Piqué (lacoste) fabric for polo shirts

Pique, called lacoste in Romania, is a knit with a raised texture of small honeycomb or diamond shapes, created by tuck stitches that hold the yarn without releasing the previous loop. The face shows a visible pattern while the back is smoother. It is thicker and more airy than jersey, with fewer contact points against the skin.

It is mostly used for polo shirts but also for other casual garments. There are several variants, for example single pique and double pique, with different looks and weights.

Single pique is made on one needle bed, so it is lighter, softer and stretchier, with a finer texture. Double pique is made on two beds, so it is thicker and more stable, with a more pronounced texture and a clean back. Double pique tends to keep its shape better after wear and washing.

For summer polos, single pique is more comfortable and easier to cut. For uniforms and pieces that must look good for a long time, double pique is more suitable. Ask for a swatch, as names vary between mills.

American pique is a trade name for a pique with a more pronounced texture, a larger and more visible honeycomb or nest effect than classic pique. The term is not standardised: one supplier may use it for one structure, another for a different one. That is why it is not wise to order by name.

What counts is the actual pattern, the weight and the width. Ask for a swatch or a close-up photo and compare it with your requirement. If you want a traditional sporty polo look, also check how large the texture cell is.

Both have a raised texture, but the structure differs. Pique has a small honeycomb or diamond pattern on the face only, with a smoother back. Waffle forms a grid of deep squares or pockets, visible on both sides or on one, with a much more three-dimensional look, more thickness and a greater ability to trap air.

Pique is the classic choice for polos, waffle for loungewear, pyjamas and thermal pieces. In both, tuck stitches pull the fabric in, so always check the real finished width.

Single jersey consists only of knit stitches, so it has a smooth face and a different back. Pique adds tuck stitches, which create a raised texture and make the fabric thicker and more airy. That is why pique holds its shape better at the neck and shoulders, does not cling to the body and hides small flaws better.

Jersey is lighter, stretchier and easier to cut, but more prone to curling and distortion. For a classic-looking polo choose pique, for a soft-draping fashion polo choose jersey.

Waffle is a knit with a raised grid texture, like a waffle, created by combining knit, tuck and miss stitches. The pockets trap air, so the fabric is warm, absorbs well and dries quickly. It can have a structured look on one or both faces.

It is used for thermal wear, pyjamas, robes and home items. Being thicker than jersey with a deep texture, it is harder to print. When cutting, the grid direction must be followed so the pattern lines up from one piece to the next.