Pique weave

Piqué shows corded ribs or waffle cells in a tight repeat—distinct from knit polo piqué but similar visually. Marcella piqué is stiff, used for waistcoats and bow ties.

Confirm woven structure: yarns interlace; knit polos loop instead. Matelassé looks quilted, not corded.

Piqué weaving) creates cords by float manipulation on a loom, producing waffle or birdseye ribs.[1] Britannica's weaving surveys group piqué among figured structures for apparel.[2] Eighteenth-century France developed marcella for menswear waistcoats.[1]

British and American formal dress adopted white marcella piqué for waistcoats and tie facings.[1] Woven piqué polo cloth later competed with knit polos in cotton sportswear.[1] silk and cotton piqué serve black-tie accessories.[1]

Today woven piqué survives in formal waistcoats, polo shirts, and textured dress shirts in cotton and polyester.[1][2] Do not confuse with knit piqué polos—the handle differs under magnification.[1] When cords are woven ribs, piqué weave is the term.[2]

Polo shirts, formal waistcoats, white tie accessories, textured dress shirts, and tennis whites.[1]

Wear marcella piqué waistcoats with black tie. For polos, choose woven piqué when you want crisp cords that hold shape.[1] Pair with linen trousers in summer.[1]

Knit piqué polos loop yarn; this entry is woven piqué. Matelassé is blistered. Huck uses float stripes.[1]

Piqué reads sporty-formal hybrid. Marcella reads black tie; polo piqué reads country club.

Woven vs knit piqué polo? Woven has interlaced cords; knit has looped structure.[1]

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

Is piqué breathable? Cord gaps aid airflow in summer polos.[1]