Openwork Polo Knit Top

Women’s Openwork Cotton Polo Knit Top with Contrast Wavy Collar

Wholesale and private label

Overview

This is a short-sleeve polo knit top in 100% combed cotton, knitted with a diamond openwork jacquard and finished with a contrast wavy trim on the collar and the cuffs. It is made for spring and summer, when a plain T-shirt feels too flat and a woven shirt feels too formal: the openwork knit gives the garment texture and a light, airy look without making it transparent, and the cotton keeps it dry against the skin in the heat. The collar is a soft doll-style polo with black wavy trim, which softens the sporty feeling of a classic polo and gives the top a gentle, slightly retro character, and the same wavy trim is repeated on the cuffs so the details echo each other. The body is cut loose with a dropped shoulder, the sleeve finishes at five-eighth length to cover the upper arm, and the short body with a ribbed hem shapes the waistline and improves the proportions with skirts, jeans and tailored trousers. The top is produced as a stock item and as a private-label piece, so the yarn, the openwork pattern, the trim and the packaging can all be set to your specification. Sizes run [S–XXL], and can be graded to your own size chart. MOQ is 100 pieces per colourway.

Product specification

Yarn: 100% combed cotton, soft and dry to the touch.

Weight: 220 gsm.

Structure: diamond openwork jacquard, knitted into the fabric.

Stretch: moderate knit stretch, not tight.

Collar: soft polo collar with contrast black wavy trim.

Cuffs: contrast black wavy trim, matching the collar.

Sleeves: five-eighth length with a loose dropped shoulder.

Length: short body with a ribbed hem.

Colour: cream with black trim as photographed, or matched to your reference.

Sizes: [S–XXL], graded to your size chart.

MOQ: 100 pieces per colourway, mixed sizes accepted.

Sample: 7–10 working days per round.

Bulk lead time: 25–40 days after sample approval and deposit.

Care: hand wash or gentle cycle in a laundry bag, dry flat, do not bleach, iron on the reverse.

Quality control: inline and final inspection, openwork and trim check, stitch integrity test, needle detection.

Why buyers choose this style

A knit polo is one of the most reliable spring and summer items in womenswear, because it looks finished without being formal: it is smart enough for the office, relaxed enough for the weekend and dressy enough for a date. This version adds two things that a basic knit polo does not have — an openwork texture that reads as considered rather than plain, and a contrast trim that makes the collar the focal point of the garment.

The fabric is the second reason. 100% combed cotton at 220 gsm gives the top a substantial hand feel without weight: it does not cling, it does not feel thin, and it keeps the wearer dry in warm weather. Because the openwork pattern is knitted into the fabric rather than punched out afterwards, the top also holds up to washing, which matters for a light-coloured garment that will be worn and washed often.

The third reason is the fit. A loose body with a dropped shoulder and a five-eighth sleeve is the shape that suits the widest range of customers: it covers the upper arm, it does not grip the waist, and the short length with a ribbed hem keeps the silhouette neat. For the buyer, the numbers are straightforward: 100-piece MOQ, 7–10 day sampling and 25–40 day bulk lead time, with mixed sizes in one order.

100% combed cotton at 220 gsm

The yarn is 100% combed cotton. Combing removes the short fibres and the impurities from the cotton before spinning, which produces a smoother, stronger and cleaner yarn. In practice that gives three benefits that customers notice: the surface feels soft and slightly powdery rather than scratchy; the fabric resists pilling better than a carded cotton of the same weight, because there are fewer short fibres working their way to the surface; and the yarn takes dye evenly, which is why a light ground colour such as cream stays uniform instead of looking patchy.

At 220 gsm the fabric is substantial without being heavy. It is dense enough to hold the openwork structure and to keep the pattern crisp, and light enough to be worn in summer without overheating. Cotton also absorbs moisture and releases it, so the top feels dry against the skin rather than clammy, which is the difference between a knit top that gets worn all summer and one that stays in the drawer.

Diamond openwork jacquard: knitted, not punched

The diamond openwork is worked into the knit: the yarns are transferred to create the holes as the fabric is knitted, so the pattern and the fabric are one and the same. This is different from a fabric that is punched or lasered after knitting, where the edges of the holes are cut fibres that can fray, distort or run after washing. On a knitted openwork, the edges are loops, so the pattern holds its shape and the garment does not develop ladders.

The texture also gives the garment its look. A diamond lattice reads as delicate and slightly vintage, and because the openwork is worked across the body rather than applied in a band, the top has depth and light rather than a flat surface. The openness is controlled by the pattern: the holes are large enough to read as a design, small enough that the garment is not transparent, and the areas that need coverage — the chest and the shoulders — are checked on a fit model in daylight.

The wavy contrast polo collar

The collar is the signature detail. It is a soft polo collar rather than a stiff, sporty one, and it is finished with a wavy edge in black. The wavy trim softens the line of a classic polo, which is what gives the top its gentle, slightly retro character, and the black edge against a cream ground gives the neckline a defined frame that looks intentional in photographs.

The trim is applied with a flat seam so it does not stand away from the collar or scratch the neck, and the wave pitch is confirmed on the sample so the pattern is even around the collar rather than bunching at the points. The same wavy trim is used at the cuffs, which ties the top together and prevents the design from looking like only the collar was considered.

The collar is knitted in the same yarn as the body, so the hand feel and the colour match, and the neckline is finished so that it does not gape when the top is worn open and does not pull when it is closed.

The sleeve finishes at five-eighth length, which sits below the elbow and covers the upper arm — the area most customers want covered in spring and summer. It is a useful length because it works with a sleeveless layer underneath and does not need constant adjusting.

The shoulder is dropped, which gives the top a relaxed line and a generous armhole: the fabric does not pull across the chest when the wearer reaches forward, and the armhole is deep enough to be comfortable in warm weather. Both the drop and the sleeve length are confirmed on the sample, together with the cuff opening, because a sleeve that is tight at the cuff loses the relaxed character of the design.

Short length and ribbed hem

The body is cut short, finishing at the high hip, and the hem is ribbed. The rib holds the shape of the hem so it does not flare or curl, and the shorter length improves the proportions with high-waisted trousers, skirts and jeans. The combination of a loose body above and a defined hem below is what keeps the top neat without making it tight.

Fit and sizing

Sizing is based on chest width, body length, shoulder drop, sleeve length and hem width, measured flat without stretching. Grading is developed to your own size chart, and the size guide shows both centimetres and inches. Reference sizes [S–XXL], confirmed on the order. Because the fit is loose and the yarn has moderate stretch, customers should choose on the chest width and the body length rather than sizing down.

Colour and finishing

The photographed sample is a cream ground with black trim, which is the easiest combination to sell: cream is soft and flattering against the skin, and the black trim gives the garment contrast without making it heavy. Colour is matched to your reference and checked under D65 light before knitting, so the body and the trim sit together correctly, and the yarn is dyed in one lot so the openwork pattern reads evenly.

Where a range needs variety, the same pattern can be produced in ivory, pale blue, sage or black, with the trim colour adjusted to suit the ground. The finishing is where a knit top is judged: the trim is pressed flat, the ribbed hem is even, the seams are linked or overlocked and pressed, and loose ends are trimmed and secured.

Customization

Colours: cream with black trim as shown, or matched to your reference, in a range of grounds and trim colours.

Yarn: 100% combed cotton at 220 gsm, or a lighter weight for high summer.

Openwork: diamond lattice as shown, or another knitted motif.

Collar and cuffs: wavy contrast trim, or a plain or ribbed finish.

Length: short or regular body length, with a ribbed or straight hem.

Branding: woven labels, printed labels, hangtags, patches and custom packaging.

Sizes: [S–XXL], or graded to your own chart.

Sampling and production timeline

1. Inquiry. Send a photo, a sketch or a tech pack.
2. Yarn. Confirm the yarn, the weight and the colours, 3–7 days.
3. Pattern. Fit, openwork pattern, collar shape and trim, 2–3 days.
4. Sample. First sample with the openwork and the trim, 7–10 working days per round.
5. Approval. Your sign-off on fit, pattern, trim and length.
6. Bulk. Production, 25–40 days after approval and deposit.
7. Shipment. Final inspection and packing, then sea, air or express.

Most knit tops are approved in two rounds: the first sample confirms the fit, the collar and the openwork pattern, and the second confirms the yarn, the colours and the trim.

Quality control, stage by stage

• Yarn checked before knitting, including count, shade and hand feel.
• Openwork pattern and hole size measured on the sample and in bulk.
• Collar shape, wave pitch and trim attachment checked on the finished top.
• Sleeve length, cuff opening and shoulder drop measured against the specification.
• Ribbed hem checked for recovery.
• Pilling, shrinkage and colourfastness tested after washing.
• Measurement, colour and label verification, then needle detection and final inspection.

Minimum order quantity

The MOQ is 100 pieces per colourway, and mixed sizes within one colour are accepted, so a 100-piece order can cover a full size run. Custom dyeing, a new openwork pattern or a special trim may require a higher quantity, confirmed at quotation stage.

What we need from you

• A clear photo, a sketch, a sample from another market or a full tech pack.
• The openwork pattern reference, or artwork for a new motif.
• Pantone references for the ground colour and the trim.
• The yarn weight you want.
• Your size range and grading, or we can develop one for approval.
• Collar and cuff trim specification, plus label and packaging requirements.
• 

FAQ

What is the MOQ? 100 pieces per colourway, mixed sizes accepted.

How long does sampling take? 7–10 working days per round.

How long is bulk production? 25–40 days after sample approval and deposit.

Is the openwork punched or knitted? The diamond openwork is knitted into the fabric, so the holes have looped edges and do not fray or run.

Is it see-through? The holes are sized so the top reads as textured rather than transparent, and the coverage of the chest and shoulders is checked on a fit model.

Is it 100% cotton? Yes. It is knitted in 100% combed cotton at 220 gsm.

Will it pill? Combed cotton resists pilling better than carded cotton, and the yarn is selected and tested before bulk.

What length is the sleeve? Five-eighth length, finishing below the elbow.