The top luxury fabrics in the market today consist mainly of traditional materials that have passed the test of time. While natural textiles top the list of high-quality materials, others are from synthetic materials and mineral-based types derived from silica and metal oxides.
Luxury Fabrics Made From Natural Fibres
Even fabrics have luxury genres as well. Some materials define quality, superiority and class. And if you are a fabric expert, you can tell its quality by weight, texture, and the density of its weave. You can also tell by the roughness or smoothness of the fabric’s fibres. Some of the most luxurious materials you will find today are the classics derived from animal hair, silkworms, plants, seeds, and pods.
- Silk: Its fibres are from the cocoons of moth caterpillars. Some of the most expensive ones are Mulberry silk and Sea-silk, which are extremely rare and highly valued.
- Cashmere: The cashmere fibre is from the soft undercoat of some breeds of goats. The top and luxurious ones are from cashmere and pashmina goats.
- Damask: Although the fabric can also be made from wool, linen, cotton, or synthetic fibres, true damask is woven with silk threads and is the most luxurious, the finest and the softest of them all.
- Wool: In its pure form, wool is one of the priciest fabrics. The topmost wool comes from the fine, soft fleece of the South American Vicuna sheep.
- Velvet: The fabric is the epitome of luxury, with the top grade being silk velvet, a fabric popularly used by royalty. Silk velvet is made from silk and is expensive and rare. However, velvet is also produced from other fibres, including cotton, polyester, and rayon.
- Linen: Linen is an expensive and top-quality fabric made from the fibres of the flax plant. There are varying grades of linen, but the quality depends on the type of plant. Less expensive linen includes those made from hemp, cotton and other non-flax fibres.
- Fur: Animal hair is the oldest textile ever known to man. It was a vital material for protection and warmth. Fur was also used for household stuff in pre-historic homes. Today, because of laws against animal cruelty, faux fur has replaced the real one as a popular choice. It is now considered a luxury fabric.
- Leather: This is a top luxury fabric made from tanned animal skin. Also holding the luxury tag, some leather materials are expensive, and of high quality. They include Native American buckskin, crocodile and alligator skins, calf, and ostrich skins.