The Mesh Behind Our Riviera Polo Shirt At the heart of the Riviera Polo Shirt is a distinctive open cotton mesh, designed to maximise airflow in warm weather. Unlike traditional piqué, its warp-knit construction allows air to circulate freely, making it lightweight, breathable and exceptionally soft against the skin. Developed in 1955 by Peter Hill, the great-grandson of our founder Thomas Hill, the fabric was created using revived lacemaking machines, drawing on Sunspel’s heritage of textile innovation. More than 70 years later, this distinctive mesh remains the defining feature of the Riviera Polo Shirt.