How we Designed the Knit Sweater Tee: From Fabric to Fit

In a wardrobe of elevated summer menswear, most t-shirts feel too basic. And most sweaters feel too heavy for warm weather. So we asked ourselves: what if we could design something in between?

“The challenge in designing this tee was figuring out how we take a concept that has been done so many times and make it truly unique to our vision while checking all the boxes of comfort, fit, and quality”, explains Head Designer Sean Anthony. And he’s right – PIQUE is not the first clothing brand to design a t-shirt and certainly won’t be the last. So, what makes the Signature Knit Sweater Tee stand out in a world where every brand has a tee of their own?

The Concept

In designing the Knit Sweater Tee, we wanted to create a hybrid piece that gave men something to wear in all summer occasions – whether that be as a layering piece under a sport coat, or a standalone shirt that will look great in any outfit. The best way to do that was to merge the comfort of a tee with the texture and polish of a knit sweater. “We wanted to make something that looked like you put in a lot of effort even when you didn’t”, says Sean. But creating the concept was one only half of the battle. Bringing it to life was a completely different story.

Fabric, Fit, and Details

So then, where did we begin? First, we knew we needed a fabric that was right for the summer months. A true sweater fabric (wool, heavy cotton, etc.) was going to be too warm. We wanted to create a garment that had structure but was breathable. Ultimately, we landed on using a blend of lightweight cotton and recycled acrylic. It was important for us to source an eco-friendly acrylic so that we keep our promise to make clothes that are as sustainable as possible. And having that blend is what allowed the shirt to have weight and structure while maintaining great airflow and breathability.

Next, we moved on to the fit: “Designing a men’s tee is so simple, but designing a great men’s tee can be very complicated. You have to ask yourself where the fabric should pull away from the body to get proper airflow, where the fabric should hug the body to get a flattering silhouette, and how can you design measurement combinations that will fall correctly on every body type?”, explains Sean Anthony.  With that in mind, we placed an emphasis on achieving a cozier fit in the chest and shoulders while giving more room in the torso.

Finally, we knew we had to bring the piece together by giving attention to the details. Since we wanted to achieve that classic sweater appearance, we added ribbing to the sleeve openings and the bottom hem. We knew the combination of texture and detail would prove to our customers that summertime can still be sweater weather.

Why You Need One

The Knit Sweater Tee is arguably the most versatile piece we’ve ever created. It can fit into nearly any outfit. In particular, we might recommend pairing it with our Bordeaux Linen Pant and a summer loafer, or layering it under our VanCleef Bomber Jacket on a breezy day. No matter what the occasion, this tee can add that extra touch of sophistication to your outfit. Once you wear it, you’ll wonder why every t-shirt doesn’t feel this good.

Shop our Knit Sweater Tee now during our Summer Sale!