An Overview over different fabrics

Fabric is much more than merely a material that covers our body. Various fabrics are suited for different seasons, occasions, and outfits. The choice of fabric can significantly impact the success of an outfit. Here, you will discover 30 different fabrics and their versatile characteristics

30 Fabric Types

Cotton

Cotton is a natural lightweight to medium weight fabric.

Breathability 9/10

Durability 6/10

Comfort 9/10

Moisture wicking 7/10

Care easy wash, low iron

Best season can be used in any

Clothing types T-shirts, shirts, underwear,

Occassion everyday, casual, home wear

Wool

Wool is generally considered to be a heavyweight fabric from sheeps.

Breathability              7/10

Durability                   8/10

Comfort                     7/10

Moisture wicking      6/10

Care                   gentle wash, dry flat      

Clothing types   coats, sweaters, suits

Best season  winter, autumn

Occassion         outdoor, professional, formal

Cashmere

Cashmere is a lightweight fabric from cashmere goats.

Breathability              7/10

Durability                   5/10

Comfort                     10/10

Moisture wicking      6/10

Care                   gentle hand wash, dry clean      

Clothing types   scarves, sweaters (luxury wear)

Best season  winter

Occassion         formal, luxury (events)

Flannel

Flannel is a natural fibre traditionally made out of cotton and wool, but can also contain of synthetic blends.

Breathability              6/10

Durability                   7/10

Comfort                     8/10

Moisture wicking      5/10

Care                   machine wash, medium heat      

Clothing types   shirts, pajamas

Best season  winter, autumn

Occassion         casual, home, outdoor

Tweed

Tweed is a heavyweight fabric made out of soft, open weave woven wool.

Breathability              5/10

Durability                   8/10

Comfort                     6/10

Moisture wicking      4/10

Care                   dry clean, iron on low heat     

Clothing types   jackets, suits, coats

Best season  winter, autumn

Occassion         professional, formal

Corduroy

Corduroy is a heavyweight fabric traditionally made out of cotton, can also include cotton-polyester blends. A cut pile weave forms parallel cords.

Breathability              5/10

Durability                   7/10

Comfort                     7/10

Moisture wicking      4/10

Care                   gentle wash, low heat    

Clothing types   pants, jackets, skirts

Best season  autumn, winter

Occassion         casual, academic, outdoor

Twill

Twill is originally made out of cotton. Denim and tweed are variations of twill.

Breathability              5/10

Durability                   8/10

Comfort                     6/10

Moisture wicking      5/10

Care                   machine wash, medium heat      

Clothing types   pants, jackets, shirts

Best season  Autumn, Spring

Occassion         casual, professional, outdoor

Jersey

Jersey is a light- to medium-weight fabric originally made out of wool. .

Breathability              7/10

Durability                   6/10

Comfort                     9/10

Moisture wicking      6/10

Care                  machine wash, low heat   

Clothing types   T-shirts, dresses, casual wear

Best season  Spring, Autumn

Occassion         casual, everyday, comfortable events

Leather

Leather is regarded as a heavyweight material made from processed animal hide.

Breathability              3/10

Durability                   9/10

Comfort                     6/10

Moisture wicking      2/10

Care                   sepcialized tools     

Clothing types   shoes, jackets, pants

Best season  winter, autumn

Occassion         rock style, motorcycle, outdoor, adventure

Suede

Suede is a heavyweight material made out of leather with a napped finish.

Breathability              4/10

Durability                   7/10

Comfort                     7/10

Moisture wicking      2/10

Care                   spezialized care     

Clothing types   jackets, shoes, accessories

Best season  Winter, Autumn

Occassion         fashion, casual luxury

Denim

Denim is made out of sturdy cotton twill used for jeans.

Breathability              5/10

Durability                   9/10

Comfort                     6/10

Moisture wicking      4/10

Care                   cold wash, minimal ironing     

Clothing types   jeans, jackets, shirts

Best season  spring, autumn

Occassion         casual, street wear, relaxed settings

Linen

Linen is a lightweight fabric made out of 100% natural cellulose fibre from cotton plant seedpods.

Breathability              10/10

Durability                   6/10

Comfort                     8/10

Moisture wicking      8/10

Care                   gentle wash, prone to wrinkling      

Clothing types   shirts, pants, summer suits, dresses

Best season  summer

Occassion         casual, beach, tropical weather

Canvas

Canvas is a heavyweight plain-weave fabric made from cotton or linen.

Breathability              6/10

Durability                   9/10

Comfort                     6/10

Moisture wicking      5/10

Care                   machine wash, low heat   

Clothing types   jackets, bags, shoes

Best season  Spring, Auutumns

Occassion         causal, outdoor

Silk

Silk is a lightweight fabric made out of natural protein fiber (produced by silkworms)

Breathability              8/10

Durability                   4/10

Comfort                     9/10

Moisture wicking      5/10

Care                   dry clean, delicate wash    

Clothing types   blouses, dresses, scarves, lingerie (luxury wear)

Best season  spring, autumn, summer

Occassion         formal, luxurious, evening events

Velvet

Velvet is a heavyweight fabric originally made out of silk, includes nowadays cotton, polyester and other blends. It's a pile weave with cut loops creating a sodt surface

Breathability              3/10

Durability                   5/10

Comfort                     8/10

Moisture wicking      3/10

Care                   dry clean, careful storage     

Clothing types   evening gowns, blazer

Best season  Winter, Autumn

Occassion         formal, parties, winter, holiday

Satin

Satin is a lightweight fabric originally made out of silk, but includes synthtic blands in modern versions. The weave creates a glossy surface with floating warp threads.

Breathability              4/10

Durability                   6/10

Comfort                     7/10

Moisture wicking      3/10

Care                    gentle wahs, low heat      

Clothing types   evening wear, lingerie, dance costumes, dresses

Best season  all seasons

Occassion         formal, performance, special events

Brocade

Brocade is a heavyweight fabric made out of silk. It's modern version incluedes synthetic blends. It is jacquard-woven with raised patterns

Breathability              4/10

Durability                   6/10

Comfort                     6/10

Moisture wicking      3/10

Care    dry clean, careful storage     

Clothing types   formal jackets, evening gowns

Best season  Autumn, Winter

Occassion         formal, ceremonial, luxury events

Chiffon

Chiffon is a lightweight fabric originally made out of silk. Its modern version can also be made out of polyester. It is a sheer plain weath with twisted yarns.

Breathability              8/10

Durability                   3/10

Comfort                     7/10

Moisture wicking      4/10

Care                   delicate wash, air dry  

Clothing types   dresses, blouses, overlay

Best season  spring, summer

Occassion         formal, wedding, evening events

Crepe

Crepe is a lightweight fabric with a slightly crinkled surface.

Breathability              7/10

Durability                   5/10

Comfort                     7/10

Moisture wicking      5/10

Care                   gentle wash, low heat    

Clothing types   dresses, suits

Best season  Spring, Autumn

Occassion         professional, formal events

Georgette

Georgette is a lightweight crepe fabric featuring twisted yarns in both directions. It was originally crafted from silk, but contemporary versions are also produced using polyester.

Breathability              8/10

Durability                   4/10

Comfort                     7/10

Moisture wicking      5/10

Care                   gentle, wash, air dry     

Clothing types   blouses, dresses, scarves

Best season  spring, summer

Occassion         semi-formal, work, evening

Organza

Organza is a lightweight and sheer fabric traditionally made out of silk, but can also be produced with polyester.

Breathability              7/10

Durability                   3/10

Comfort                     5/10

Moisture wicking      3/10

Care                   delicate wash, careful handling 

Clothing types   wedding dresses, overlay, evening wear

Best season  summer, spring

Occassion         formal, wedding, special events

Polyester

Polyester is a light- to medium-weight fabric made out of petroleum and PET.

Breathability              4/10

Durability                   9/10

Comfort                     5/10

Moisture wicking      5/10

Care                   machine wash, quick dry

Clothing types   athletic wear, jackets, activewear

Best season  all seasons

Occassion         sports, casual, travel

Nylon

Nylon is a lightweight material made out of synthetic fibre (chemicals). It has a smooth, silky surface.

Breathability              4/10

Durability                   8/10

Comfort                     5/10

Moisture wicking      5/10

Care                   machine wash, quick dry

Clothing types   athletic wear, swimwear, windbreakers

Best season  all seasons

Occassion         outdoor activities, sports

Spandex

Spandex is a lightweight material made out of petroleum-based chemicals. It has a smooth and elastic surface

Breathability              5/10

Durability                   6/10

Comfort                     7/10

Moisture wicking      6/10

Care                   machine wash, low heat   

Clothing types   athletic wear, leggings, shapewear

Best season  all seasons

Occassion         sports, fitness, body-conscious wear

Rayon

Rayon is a medium to lightweight made out of celluloses from trees and chemicals (it is semi-synthetic). It has a smooth, soft surface with a matte or lustrous finish.

Breathability              8/10

Durability                   4/10

Comfort                     8/10

Moisture wicking      6/10

Care                   gentle wash, air dray    

Clothing types   dresses, blouses, summer wear

Best season  Summer

Occassion         casual, work, summer events

Viscose

Viscose is a type of rayon. It is a lightweight fabric made from wood pulp (and it is chemically processed). It has a smooth surface

Breathability              7/10

Durability                   4/10

Comfort                     8/10

Moisture wicking      6/10

Care                   gentle wash, air dry      

Clothing types   summer wear: dresses, blouses

Best season  Summer, Spring

Occassion         casual, work, summer events

Modal

Modal is also a type of rayon. It is made out of bio-based regenerated cellulose fibre.

Breathability              8/10

Durability                   6/10

Comfort                     9/10

Moisture wicking      7/10

Care                   machine wash, low heat    

Clothing types   underwear, t-shirts, loungewear

Best season  all seasons

Occassion         everyday, comfortable wear

Neoprene

Neoprene is a medium- to heavyweight material made out of synthetic rubber. It has a textured surface

Breathability              3/10

Durability                   6/10

Comfort                     6/10

Moisture wicking      4/10

Care                   special care, avoid high heat   

Clothing types   sports, swimwear, tech

Best season  all seasons

Occassion         fitness, water sports, performance

Tencel

Tencel is a medium- to lightweight fabric made out of cellulose fibre from sustainably harvested wood.

Breathability              8/10

Durability                   6/10

Comfort                     8/10

Moisture wicking      7/10

Care                   gentle wash, air dry

Clothing types   shirts, dresses, sustainable wear

Best season  Summer, Spring

Occassion         casual, work, eco-friendly events

Bamboo (Bamboo Viscose/Rayon)

Bamboo is a lightweight fabric made of celluloses from bamboo plant pulps. It has a luxurious feel with a soft, smooth surface, a silky texture and natural sheen.

Breathability              9/10

Durability                   5/10

Comfort                     9/10

Moisture wicking      8/10

Care                   gentle wash, low heat    

Clothing types   eco-wear, underwear, t-shirts

Best season  all seasons

Occassion         everyday, eco-conscious events

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Conclusion

In conclusion, the choice of fabric plays a crucial role in determining the characteristics and functionality of clothing. Different fabrics not only affect the durability and maintenance of garments but also dictate their suitability for various occasions. For instance, breathable materials like cotton are ideal for casual wear, while luxurious fabrics such as silk are better suited for formal events. By understanding the properties of different fabrics, consumers can make informed decisions that enhance their wardrobe and ensure that their clothing meets their lifestyle needs.

Sources:

All images: freepik.com (premium) or wix.com (light)

Information: claude.com