Piqué is a knit construction with a textured, raised surface, often described as a honeycomb or waffle look. It is the traditional polo fabric. Because of its structure, it tends to feel crisper, stand away from the body a little and breathe well. Jersey is a plain, smooth knit. It drapes more closely and can feel softer, and it is often chosen for a modern or more casual polo. Both can look smart; the choice depends on the look you want and how the fabric is made and finished.

Specify the weight and construction

Name the construction, for example single piqué or double piqué, or single jersey, with the fibre content and yarn count. Give a target weight and tolerance measured with a named method such as ASTM D3776. A heavier jersey can look smarter but will drape differently from piqué of the same weight.

Check shrinkage and twist

Wash and dry garments under a named procedure such as ISO 6330 and measure length and width change. Jersey in particular can twist after washing; AATCC TM179 measures skew change after home laundering. Set limits for both, since a twisted placket on a polo is very visible.

Check pilling and surface wear

Piqué's textured surface can hide some pilling, but it can also snag. Jersey shows pilling and surface fuzz more clearly. Test with a named method such as ASTM D3512 and set a minimum rating, after washing as well as new.

Wrinkling

No knit is fully wrinkle-free, but fibre choice and finishing affect how easily it creases. A cotton-polyester blend or an easy-care finish can help. Compare samples after washing and line or tumble drying, as customers will.

Collar and placket

Whatever the body fabric, specify the collar as a separate component, such as a flat-knit collar, and check that its colour and shrinkage match the body after washing. A collar that shrinks differently from the body will curl or pucker.

Approve washed samples of both fabrics side by side before deciding.

If you need a polo that can be embroidered with a logo, test that too. Piqué's textured surface usually takes embroidery well, while a lightweight jersey may pucker around a dense logo unless the factory uses a suitable backing.