If you ever take a look at your clothing tags, you may notice that certain materials seem to keep appearing on lots of different items! In this week’s blog, I’m going to cover four popular fabrics used ubiquitously in the global fashion industry: cotton, polyester, spandex and rayon.
Why does fabric type matter?
There are a number of reasons why you’ll want to pay attention to the type of fabric used when choosing clothing. Each fabric has different properties that require different methods of care. And if you have an interest in clothes and fashion, knowing about the most commonly used fabric types will also help you be a more knowledgeable shopper.
In this week’s blog, I’m going to cover four very popular fabrics used ubiquitously in the global fashion industry: cotton, polyester, spandex and rayon.
1. Cotton
You probably could have guessed it - cotton is one of the most popular textiles for clothing in the world. Cotton can be characterized as a relatively durable, breathable, comfortable fabric type. It is the main fabric used in countless items, from t-shirts to towels, jeans, sweaters and more. Cotton is a natural fiber that absorbs moisture.
One important thing to consider with cotton is that it does shrink when washed/dried, so if you fall in the middle between two sizes, you may want to order a size up! Another tip for caring for cotton clothing - and something I try to do for most of my clothes in general - is less drying. Washing items with cold water and on gentle/delicate cycles, and hang drying them whenever possible helps preserve these items in their original form.
2. Polyester
Polyester is a very versatile, durable, synthetic fabric type that is easy to take care of. It is the main fabric used in lots of clothing, from blouses to trousers, coats, hats, evening/formal attire, and even medical/nursing scrubs. Polyester has dominated the fashion world because it is relatively easy to produce and care for. It is not a very absorbent fabric, unlike cotton. Polyester also has unique perks such as tending to not wrinkle or shrink! This means that you generally don’t have to worry about ironing, and you don’t have to worry about size changes after washing or drying.
3. Spandex
Spandex, sometimes also known as lycra or elastane, is a synthetic fabric that is highly stretchy, elastic, and breathable. Spandex is not needed in large quantities to achieve the desired stretchiness in articles of clothing. You’ll most likely see spandex comprising just a small percentage of the overall fabric composition, as small quantities can be woven into other materials to create the desired effect. For example, spandex may often be used in small quantities with a fabric like polyester to create a slightly stretchier, softer piece. Being a synthetic fiber like polyester, spandex has similar properties such as being wrinkle resistant. Spandex is found in popular items from tights to leggings, yoga pants, and more formal wear including dresses and jumpsuits.
4. Rayon
Rayon is an interesting fabric that is also quite ubiquitous in the fashion world. It is characterized as a semi-synthetic fabric, because it comes from natural materials (cellulose from wood), but rayon production involves chemicals as well. Being a semi-synthetic fabric, rayon shares characteristics with both synthetic and non-synthetic fabrics. Like cotton, rayon has a tendency to shrink, but is considered to be quite comfortable. Like polyester, rayon tends to retain color well and does not wrinkle. Therefore, you may see rayon in a wide variety of items from shirts to blouses, sweaters, dresses, and more. When caring for items made of rayon, it’s best to not use high levels of heat for washing and drying.
That being said, always be sure to check the care instructions for any item of clothing. Regardless of fabric type, it’s best to machine wash most clothes on gentle cycles, and hang dry them whenever you can to preserve them for as long as possible!
What helpful/interesting facts have you learned about clothing and fabric types?
1 comment
Very informative! Personally I only wear polyester since it is wrinkle free and doesn’t shrink, and it comes in so many soft and silky varieties, which feels wonderful on my skin and body. Ultra-low maintenance and supreme comfort. When I play tennis with cotton shorts the water is held in the fabric and I get and stay very wet! A poly-cotton blend could also be pretty good.