Most polos are made in piqué, the dotted, textured knit you know from sports polos. Some premium polos use interlock instead, a smooth double knit. They can be the same weight and the same cotton and still look and age very differently. Here is the difference and how to choose.
Piqué is textured, airy and sporty. Interlock is smooth on both sides, denser and dressier, and it keeps a cleaner surface as it ages. If you want a polo that looks sharp at the office and stays neat wash after wash, choose interlock. For a casual, sporty look, piqué is fine.
How each knit is made
- Piqué is a single knit with a raised, waffle-like pattern on the face. The texture comes from loops tucked at regular intervals.
- Interlock is a double knit: two layers of stitches knitted into each other, so both faces look like smooth jersey and the fabric does not curl at the edges.
Interlock vs piqué compared
| Interlock | Piqué | |
|---|---|---|
| Surface | Smooth on both sides | Dotted, textured face |
| Look | Clean and dressy | Sporty and casual |
| Feel | Soft, dense, drapes cleanly | Crisp, slightly rough |
| Over time | Keeps its finish at seams and collar | Texture shows wear and pilling sooner |
| Airflow | Slightly warmer | More open, a little cooler |
| Best for | Office, evenings, travel | Sport and casual weekends |
Which is cooler?
Piqué's open texture lets a little more air through, so at the same weight it can feel slightly cooler outdoors. Interlock is denser and a touch warmer, which suits air-conditioned offices, evenings and travel. In Indian summers, a lighter round neck is the coolest choice of all: see polo vs round neck.
Does the cotton matter more than the knit?
Both matter. A short-staple cotton in either knit will fuzz and pill. Extra-long-staple Supima cotton spins a smoother yarn with fewer loose ends, so an interlock in Supima stays especially clean-looking. Weight matters too: see the 240 GSM Supima polo.
How to tell them apart in a shop
- Look closely at the face. Piqué shows a grid of tiny raised dots; interlock looks like smooth t-shirt fabric.
- Turn it inside out. Interlock looks the same on both sides. Piqué's back is flatter than its face.
- Check the label or listing. A brand that uses interlock usually says so, because it usually costs more to knit.
Caring for each
Wash both inside out in cool water and dry in the shade. Piqué's texture catches lint and rubs more, so it benefits most from washing inside out. Dry heavier polos flat or on a wide hanger so the shoulders keep their shape. More in how to wash Supima cotton.
Why Gutmann is interlock
Gutmann polos are 100% USA-grown Supima cotton knitted as a 240 GSM interlock, with a honeycomb rib collar and cuffs that spring back after washing. The panels are washed before sewing. ₹1,999, or ₹1,599 each in a pack of three.
Interlock and piqué questions
Is interlock better than piqué?
For a smart polo, usually yes: interlock is smoother, dressier and keeps a cleaner surface over time. Piqué suits a sporty, casual look.
Is interlock fabric breathable?
Yes, though it is denser than piqué, so it feels a little warmer. It suits offices, evenings and travel.
Does piqué pill more than interlock?
Piqué's raised texture tends to show wear and pilling sooner. The cotton matters too: long-staple Supima pills less in either knit.
How do I know if a polo is interlock?
Interlock looks smooth, like t-shirt fabric, on both sides. Piqué has a dotted texture on the outside.
What knit are Gutmann polos?
240 GSM interlock in 100% Supima cotton.
