Differences Between Jersey and Pique

Jersey vs Pique

People love to wear any type of clothing that makes them feel comfortable. The material used and the kind of knitting style greatly contribute to the comfort of a particular material. Among the popular fabrics are jersey and pique. In this article, let us learn about the differences between jersey and pique.

Perhaps almost everyone knows what a jersey is since it is commonly associated with sports garments. A jersey is actually a type of knitted clothing. It is usually made of wool or cotton. This type of knitted clothing can be woven with sleeves and buttons or can be woven as a pullover. Since it can be worn as a pullover, everyone also calls it a sweater.

The jersey clothing got its name from the place it was first introduced – Jersey, Channel Islands. Since the medieval times, Jersey in the Channel Islands was widely known for its knitting trade. The said place has been a major exporter of the jersey knitted items. Be it round or flat, most forms of knitted fabric are a jersey. “Channel Islands” are called “jersey.” The traditional color of jersey is navy blue. The dye they use is not harmful to the wool’s natural oils which is why the jerseys are water resistant.

We have mentioned earlier that a jersey is also popularly used as a sport shirt. Usually, your team (in any sports) wears the same jersey with your own corresponding name, team number, and logo. The jersey symbolizes the team you represent. A jersey has become a symbolical clothing in the field of sports. Other sport teams make a player’s jersey “retired.” If the jersey is “retired,” future team members are not allowed to wear a jersey with the same number as the previous player. This serves as an honorable act for the previous player’s accomplishment during his time.

Another wonderful garment for you to wear is the pique fabric. Actually, “pique” refers to a weaving style. Pique is also commonly known as marcella. If jerseys are made from wool or cotton, pique is usually knitted with a cotton yarn. Pique is not your ordinary woven fabric. As defined from other sources, it is characterized by raised parallel cords or fine ribbing.

If jersey fabrics are commonly used in making sport attires, the pique fabrics are commonly used in making white ties. It is said that the pique fabric was invented for the sake of making white ties. Unlike any other fabric, the pique fabric is more convenient to use in making white ties since it holds more starch and produces a stiffer shirt front.

The pique weaving style existed since the late 18th century, and it was introduced by the Lancashire cotton industry. The pique fabric was said to be an attempt to imitate the Provencal quilts which were made in Marseille. Hence, the term “marcella” was coined from the said place. The pique fabric later on became an important trade for the Lancashire cotton industry.

Piques can also be made in several patterns not just the fine rib types. Piques can have honeycomb patterns, cord patterns, waffle patterns, and birdseye patterns. But to make these various patterns, the cotton yarn needs an addition of another type of yarn called stuffer yarn. Stuffer yarns are able to give more depth to the pique fabric designs.

Summary:

1. A jersey can be made from wool or cotton while a pique can be made from cotton yarn with a stuffer yarn.

2. Jerseys are usually used in creating sports garments while piques are usually used in creating white ties.

3. Jerseys were first introduced in the Jersey, Channel Islands while piques were first introduced by the Lancashire cotton industry.

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