What Is Ponte Knit? A Designer's Guide
Ponte is a thick, stable double-knit fabric. It stretches like a knit but holds its shape like a woven, so it works for tailored pieces like wide-leg pants, structured dresses and jumpsuits. It is the fabric we use most at Ripley Rader, and we cut and sew our ponte pieces here in Los Angeles.
What Is Ponte Knit Made Of?
Ponte is usually a blend of rayon or viscose, nylon or polyester, and a little spandex. The rayon gives it a soft hand and a slight drape. The nylon or polyester adds strength. The spandex lets it stretch and recover.
Our signature luxe ponte is 68% viscose, 27% nylon and 5% stretch. We chose it because it sculpts the waist, holds a clean line and stays comfortable all day.
Why Is It Called Ponte?
The full name is ponte di Roma, which means "Roman bridge" in Italian. The name likely comes from where the fabric was first made. Today it is knit around the world, and most people just call it ponte.
How Is Ponte Different From Other Knits?
Most T-shirt fabric is a single knit, made from one layer of loops. Ponte is a double knit. It is made on a machine with two sets of needles, so you get two layers knit together as one fabric.
That double layer is what makes ponte different:
- It is thicker and more opaque, so it doesn't show lines or cling.
- It holds a crease and a clean seam.
- The edges don't curl when cut.
- It looks the same on both sides.
Why Do Designers Like Ponte?
Ponte gives me the shape of a tailored pant with the comfort of something you'd wear on the couch. I can design a sharp wide leg or a fitted bodice, and it still moves with you. With a little care it lasts for years. We recommend dry cleaning, or hand washing cold and laying it flat to dry.
You can see it across our pants, dresses and jumpsuits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ponte good quality?
It depends on the weight and blend. Good ponte feels dense and smooth and snaps back after you stretch it. Thin, cheap ponte can look shiny and pill quickly.
Is ponte warm?
Ponte is a medium-weight fabric. It is comfortable most of the year in Los Angeles and layers well in colder places. It is not as breathable as linen in real heat.
Does ponte wrinkle?
Very little. That is one of the main reasons people love it for work and travel.
Does ponte stretch out?
Good ponte has strong recovery, so it keeps its shape through a full day of wear. See our ponte care guide to keep it looking new.