Cord weave

Cord weave shows evenly spaced ribs running lengthwise or crosswise; marcella piqué is stiff with fine cords. The ground remains woven, not knitted.

Welt cord is tubular trim, not an all-over rib cloth. Corduroy is cut pile, not corded floats.

Piqué weaving) produces corded ribs by manipulating floats on plain or twill grounds.[1] Britannica classifies corded structures among figured apparel weaves alongside dobby and jacquard.[2] Eighteenth-century France developed marcella for menswear waistcoats.[1]

British formal dress adopted white marcella cords for waistcoats and bow ties.[1] Woven cord polo cloth competed with knit polos in cotton sportswear.[2] silk cord weaves still serve black-tie accessories.[1]

Today cord weave survives in formal waistcoats, textured shirting, and polo yardage in cotton and polyester.[1][2] Compare waffle cells versus cord ribs under magnification.[1] When ribs are woven floats—not pile wales—cord weave is correct.[2]

Formal waistcoats, bow ties, polo shirts, textured dress shirts, and black-tie accessories.[1]

Wear marcella cord waistcoats with black tie. For polos, woven cord holds shape better than jersey for structured collars.[1]

Piqué is the common trade name. Welt cord is trim. Corduroy is cut pile on twill.[1]

Cord weave reads formal-sport hybrid. Marcella reads black tie; polo cord reads country club.

Cord weave vs corduroy? Cord weave uses floats; corduroy is cut pile wales.[1]

What is marcella? Stiff cotton cord piqué for formal menswear.[1]

Cord vs welt cord? Cord is all-over ribs; welt cord is piping trim.[1]