Composition of pique fabric, its features and application

Pique is a type of fabric with an attractive structure that has a special weave of threads. They are used to create a geometric pattern reminiscent of chess. High-quality knitted material became widely known back in the 20s of the last century. Manufacturers sew sportswear from this material. At this stage, you can find almost any type of clothing made from this fabric in stores. In this article, you can carefully study the main properties of the fabric.

History of origin

Pique is a French word, translated as "to fasten". The pique material also has another name - marcella. There is such an embroidery technology, which is very similar in structure to this fabric. The place of origin of this technology is the city of Marseille.

The first sportswear was created by the famous tennis player Rene Lacoste. To create sports models, flannel had to be used. The first presentation of the shirt took place at a tennis tournament. It made a great impression on the audience. After this event, many began to call shirts "polo".

What is a pique?

In order to study the properties of pique fabric, you need to look at the photo and look closely at the effect of the stitched fabric. The material consists of a complex and dense weave, due to which the fabric gets a characteristic pattern. Pique knitwear is dense and does not lose shape when moved.

Composition and production method

The most pressing question among sportswear buyers is what pique fabric is made of. Only cotton was used to produce this material, which fits perfectly to the body. Now pique is mixed with lycra, nylon or elastane to sew sportswear for training.

An equally popular query is "what is pique jersey?" This type of fabric can be wool, semi-wool, silk, viscose. That is, all types of fibers except cotton. The main composition of the product is cotton (at least 50%) and other fibers.

Types of material

There are several types of fabric on the market today. Among the wide range, we can highlight:

• Knitted pique (French name) for making shirts called "Polo".
• Children's pique made of dense cotton fabric with a light fleece. It is used exclusively for children's clothing.
• Pique-bouquet is the reverse side of the material with a dense pile. On the market you can find fabric: unbleached, plain, variegated.

Application areas

When a person hears about pique material, they immediately imagine a classic polo shirt. Although this product is worn on the tennis court, this does not mean that only polos are made from pique. It is used to make:

• casual and business wear (mainly T-shirts and shirts, jackets, blazers);
• tracksuit, dress for sports events;
• a warm item that is perfect for an active lifestyle;
• children's clothing;
• accessories and decorative elements for the home: bedspread, towel, tablecloth;
• home textiles: robe, pajamas;
• jacket, raincoat.

How to choose a quality pique product?

When choosing a quality product, you should pay attention to the composition. As a rule, the material consists of at least 50% cotton. Items made of 100% cotton are soft, breathable and environmentally friendly. Clothes hold their shape perfectly, like those made of fabric with added synthetics. If the composition contains a small percentage of nylon, such a product will be durable and will be able to withstand many washing cycles.

How to distinguish real fabric from a fake

How can you tell a quality pique fabric from any other fake? If you stretch it thoroughly and then let it go, it will return to its original position. If you have the money, it is better to buy clothes from famous brands. World manufacturers include: Lacoste, Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren. They produce popular polo shirts and sports dresses that do not lose their appearance over time.

Should I get a traditional polo shirt?

Traditional polo shirts are the most popular unisex clothing in the summer. Both girls and boys wear these shirts with chinos, jeans or shorts. Anyone who buys clothes made of this fabric once will appreciate the comfort. You can immediately understand why this material is so loved by designers and fashionistas all over the world.

Care instructions

The durable weave of the material allows you to wear the product during sports competitions and training. Such clothes hardly stretch, are not prone to deformation, do not shrink, and therefore do not require careful care. However, you should take into account the basic recommendations:

• When washing items, use synthetic detergents;
• light starching is indicated for hard fabrics;
• the ironing mode should be selected in accordance with the manufacturer's requirements (information is indicated on the label) or you should set the iron to the "cotton" mode and iron the item from the inside out (however, if you let it drain calmly and dry naturally, ironing will not be required);
• stain removers can be used if necessary, but gentle ones (aggressive preparations with chlorine can damage any fabric, pique is no exception);
• drying – machine or natural, horizontal drying is suitable for items with loosely woven threads.

Selecting a washing mode

The optimal water temperature for washing pique knitwear is 40 degrees, as for most other fabrics - this mode is optimal for effective cleaning and gentle care. It is advisable to turn things inside out before washing and fasten all buttons.

Those who like to wear starched clothes should buy a ready-made solution or prepare it at home. To do this, take two tablespoons of starch per three liters of water.

You can also use an aerosol - this is the best option for starching a thing. It will be enough to spray the composition from the can on it.

Pique knitwear is a great choice for athletes and people who value comfort. The durable and long-lasting fabric has improved characteristics. This well-proven material always remains in fashion. A product made from pique is a "calling card" that can become a symbol of success.