Which fabric is described as having a soft hand but poor absorbency?

• A. Pique knit
• B. Silver-pile knit
• C. Rib knit
• D. Jacquard Double knit

Answer: (B)

Soft hand means the fabric feels cushioned and smooth to the touch, while absorbency refers to how readily it takes up moisture. A silver-pile knit gives that plush, velvety surface because of its pile structure, which creates a very soft touch. At the same time, the silver fibers and the pile’s composition aren’t thirsty—metallic or synthetic components don’t absorb water well—so the fabric has poor absorbency. The other options tend to be more absorbent or less plush: pique knit is usually cotton-based and fairly absorbent; rib knit is stretchy but also absorbs moisture well; jacquard double knit is dense and less about a soft, plush hand, so it doesn’t match the described combination as well.