Pique

Pique is cotton with a raised geometric texture woven in, classically a small waffle or honeycomb of recessed squares, built on a dobby loom from an extra set of warp or weft that lifts the surface into relief. The texture began as a Lancashire imitation of the corded quilting of Provence, woven rather than stitched. Its cool, dimpled hand made it the cloth of the tennis and polo shirt, where the textured weave breathes better than flat jersey, and of the stiff white waistcoat and bib front of formal evening dress.