So you have finally made up your mind about starting your clothing line. Everything is in motion, but you are still determining which fabric is best for your clothing line. Well, you are in the right place! This guide will be the ultimate resource to help you decide your best fabric.
Before we go further, we must understand why fabric selection is such a big deal. Imagine you are baking a cake. For the cake to be soft and tasty, you need a perfect base, which is the fabric in our clothing line. The right fabric sets the stage for everything else, including how your design looks, feels, and functions.
The correct fabric chosen can help your brand stand out in the crowd; the correct fabric will help you build your audience and reputation. Essentially right fabric selection can make or break the brand.
To be honest, no one wants to wear clothes that are not comfortable. And what would decide the level of comfort that your brand provides? It is the fabric that you use!
In a nutshell, fabric selection is essential as it affects everything, starting from how your clothes look and feel and how successful your clothing line will be. Let us know more about the types of fabric that you can choose from, which will decide the main theme of your brand.
Understanding Fabric Types
If I had to categorize fabrics, I’d mainly use three types, namely
- Natural fabric
- Synthetic fabric
- Blended fabric
#1.Natural Fabrics:
As the name suggests, these fabrics are made from natural sources. Some natural fabrics that you could use for your brand are :
- Cotton: Cotton is a soft staple fiber that grows in a ball, or protective case, around the seeds of the cotton plants. It is usually fluffy in its physical characteristics. Cotton is one of the softest fabrics that one can own. Cotton is absorbent, because of the space between the fibers.
Because of its durability and breathability, it usually becomes everyone’s go-to fabric, especially in summer. Cotton fabric can be used to make dresses or shirts because honestly speaking, who doesn’t love a cute cotton shirt?
- Wool: Have you ever been in extremely chilly weather, and craved that warm hug? Well, that’s what a good wool fabric does for you! Gives you a warm hug. But wool can also be a little itchy for some.
Obtained from the fleece of animals like sheep, camel, rabbit, and more, wool is a natural fabric with great durability and can trap the natural air and keep you thermally insulated.
Wool has a lot of varieties like Merino wool which is also the most common wool, then we have Cashmere wool, which is one of the most expensive wools, Mohair wool, Alpaca wool, and Virgin wool, obtained from lamb’s first shearing. Then we have Angora wool which is very soft.
Wool is mainly produced in Iran, China, Australia, and the United States.
We have detailed fabric guides for Alpaca wool and Angora wool, if you are interested, you can read more about our fabric guides for Alpaca wool and Angora wool.
- Silk: Silk is obtained from the cocoon of silkworms and is known for its durability, strength, and shine. It’s like a royal treatment for your wardrobe; its smooth and shiny texture and the lovely drape that it provides give everything an elegant look.
However, the fabric is a little delicate and thus needs extra care, like dry cleaning, which helps it maintain its shine.
Silk is biodegradable and thus has minimal impact on the environment. Silk is one of the strongest natural fibers, and its elasticity is moderate to poor.
Silk is mainly produced in China, India, and other countries like Uzbekistan, Brazil, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, DPR Korea, and Iran.
- Linen: Linen is a natural fabric obtained from the stems of flax plants. Garments made of Linen are the best fit for hot and humid climates. Linen is better than cotton because cotton retains moisture for a significant amount of time. Still, linen, on the other hand, dries up very quickly, thus helping reduce heat retention in extremely warm conditions.
However, linen has a drawback, as manufacturing linen is more time and resource-intensive than cotton. Linen can be used to make clothing elements like shirts, skirts, pants(linen pants are a lot in trend!), and many more. It is also used for lingerie, underwear, nightgowns, and dressing robes.
The major producers of linen are China, Italy, the United States, Belgium, and Ireland.
#2. Synthetic Fabrics:
These fabrics are made by humans with the help of certain chemicals. Synthetic fibers currently represent over 64% of all fiber usage globally.
- Polyester: It is made from petroleum-based chemicals. Its name is shortened to represent a synthetic artificial polymer known as PET (polyethylene terephthalate). The fabric is highly breathable and is widely popular for its high strength and durability. It is popular for textile products that withstand daily, strong, and repeated movements, such as sportswear and uniforms. Polyester has other benefits: polyester does not get wrinkled easily and thus needs very little maintenance.
Polyester in making apparel might help reduce costs, but it is not very comfortable clothing, particularly when you compare polyester with cotton. Any apparel product made out of cotton can be made out of polyester, like shirts, tops, dresses, or anything else.
If you are interested to learn more about Polyester, read our ultimate guide to polyester.
- Nylon: Nylon was originally developed as an alternative to silk and quickly gained popularity due to its durability and versatility. Suppose you are planning to have an activewear clothing line. In that case, nylon can be a great fit, as nylon has amazing moisture-wicking properties, absorbs very little water, and thus dries up quickly, making it the perfect garment for athletes and those engaged in high-intensity activities. Since nylon has a smooth and silky finish, it is mostly used in manufacturing hosiery and lingerie. If you are interested to learn more about Polyester, read our step-by-step guide to Nylon fabric.
- Spandex: Spandex is also known as Lycra or elastane, and the name is often mistaken for a brand’s name, but Spandex is the name of the fabric.
- Spandex is known for its great elasticity. It can stretch up to 5 times its original length and thus is the perfect pick for form-fitting clothing.
- Due to its lightweight and breathable nature, spandex has become people’s favorite over time. However, the fiber is costly, requiring specialized manufacturing processes to produce its great elasticity and stretchability.
- So it is recommended that you choose Spandex or Spandex blended fabric only when you have a higher budget.
If you are interested to learn more about Polyester, read our step-by-step guide to Spandex fabric.
#3. Fabric terminology:
Before we go further, it is important to know some basic terminologies used in the world of fabrics. They might initially seem a little technical, but let us break it down for you.
- GSM: GSM stands for Grams per Square Meter. Imagine having a meter-long fabric, and GSM tells you how heavy the fabric is. There are two types of it: Low GSM and High GSM. A fabric has a Low GSM when it is light in weight and a High GSM when it is heavier, like a plush hoodie or a winter blanket.
- Drape refers to how a fabric flows when hanged or held in the air. A silky smooth fabric will flow very nicely, while cardboard if hung in the air, would not. So, the silk fabric has a good flow, whereas our cardboard does not. The drape of a fabric is important as it decides how the garment will look after it is made from a certain fabric. It decides whether the garment would cling softly or have a rigid appearance.
- Weave: Weave refers to the arrangement of the fabric threads and the way they are put together to create the fabric. Fabrics like denim have tight weaves; the threads are closer together, and fabrics like linen have loose weaves, as the threads are far apart, thus making the fabrics airy and breezy.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Fabrics
Although these are not all the factors that you need to keep in mind, certainly these factors are the bare minimum that one must keep in mind while choosing the fabrics. Since you are here, let me guide you through.
- Purpose of the garment: Different occasions call for different types of garments. So, it is essential that you first finalize what occasion the garment is for. Here are some recommendations for garments based on occasion:
- Everyday wear: If you are curating a clothing line for everyday wear, you must remember that comfort is the key. Go for soft cotton or smooth linens that are not very harsh on the skin and can be worn all day. The customers would want fabrics that are durable and can withstand frequent washing. Streetwear is a very popular niche that has emerged in the post-COVID world. If you want to launch your streetwear brand, sign up here.
- Special occasion outfits: If you design outfits for days when people want to feel extra, like a fancy party or a wedding, you should target garments with flair. Go for smooth silks, satin, or chiffon, which drape beautifully and look elegant. If you want to launch your fast fashion collection, sign up here.
- Formal wear: Good formal wear is all about the perfect structure or shine. Go for good quality wool or linen to create suits that give one’s body proper structure. If curating formal skirts, go for fabrics that give a luxurious feel, like velvet, cotton, or chiffon.
- Activewear: Making clothes for people on the move? Go for breathable fabrics that feel easy on the body and are stretchable. You can use fabrics like spandex or polyester blends, which are great for making sports bras and leggings and have extraordinary moisture-wicking abilities. If you are interested in launching an activewear collection, sign up here.
- Seasonality: Seasons play an important role in deciding the kind of fabrics that your customers would want during a particular season.
- Summer: For those living in places with hot weather, these customers would want something breathable and a fabric that does not stick to one’s body. We recommend that you go for light, soft cotton or linens. In terms of color, you can choose bright or light colors that look cute and make people wearing those colors look warm and happy. We suggest that you try to choose fabrics that allow the air to flow and let the moisture evaporate quickly.
- Winter: Fabrics that provide warmth and proper insulation are ideal for chilly winter days. Wool, fleece, and thicker cotton are the best at trapping the heat internally and avoiding the cold outside. Some specific types of wool can also be a little itchy, so refer to the kinds mentioned above.
- Understanding the seasonality and curating clothes can help you create some of the most comfortable and ideal clothing for your customers.
- Target Market: It is essential to know who will wear your clothes, or better, you should know who you are making them for. To know that, you need to figure out your target market. The points written below will come in handy for you.
- Market Positioning: You need first to decide whether you are making a luxury brand or designing for something that is budget-friendly. Luxury lines often use fabrics like cashmere wool or organic cotton, which are a little expensive. In contrast, the affordable lines opt for less expensive fabrics like synthetic cotton or synthetic blends that mimic the textures of the expensive fabrics.
- Regional Preferences: It is very important to understand where your customers live. The place’s weather will help you decide whether to make light, airy, and breathable clothes or design clothes for chilly weather. A brand in the colder regions would need more insulating options.
- Demographics: Age, gender, and lifestyle play a massive role in deciding the material that will be suitable for your customers. Demographics also help you finalize the kind of people you will design for. Young kids want something light and breezy, while older kids might want to go with luxurious and natural fabrics like wool or silk
- Sustainability: It is 2024, and people want more eco-friendly options; therefore, sustainability has become a very important aspect in fabric selection. By choosing sustainable options, you are not just designing clothes for people but also creating a positive impact on the planet.
- Eco-friendly fabrics: We recommend that you opt for organic fabrics like organic cotton, organic hemp, or even wool. There are always many options when it comes to the choice of fabric. We recommend you choose some eco-friendly fabric materials and do your bit for the environment. Eco-friendly fabrics could also be your brand’s USP( Unique Selling Point).
- Certifications: While looking for sustainable options, look for some certifications like GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) or OEKO-TEX. These assure you of the authentication of the fabric and let you be at peace while meeting specific environmental and ethical standards. Learn more about different certifications here.
- Recycled and upcycled fabrics: With this being a generation where everyone wants to follow trends, you should also go with the flow. Using recycled materials to make fabrics has become a trend these days. Polyester fabric is made from plastic bottles, recycled nylon is produced from old fishing nets, and many more.
- Cost and Budget: Money is crucial to any business. Balancing quality with affordability is the key to any successful business.
- Bulk purchase: Buying yards in bulk can be fruitful in reducing the cost, but remember, it only helps when you are producing a bulk of garments as well. Be careful not to over-purchase because the leftover fabric would become deadstock and take up your storage and budget space.
- Balancing quality with affordability: If you want to go for high-quality fabrics, know that they will make a hole in your pockets; however, they can also help elevate your clothing line and justify a higher price point. But if you are on a tight budget, you can try blending expensive fabrics with more affordable ones, which will help you cut costs without sacrificing much on the quality.
- Tips for Fabric Selection: Now that you finally know something about fabrics and have an idea of the kind of fabric that you might want for your clothing line, let me give you some tips about fabric selection.
- Order samples first: Always test small samples of fabrics first before committing to a huge purchase. Ordering samples will let you feel the fabric and see how it behaves, and that way, you will also get an idea about which fabric is suitable for the kind of designs you want to curate.
- Colorfastness: Wash the fabric sample thoroughly to check if the color fades or bleeds with each wash, and you will know how well the fabric holds up in the laundry.
- Durability and shrinkage: To make a clothing line for everyday wear, check the fabric’s durability. Everyday wear fabrics should be able to bear a lot of wear and tear. Also, try pulling, stretching, and rubbing the fabric, which will give you an idea of how strong the material is. Some fabrics shrink just after the first wash, so try to wash fabrics first and test them well.
- Understanding fabric labels: What are fabric labels now? Fabric labels provide you with all the information about the fabric that you are using. They are like the nutritional information that you see on packaged food items.
Look for the percentage of fibers used in a fabric, also known as the fiber content. For example, a label might say 100% cotton, (80% cotton, 20% Polyester) and many more. The percentage content tells you about the fabric’s breathability, stretch, and durability.
Look at the care instructions for the fabric. Some fabrics require special care, like hand washing or air drying. So, choose fabrics according to your convenience.
- Building relationships with suppliers: Building good connections is one of the most important ways your business can prosper. Having suppliers that you can rely on makes your work a lot easier. A good relationship with your supplier means you can trust the quality, get comparative pricing, and deliver on time.
A friendly reminder: Don’t trust suppliers that easily, and before buying anything, try to ask all the important questions and negotiate well. Read what questions to ask a clothing supplier.
- Budget management: Managing the budget of your fabric is all about balancing quality with affordability. We recommend contacting your suppliers to learn about their MOQs, MCQs, and MOVs. If you are unsure what these terms mean, read the following: What is MOQ?
- Always set aside a buffer amount to purchase fabrics & garments, at least 10% of the planned budget, to take care of any contingency.
That was all – The ultimate guide to fabric selection! I have covered everything in this blog, from some fabric terminologies( now you know that GSM is not some secret code, but a fabric terminology) to selecting suitable materials based on seasonality, sustainability, and target market.
Remember the tips: fabric sampling and maintaining good supplier relations will significantly help you. Try making connections and always listen to the problems that your customers have regarding your clothing line because that will help you do better in the business!
Know that the fabrics you choose are more than just a material for your garments. It will define your clothing line’s identity and set the standards for its quality. The suitable fabric will turn your brand from ‘meh’ to ‘a must have.’
Keep the above points in your head as you start planning your following collection. Go ahead and order those samples, read the labels (really well), and ask away all your questions to our supplier.
Please get the suitable fabric, and may your collection be as unique as you are!
If you are looking to start a clothing brand, we recommend that you read our guide – how to start a clothing brand.
If you have already started a fashion brand and you are looking for suppliers, do read our guide on how to find clothing manufacturers and do not forget to download our checklists. If you want to get in touch with us, please connect with us here.
We also have a separate section – Commonly asked questions about the most expensive clothing brands, it is worth checking out.Wanna get in touch with us. You can also Book a 1-on-1 Call Session BOOK NOW
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