Ponte

Ponte di Roma is a double-knit construction in which two layers of single-jersey fabric are interlocked during knitting, producing a fabric that is heavier, more stable, and more opaque than either layer alone. The interlocked structure suppresses the curling edges and misshapen seams common in single-jersey knits, making ponte suitable for tailored garment construction techniques — front creases, clean hems, welt pockets — that require dimensional stability. At 250–350 g/m², ponte has enough body to hold structured silhouettes (pencil skirts, straight-leg trousers) without a lining. The standard fiber blend is 60–70% polyester, 25–35% rayon/viscose, and 5–10% elastane; the rayon contributes drape, the polyester provides stability and wash performance, and the elastane delivers the four-way stretch. Cotton-ponte blends sacrifice some stability for a natural fiber hand; these are used in casual tops and cardigans.