Cotton Pique or Cable Knit? How to Choose Your Polo

We make polos in two fabrics, and they behave differently enough that the choice is worth thinking about. One is a premium cotton pique. The other is a 70% viscose, 30% nylon cable knit. Here is how they actually differ in wear.

How they feel

Cotton pique has a textured, slightly waffled surface and a dry hand. It is structured, breathable, and it feels like a polo is supposed to feel. The weight is heavier than a typical high-street polo, which is why it holds its shape at the collar and shoulders instead of collapsing after a few wears.

The viscose cable knit is a different experience. Viscose is cool to the touch and noticeably smoother, closer to a fine-gauge knit than a woven shirt. It drapes rather than sits. If you have only worn cotton polos, the first thing you notice is that it moves with you.

How they drape

Cotton pique holds a defined silhouette. The shoulders stay square and the body keeps its line, which is what makes it easy to wear untucked.

The cable knit follows the body more closely and falls softly from the shoulder. The vertical cable weave adds visual depth so it does not read as plain, and the contrast tipping on the collar and cuffs gives it a finished, slightly retro edge.

Which occasion

The cotton pique polos are the everyday option. They handle heat well, wash easily and work with denim, shorts or trousers. If you want one shirt that covers most of your week, start here. The Eclipse in deep black is the most versatile piece in the range.

The cable knit polos lean dressier. They suit dinner, an evening out, or any time you want to look considered without wearing a shirt and jacket. The Onyx in deep black and the Naverio in navy are the easiest entry points.

Colour longevity

Both fabrics are dyed with longevity in mind, but they hold colour differently. The cotton pique uses a fade-resistant dye, which matters most on the darker shades. The viscose blend resists fading more naturally and has a subtle sheen that makes richer colours like burgundy and forest green read deeper.

Care

Cotton pique is the lower-maintenance of the two. Cold wash, hang dry, and the reinforced hem stops it curling or shrinking.

The viscose blend needs a slightly gentler hand. Wash cool, avoid wringing it out, and dry flat rather than on a hanger so the shoulders do not stretch. In exchange it resists shrinking and holds its shape well over time.

The short answer

• Want one polo that does everything, in heat, at a good price point? Cotton pique.
• Want something that reads more expensive and dresses up easily? Cable knit.
• Want both? Most of our customers end up here. Pair either with our tailored trousers.