Piqué? Isn’t that the footballer?
Granted. Piqué is indeed the surname of a former Spanish football player. But it’s also the name of a versatile and popular fabric type, ideal for use in polos and shirts that focus on maximum comfort.
In this blog post, we’ll explain what sets piqué apart from other fabric types – and the specific benefits it offers you if you’re considering or already wearing our short-sleeved piqué polo or long-sleeved piqué shirt.
Our latest fabric addition to the core collection
But first, a quick introduction to why we’re discussing this topic at all.
In the summer of 2022, we introduced The Ambassador Polo. The launch of the polo – a long-awaited addition to our core range – happened alongside the announcement of Michael Laudrup as our global brand ambassador.
The development of the polo has been a long journey, and we continue to refine it from generation to generation. We’ve gone deep into the details to find exactly the right fabric that gives you a timeless polo built to last season after season.
From experience, we know that it often takes a lot of work to create something that looks simple. But we believe we’ve found the perfect balance between a formal, classic look and the comfort you know from your favourite t-shirts.
The result was The Ambassador Polo, which we later introduced as a long-sleeved shirt version in autumn 2022, named The Ambassador. Naturally, with all the same benefits.
A new level of flexibility and comfort you’ve likely never experienced before in a BARONS shirt – the kind of shirt you’d choose on a Sunday morning.
So, back to the beginning: What exactly is piqué, and what are the advantages of this fabric?
What is piqué polo fabric?
Piqué is a knitted fabric known for its unique texture and durability. It’s typically made from cotton yarn, knitted in a specific pattern that creates its signature, subtly ridged surface.
The benefits for you are plenty…
Piqué is often used for polos and casual shirts because it’s breathable and comfortable – ideal for a wide range of leisure activities. Unlike woven fabrics, piqué is knitted, which means it naturally offers stretch without adding synthetic plastic fibres.
The fabric is durable and can withstand frequent washing if washed correctly. This is thanks in particular to the extra-long cotton fibres we use in our polo fabric.
When it comes to cotton, it’s quite simple: The longer the fibres, the longer it lasts. The longer the fibres, the more comfortable it is to wear. The longer the fibres, the less it wrinkles after washing. That’s why we only use 100% certified organic cotton with long fibres (so-called “long staple” cotton) in both The Ambassador Polo and the long-sleeved shirt.
The organic cotton we use in The Ambassador series is grown along the Aegean coast in southwest Turkey. We use exclusively organic cotton. That means there is zero plastic fibre content added for stretch – something you’ll often see in so-called “performance” clothing.
We make that choice because we would never dream of adding non-biodegradable synthetic fibres like elastane, lycra, spandex, polyester, or similar to our polos.
Synthetic plastic fibres are the easy, cheap and polluting way to add stretch to your clothes. But all textiles lose some of their mass over time with use – meaning that parts of the fabric (microplastics) end up in the environment – either through washing or contact with various surfaces.
We don’t like microplastics. That’s why we choose the natural alternative – even if it’s a bit more complicated and costly.
And we’re confident you’ll find there’s just the right amount of stretch in your piqué polo or shirt from us.
Why piqué polo fabric is a permanent part of our collection
We’ve long dreamed of being able to offer you more classic and timeless garments – even through the warmer summer months.
While we spent the first several years focusing exclusively on the business shirt, we now believe we’ve cracked the code for a polo we’d personally wear all summer. Because of course you should also have the option to look sharp at the beach bar or pavement café when the weather’s warm or when you simply want a more relaxed look.
