piping, 7PIP and 7LPI | No placket detail listed, 2XS to 5XL and 6/7XL, 24 colourways | One button placket, 8 to 24, 14 colourways |
| JB's Podium Bell, 7BEL and 7BEL1 | Three button placket, 3XS to 5XL, 14 colourways | Two button placket, 8 to 24, 5 colourways |
| Pilbara Classic, RMPC019 and RMPC020 | XS to 6XL, 7 colours | 6 to 24, 4 colours |
The Endeavour lists the same 19 colourways for both styles. The Panorama women's 2309 lists all 13 of the men's colourways plus one more, Black/White/Ashe.
Placket and collar: the difference you can see
The placket is the buttoned opening at the neck, and it's the most visible difference between the two versions of a range. In three of the pairs above, the listings give the women's polo a different number of buttons or, on the Endeavour, a V neck johnny collar instead of a placket. The Pilbara listings don't describe the placket on either version. The 7LPI listing describes its placket as "a distinctly stylish 1-button design".
Seen side by side, a team in one of these ranges will look matched but not identical at the neckline. If you want every polo to look the same from the front, compare the placket line in both listings and both product photos before deciding.
The neckline also sits right beside a left chest logo, and a johnny collar or a longer placket changes the space around it. As our FAQ explains, each new embroidery set-up is sent to you as a sample by text or email, and the order goes ahead only once you approve it. Ask to see where the logo sits on both versions at that point.
Pockets: men's only, in this brand
Every Aussie Pacific men's polo listing we checked, 20 in all, says a loose pocket is included or provided, marked "men's only". None of the 20 women's listings mentions a pocket. The Endeavour and Panorama men's photos show no pocket sewn on, so ask how the loose pocket is supplied. If you're picturing a pocket on everyone, or on no one, settle that first, because a pocket also decides where a chest logo can go.
Size runs don't line up
Men's polos come in letter sizes and women's in numbered sizes, so a mixed order is really two size lists. Three things stand out in the pairs above:
- The Aussie Pacific men's styles run S to 3XL and then 5XL. There's no 4XL option in either listing.
- The women's runs stop at different points: 26 for both Aussie Pacific pairs, 24 for both JB's pairs and the Pilbara.
- The JB's standard styles start smaller than the Aussie Pacific men's, at 2XS for the Piping and 3XS for the Bell, but their listings limit the smallest sizes, and the Piping's 6/7XL, to a few colours.
Our women's fit guide explains why numbered and letter sizes don't convert neatly. The simplest fix is for people to try one on. Our FAQ notes that there are samples in our store and that you can drop in to discuss an order without booking.
Colours: check the women's list on its own
A colour in the men's list isn't always in the women's. The Pilbara men's polo lists seven colours and the women's four, and only Black and French Navy are in both. The JB's Bell 7BEL1 comes in five of the 7BEL's 14 colourways. The Piping polos share 13 colourways, and Black/Pink is listed only in the women's 7LPI.
So pick the team colour from the shorter of the two lists. Our women's polos collection has more women's styles to compare. For a range that also comes in kids' sizes in the same colours, our Be Seen guide lines up two such ranges.
What stays the same
Within each pair above, the fabric and its weight are listed the same for both versions: 155gm polyester for the Endeavour, 180gm polyester and cotton for the Panorama, 160gsm polyester pique for both JB's pairs and 220gsm cotton pique for the Pilbara. Where a listing mentions side splits or a side vent, its partner does too, and the two JB's pairs give the same fit name for both versions, "Classic" for the Piping and "Urban" for the Bell. That's why a mixed team in one range still reads as one uniform.
Which fabric suits which team
The fabric, not the gender of the style, decides where a range works best. Here's what the listings state, and what they leave out:
- JB's polyester pique. Both JB's pairs list "Podium Cool™ moisture wicking fabric designed to help keep you cool and dry", quick drying, and compliance with AS 4399:2020 for UPF protection. That suits coaches, club officials and staff who are outside for part of the day. The listings don't give a UPF number.
- Aussie Pacific. The Endeavour and Panorama both list a "Dri-wear antibacterial finish" and easy care fabric, useful for polos that are washed often, such as at a reception desk or club canteen. The Panorama's cotton back puts cotton against the skin. Neither lists a UPF rating.
- Pilbara cotton pique. At 220gsm 100% cotton with a silicon wash "for a soft, comfortable hand feel", it's the heaviest fabric here and suits indoor, customer facing roles. Neither listing gives a UPF rating or a quick dry claim.
Once you've chosen a range, send us the polo, the colour and the men's and women's sizes through our custom workwear enquiry form, and we'll reply with a quote. For the steps after that, see how to order embroidered work shirts.
