The term “fabric” resembles our daily lives. We use fabric for everything, from our favorite sweatshirts to the doormats. There are literally countless types of fabric materials in the market. Whether you are a business, a sewer, or just a normal consumer, you must know these fabric types. It will help you make an informed decision about your daily life. Knowing various fabrics, you can easily choose the best one to fit the occasion. Let’s, without wasting another second, start learning. Here is an expert-written blog that deals with all types of clothes and materials. It also discusses the perks and limitations of every type to help you make an informed decision.
First, What is Fabric
Let’s start with a simple question: What is fabric? In simple terms, fabric is integral to clothing. Fibers make up the base clothing material, which manufacturers further process. They knit and weave yarn into fabric, using it to produce outfits. In general, people measure fabric using GSM or grams per square meter. They consider the weight and thickness of the fabric to determine its actual cost.
Different Types of Fabric
In broad terms, a variety of fabrics is classified into two major categories:
- Natural Fabric
As the name suggests, people source natural fabric from natural materials, such as insects, plants, and animals, including cotton, silk, and wool.
- Synthetic Fabric
In contrast, manufacturers prepare synthetic fabric, such as nylon and polyester, artificially in labs and industries.
To be honest, there are countless types of clothing material, and it’s impossible to summarize them in a single blog. However, our experts have tried to compile the prominent from the lists.
Cotton
Cotton is the most common and versatile fabric. It is soft and sustainable, making it ideal for various purposes. Cotton is made from cotton plants grown in black soil worldwide. The fabric is best for extreme summer since it is breathable and absorbs sweat. It is also easy to maintain; you only need to clean it with a mild detergent. The only limitation is that cotton does not stretch as much as other synthetic options. Manufacturers use this all-rounder fabric to make t-shirts, dresses, shirts, household clothes, and suits.
Wool
Wool is one of the oldest fabrics. Since the primitive age, people have sourced wool from fleece animals such as sheep and mountain goats. It is the best natural fabric for chilly temperatures. The fabric regulates the temperature, insulating the skin against outside temperature. The fabric is perfect and preferred for winter clothing like coats, caps, cardigans, etc.
Silk
One of the most expensive and luxurious fabrics is silk. In 6000 BC, a Chinese emperor’s wife discovered silk for the first time. Since then, Chinese silk has maintained a position in the global market, giving origin to historical silk routes. People obtain silk from silkworms that feed on mulberry leaves. Designers use the fabric to create cultural and ethnic wear and contemporary fashion. However, the cost is high and cannot be afforded easily. That’s why textile owners and designers have shifted to other options like satin.
Chiffon
Chiffon was invented in the 1700s in Europe and is popular for its light and sheer appeal. In general, fabric suppliers and manufacturers use a blend of polyester, nylon, or silk to create it. It is perfect for creating flowy, shiny summer dresses. In southern Asia, chiffon is widely used to stitch ethnic sarees for women.
Denim
One of the most popular fabrics in the modern world is denim. It is stylish, durable, stretchable, and hugs the body. Denim is generally blue, but there are dye options available as well. Rather than being a fabric itself, people consider denim an art made from fabric. Manufacturers blend natural and artificial cloth types to create it. The most common version is made from 100% cotton, while others combine it with lycra or spandex. At present, there is a cloth material similar to denim fabric available in the market.
Velvet
Popular since ancient times, velvet has once again entered the market. It is a durable, lustrous material that gives the fabric the desired feel. It is a synthetic material that feels soft and plush. You can easily clean the fabric by pouring mild detergent into lukewarm water. However, you need to stop scrubbing to ensure that velvet stays longer.
Organza
Organza is another sheer fabric that originates from silk. It’s lightweight and thick and can be styled into different styles and outfits. The fabric’s lightweight yet flowy texture gives it the desired shape. In modern times, organza is popular for ethnic wedding gowns, sarees, blouses, etc.
Linen
Many people consider linen synthetic fibers, but it is a natural fabric. It originated from the stalk of the flax plant, which is found in Belgium. Quite similar to cotton, linen is much heavier and stronger. The fabric is breathable and can be styled diversely.
Rayon
Rayon, also known as artificial silk, is a man-made fabric made from cellulose. It feels delicate and gentle on the skin. The best part is that it is breathable and absorbent and replicates the authenticity of silk. You can use it to style different outfits, like blouses, tops, and ethnic dresses.
Leather
Who else in the world doesn’t know about the elegance of leather? People obtain leather from tanned animal skins, including those of goats, buffalo, snakes, and rhinos. Manufacturers can customize it into different styles and colors. Common applications are wallets, belts, purses, handbags, shoes, etc.
Georgette
If you are looking for a sheer material that perfectly fits the body, go for georgette. There are two types: organic and artificial. While the organic offers comfort, the other offers you adaptability. This fabric is widely used in Bollywood-style sarees all over the world. The only concern is durability since the fabric can fade and tear away easily.
Vinyl Fabric
People know vinyl fabric by different names, like PVC and faux leather, and often consider it a great alternative to genuine leather. As the name suggests, manufacturers use it to make biker and winter garments. The best part is that you can get leather benefits without animal cruelty. However, there are still uncertainties about the fabric’s longevity in extreme weather conditions. There’s one piece of advice: don’t wash the fabric repeatedly. Rather, you can use a damped cloth to clean out the stain.
Polyester
You might be wrong if you think about polyester’s consistency. More than a fabric, ‘polyester’ refers to synthetic textiles. Invented in the 1970s, polyester is often considered a ‘miracle fabric.’ The primary advantage is that manufacturers produce polyester cheaply while it remains durable. However, there are disadvantages as well; polyester is not sustainable and can cause non-biodegradable waste in the long term.
Spandex
Exceptionally known for its stretchability, spandex is also called lycra and elastane. The quality makes it perfect for activewear and fitness wear. Do you know what the best part is that you can use it with other materials to add to the outfit’s texture?
Satin
Often used as an alternative to silk, satin is a lustrous and glossy fabric. You might be amazed to hear that silk is traditionally the main source of satin manufacturing. However, manufacturers and scientists can currently process satin in labs and industries, reducing the cost.
Nylon
Nylon is the principal element of synthetic cloth. In earlier times, manufacturers used nylon to make tents and parachutes. However, in recent years, the use of nylon has expanded to bikers’ jackets, windcheaters, etc.
Cotton Fleece
Cotton fleece is a combination of cotton and fleece. In simple terms, the fabric is smooth on one end and warm on the other side. The best part is its insulation property, which makes it perfect for tracksuits.
Lace
One of the most designer types of cloth that reflects elegance is lace. The material is delicate and, thus, needs to be handled with care. For example, be careful while washing and ironing. However, it is graceful, and you can use it versatilely, like dresses, tops, etc.
Mixed Fabric
Besides the above types, manufacturers offer other mixed fabrics in the market. Mixed fabrics blend two or more fabrics that bring durability and elegance, such as poly chiffon or poly georgette. The main purpose of mixed fabric is to reduce the cost and increase the worth of the products.
Where Can I Buy Clothes?
Now, the main question arises: Where can you buy quality cloth material? Obviously, the best apparel supplier in your region. When you trust reliable cloth manufacturers, they offer you a variety of clothes that fit your purpose. You can further check the review of the wholesaler and supplier to make an informed decision.
Way Forward
Those mentioned above are just prominent clothes types; endless options are available. You can explore more variety from a trusted textile brand or your local market. Learn more about each fabric kind to ensure you choose the best for your needs.