There are so many fabrics available for fashion and apparel. From soft cotton to shiny satin, and everything in between. The right fabric depends on what you’re making and who it’s for.
Fashion designers, tailors, couturists, dressmakers, sewers, and accessory makers all rely on these materials, and every day, textile factories around the world produce millions of yards of fabric to satisfy their buyers, who, through online shops and local stores, sell hundreds of thousands of yards as well.
With so much to choose from, it helps to know what each fabric is good for, so when it’s time to buy, you’ll pick the right one for your tailoring or dressmaking project.
Top 11 Fabrics for Fashion and Apparel
Here are the most popular fabrics used in fashion and apparel today, and what each is best for:
1. Sheer Fabrics
Sheer fabrics are see-through. They are soft, light, and great for flowing tops, scarves, and shawls. Some are made from natural fibres like cotton, linen, and silk, and others from man-made, like chiffon, voile, and tulle. Common types include organza, chiffon, and crushed sheer voile.
2. Lace
Lace is one of the most elegant fabrics out there. It comes in many styles and weights, from light and delicate to thick and detailed.
There is a wide variety of lace materials, including stretch, embroidered, and guipure lace. There are also French lace, Swiss lace, Italian lace, Chantilly lace, and metallic lace. Lace is a favourite for wedding dresses, formal wear, and special occasion clothing for both adults and children.
3. Printed Fabrics
Printed fabrics come in endless patterns. Tribal prints, chintz prints, polka-dot prints, animal prints, floral prints, geometric prints, paisley prints, tie-dye prints, and more. Some patterns are loud and bright; others are calm and muted. But the best prints have colour that’s bonded right into the fabric, so it doesn’t fade or wash out easily.
4. Sequined Fabrics
Sequined fabrics are made by sewing or glueing tiny sequins onto fabrics like lace, velvet, satin, and organza, making them sparkle and shine. The tiny sequins come in different shapes: round, square, mermaid-style, and more. These fabric types are perfect for eye-catching tops, dresses, purses, and evening wear.
5. Linen
Linen is made from the flax plant. It is a strong, breathable fabric that’s great for hot-weather wear, because it absorbs body moisture well. Linen comes in lots of colours and textures, and is used for clothing as well as home items like cushions, table linen, and even curtains.
6. Silk
Silk comes from the cocoon of silkworms and is one of the most luxurious fabrics in the world. Mulberry silkworms produce the finest silk, but there are other types too.
People have loved silk for thousands of years, and it was once traded like gold. The most luxurious types include Mulberry, Muga, and Charmeuse silk. Other types, like silk Dupioni and Shantung, have a slightly stiff feel that helps clothes hold their shape. Silk is often used for elegant dresses, bridal wear, suits, and special occasion outfits.
7. Cotton
Cotton is a top choice for clothing and fashion accessory designers everywhere. It comes in many forms, such as denim, cotton blends, broadcloth, canvas, twill, muslin, and more. Cotton can even be woven into other fabrics like corduroy, flannel, and jersey.
The fabric comes in plain colours or bold patterns and is used for everything from casual clothes and sportswear to underwear, t-shirts, and socks.
8. Velvet
Velvet has a super soft, smooth feel and a slight shine. It used to be made only from silk, which made it rare and expensive, but today, velvet is often made from cotton, mohair, or wool, which is just as beautiful but more affordable. Velvet is popular for jackets, trousers, shoes, and elegant bags and purses. Designers love it for its rich, elegant look.
9. Novelty Fabrics
Novelty fabrics are a fun and unique category entirely, and include textiles like:
- Lamé
- Faux fur
- Corded fabrics
- Brushed cotton
- Metallic fabrics
- Embellished fabrics
They often have bold patterns, animal prints, or sparkly textures and are popular for standout outfits and fashion accessories.
10. Stretch Fabrics
Stretch fabrics move with your body, which makes them comfortable and practical. The different types include cotton jersey, mesh, stretch broadcloth, and stretch velvet. These fabrics are made by blending natural fibres with stretchy materials like spandex or Lycra. They are the perfect fabric types for t-shirts, leggings, swimwear, fitted, and beautiful body-hugging dresses.
11. Leather
Leather is a textile material that comes in two main types: real and faux (fake). Real leather has different grades:
Full grain is the highest and most expensive, and is mostly used for furniture, not clothing.
Top grain is soft and smooth, great for bags, shoes, hats, and jackets.
Genuine leather is a step down from top grain. It’s used for jackets, pants, bags, belts, and shoes.
Split grain is lower quality and is often used for cheaper shoes and bags.
Bonded leather is the lowest grade, which is a mix of real and fake leather. It is used for low-cost items like wallets, card folders, and linings.
Know What Your Project Needs
With so many fabrics for fashion and apparel to choose from, the best place to start is to know your project requirements. Is it comfort, structure, shine, glamour, or stretch?
Once you know that, then the right fabric becomes much easier to find.
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