Both do the same job — an easy, collared, smart-casual top — but a knit polo and a classic piqué polo feel and behave differently. Here’s how they compare, and how to pick.
Fabric and feel
The classic polo is knit in cotton piqué: a textured, breathable fabric with a bit of structure. The Essential Polo and the Active Polo follow this template. A knit polo like The Riviera Polo uses a softer, finer yarn — here, Tencel — so it feels smoother against the skin and drapes rather than holds.
Drape and formality
Piqué sits a little crisper and reads more casual and sporty. A fine knit polo falls closer to the body and looks a touch dressier — which is why the Riviera’s V-neck works for dinner or a smart-casual office as easily as a weekend.
Season
Cotton piqué is the reliable warm-weather staple — breathable and hard-wearing. A Tencel knit polo is also light and breathable, with a cooler hand that suits hot days and travel.
Care
Both are low-maintenance. Piqué tends to be the most forgiving in the wash and holds its structure over time; fine knits keep their drape best on a gentler cycle.
Which should you buy?
Choose the classic piqué polo if you want a durable, sporty, everyday staple you can wear hard. Choose the knit polo if you want something softer, dressier and a little more refined. Many wardrobes have room for both — the piqué for the everyday rotation, the knit for when you want to look a step sharper.