The Ultimate Fabric Encyclopedia: Your Complete Guide to Choosing Quality Clothing

When you’re shopping for clothing—whether you’re browsing your favorite boutique, searching secondhand treasures, or building a timeless wardrobe—the fabric matters just as much as the brand. The right fabric can make a garment last for decades, while the wrong one may lose its shape after just a few washes.

At Under There Finds, we believe an informed shopper is a smart shopper. This guide will help you understand the most common clothing fabrics, how they feel, how they wear, and what makes each one special.

Natural Fibers

Natural fibers come from plants or animals and are often known for their breathability, comfort, and timeless appeal.

Cotton

Made From: Cotton plant

Feel: Soft, breathable, lightweight

Best For:

• T-shirts
• Jeans
• Dresses
• Everyday basics
• Children’s clothing

Pros

✔ Breathable
✔ Comfortable year-round
✔ Easy to wash
✔ Durable

Cons

✘ Wrinkles easily
✘ Can shrink if improperly dried

Luxury Tip: Look for Pima Cotton, Supima Cotton, or Egyptian Cotton for exceptional softness and durability.

Linen

Made From: Flax plant

Feel: Crisp, airy, textured

Best For:

• Summer dresses
• Resort wear
• Button-up shirts
• Wide-leg pants
• Blazers

Pros

✔ Extremely breathable
✔ Gets softer over time
✔ Eco-friendly
✔ Elegant texture

Cons

✘ Wrinkles very easily
✘ Usually requires steaming

Shopping Tip: Wrinkles are part of linen’s charm—not a flaw.

Hemp

Made From: Hemp plant

Feel: Similar to linen but slightly sturdier

Pros

✔ Sustainable
✔ Extremely durable
✔ Breathable
✔ Naturally antimicrobial

Cons

✘ Can feel stiff when new

Wool

Made From: Sheep

Feel: Warm and insulating

Common Types

• Merino Wool
• Lambswool
• Virgin Wool
• Boiled Wool

Pros

✔ Warm without excessive weight
✔ Moisture-wicking
✔ Wrinkle resistant

Cons

✘ Can itch depending on quality
✘ May require dry cleaning

Merino Wool

One of the softest and finest wools available.

Perfect for:

• Sweaters
• Base layers
• Cardigans
• Luxury knitwear

Unlike traditional wool, Merino rarely feels itchy.

Cashmere

Made From: Cashmere goat

Often considered one of the world’s most luxurious fibers.

Pros

✔ Incredibly soft
✔ Lightweight
✔ Warm
✔ Timeless investment

Cons

✘ Expensive
✘ Can pill if lower quality

Reseller Tip: Always inspect for moth holes before purchasing secondhand.

Mohair

Made From: Angora goat

Known for its fluffy halo appearance.

Pros

✔ Lightweight
✔ Warm
✔ Soft sheen

Cons

✘ Can shed

Alpaca

Made From: Alpaca

Softer than sheep’s wool and naturally hypoallergenic.

Pros

✔ Warm
✔ Lightweight
✔ Less itchy
✔ Durable

Silk

Made From: Silkworm cocoons

One of the oldest luxury fabrics in history.

Pros

✔ Smooth
✔ Breathable
✔ Temperature regulating
✔ Beautiful drape

Cons

✘ Delicate
✘ May require hand washing or dry cleaning

Common silk types include:

• Charmeuse
• Dupioni
• Habotai
• Crepe de Chine
• Organza
• Chiffon

Leather

Made from animal hides.

Types

• Full Grain
• Top Grain
• Genuine Leather
• Suede
• Nubuck

Higher quality leather develops a beautiful patina over time.

Shearling

Leather with the wool still attached.

Common in:

• Winter jackets
• Boots
• Coats

Semi-Synthetic Fabrics

These begin as natural materials but undergo processing.

Rayon

Created from wood pulp.

Pros

✔ Soft
✔ Breathable
✔ Drapes beautifully

Cons

✘ Weak when wet
✘ Can shrink

Viscose

A type of rayon.

Feels silky while remaining affordable.

Modal

Made from beech trees.

Pros

✔ Exceptionally soft
✔ Resistant to shrinking
✔ Breathable

Often used in:

• Pajamas
• T-shirts
• Underwear

Lyocell (TENCEL™)

A modern eco-friendly fabric.

Pros

✔ Sustainable
✔ Soft
✔ Moisture wicking
✔ Wrinkle resistant

A favorite among premium brands.

Cupro

Made from recycled cotton byproducts.

Often called “vegan silk.”

Synthetic Fabrics

These are man-made fibers designed for durability, stretch, and performance.

Polyester

The most common clothing fiber today.

Pros

✔ Wrinkle resistant
✔ Affordable
✔ Durable
✔ Holds color well

Cons

✘ Less breathable
✘ Can retain odors

Nylon

Originally created as a silk replacement.

Common in:

• Jackets
• Athletic wear
• Hosiery
• Outdoor gear

Spandex (Elastane/Lycra)

Adds stretch.

Usually blended with other fibers.

Typical content:

• 2–10%

Perfect for:

• Jeans
• Activewear
• Dresses

Acrylic

Often used as a wool alternative.

Pros

✔ Affordable
✔ Warm
✔ Lightweight

Cons

✘ Pills easily
✘ Less breathable

Acetate

Known for its silky appearance.

Often found in:

• Dress linings
• Formal wear

Popular Fabric Weaves & Textures

Sometimes the fabric name refers to the weave rather than the fiber.

Denim

Usually woven from cotton.

Known for durability and timeless style.

Chambray

Looks similar to denim but is much lighter.

Perfect for spring and summer.

Corduroy

Recognizable by raised ridges called “wales.”

Available in:

• Fine wale
• Wide wale

Velvet

Soft fabric with a luxurious pile.

Can be made from:

• Silk
• Cotton
• Polyester

Velour

Stretchier than velvet.

Often used for lounge sets.

Terry Cloth

Highly absorbent looped fabric.

Common in:

• Robes
• Beachwear
• Towels

Fleece

Soft brushed synthetic fabric designed for warmth.

Sherpa

Fluffy fleece made to resemble sheep’s wool.

Popular in:

• Jackets
• Pullovers
• Vests

Bouclé

Highly textured loops create a sophisticated appearance.

Frequently seen in:

• Chanel-inspired jackets
• Sweaters
• Home décor

Tweed

Classic woven wool fabric with visible texture.

Associated with:

• Heritage fashion
• Blazers
• Hunting jackets

Herringbone

A zigzag weaving pattern.

Common in:

• Wool coats
• Blazers
• Dress pants

Seersucker

Lightweight puckered cotton fabric.

Excellent for hot weather.

Poplin

Smooth, tightly woven cotton.

Perfect for:

• Dress shirts
• Blouses

Oxford Cloth

Slightly textured weave.

The classic fabric for Oxford shirts.

Jacquard

Intricate woven designs created directly in the fabric—not printed.

Brocade

Raised decorative woven patterns often used in formalwear.

Eyelet

Fabric featuring embroidered cut-out holes.

A cottagecore and romantic favorite.

Gauze

Airy, lightweight fabric with a crinkled texture.

Ideal for:

• Beachwear
• Boho tops
• Summer dresses

Crinkle

Fabric intentionally finished with permanent wrinkles for easy-care style.

Rib Knit

Stretchy vertical ribs commonly found on:

• Sweaters
• Tanks
• Cuffs

Waffle Knit

Square textured knit that traps warmth while remaining breathable.

Ponte Knit

A thick, structured knit with excellent stretch.

Popular for:

• Office dresses
• Blazers
• Pants

French Terry

Smooth outside with soft loops inside.

Perfect for:

• Sweatshirts
• Joggers
• Casual wear

Fabric Blends

Many garments combine fibers to capture the best qualities of each.

Popular combinations include:

• Cotton + Spandex = Comfortable stretch
• Linen + Cotton = Softer linen with fewer wrinkles
• Wool + Cashmere = Warm with a luxurious feel
• Polyester + Rayon + Spandex = Soft, stretchy, wrinkle resistant
• Cotton + Polyester = Durable and affordable
• Modal + Spandex = Ultra-soft with excellent stretch

How to Spot High-Quality Fabric

When shopping in person, look for these signs:

• Fabric feels substantial without being heavy.
• Seams are straight and evenly stitched.
• Patterns line up across seams.
• The garment springs back after being gently wrinkled.
• Fibers feel smooth rather than rough.
• Fabric isn’t overly thin or see-through unless intentionally designed that way.

Fabrics Worth Picking Up While Thrifting

If you love secondhand fashion, keep an eye out for:

• 100% Linen
• 100% Silk
• Cashmere
• Merino Wool
• Alpaca
• Mohair
• TENCEL™ Lyocell
• Cupro
• High-quality Denim
• Leather
• Suede
• Bouclé
• Tweed
• Pendleton Wool
• Harris Tweed
• Virgin Wool
• Supima Cotton
• Egyptian Cotton

These materials often hold their value, wear beautifully, and are sought after by shoppers looking for quality over quantity.

Final Thoughts

Learning about fabric content is one of the easiest ways to become a smarter shopper. Whether you’re investing in timeless wardrobe staples or searching the racks at your favorite thrift store, understanding fibers, weaves, and fabric quality will help you recognize hidden gems, avoid fast-fashion disappointments, and build a wardrobe that lasts.

At Under There Finds, we believe that great style starts with quality—and knowing your fabrics is the first step toward shopping with confidence.