Fashion Polo Shirts

First off we’ll start with the pique [pee-kay’] knit. Most pique knit polos are constructed of 100% cotton and knitted in a durable, raised design – waffle, for example – where the fabric has raised lengthwise “cords” which are part of the weave. This raised design gives an almost “knobbly” appearance and hand – but if you haven’t heard that term before, don’t be surprised . . . it’s a colloquialism! Anyway, the pique is a single-knit construction and is also known as a mesh knit. The design is an open knit surface with a coarser hand than a jersey or interlock knit [see below], and – not surprisingly – is used primarily in short sleeve polo shirts. Note: There is also a baby or micro pique knit – so called because it’s a very small pique knit construction. You’ll find a cool selection of these polo shirts here, for example.

Markedly different from the pique knit is the jersey, a type of single knit construction which has rows of vertical loops [knit stitch] on the face and rows of horizontal half-loops [purl stitch] on the back. The jersey knit can be of any fiber content and can be knitted flat, or circular. Once knitted, the fabric has a face side that is markedly different [and smoother] from the back side. This particular knit is thought to have its origins on the Jersey and Guernsey Islands in the English Channel. You’ll find quite a neat variety of jersey knit polo shirts here.

Next, the tubular knit polo shirt is one in which the fabric is manufactured [woven] in a complete circle without seams [like a tube], whereas nearly all other knits do in fact required one or more side seams [and possibly others] as part of the garment construction process.

A great knit used in many polo shirt fabrics is the interlock knit, where the fabric has two plys knit simultaneously to form a single, thicker and heavier ply. This produces a firm double knit fabric, usually softer and heavier than the jersey knit – and with more of a natural stretch as well. Both sides of the fabric look and feel the same [similar to the face-side of the jersey]. The interlock knit is quite often used in short sleeve polo shirts and in turtlenecks. Besides the polo shirt, the interlock knit is often used for T-shirts.

The rib knit is a knitted fabric produced with two sets of needles [double knit] in which the vertical rows of loops [wales] can be seen alternately on the face and back, in other words, a knit with alternating raised and lowered rows. The stretch in width is excellent, having almost a “memory”. This type of knit is a textured one that has the appearance of vertical lines and is used in several upscale golf shirts and polos – by both national and private label distributors. Rib knit fabric is frequently used in T-shirts and for trimming socks, sleeves, necklines.